Testing and plating expert advice
Page 19
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• Despite all the information and advice available through the trade Press, and in such publications as the "Goods Vehicle Tester's Manual" and "Plating and Testing of Goods Vehicles—Guide to Operators-, the plating and testing scheme has thrown up much confusion among vehicle users. A clue to the extent of the uncertainty that exists is provided by a new book that devotes some 70 pages to questions and answers on the whole subject of inspections carried out at #1,1oT Goods Vehicle Testing Stations.
Rather surprisingly, the book—entitled
Motor Vehicle Testing and Plating —is written
by a senior engineer of the Ministry of Transport. But the author, C. C. Toyne—who was for some years a senior area mechanical engineer and is now superintending engineer at MoT headquarters—stresses that the information given in his book reflects his personal views and is not necessarily the official MoT view or an authoritative interpretation of the law relating to vehicle maintenance.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Motor Vehicle Testing and Plating is the crossreference to regulations such as Plating and Testing, Construction and Use and Lighting indicating their relevance in the various sections of the test. The author has taken each of the inspection items in the MoT test and gives valuable guidance and information. Undoubtedly, material for the book has been collected from many sources including questions from operators put to the Ministry of Transport, and the contents range from very simple to fairly advanced questions and answers.
Many of the answers give useful advice on vehicle-maintenance practices and the book will be a worthwhile addition to the reference material used by all grades of personnel in the transport industry from managers to fitters. It is published by Liffon Engineering Services, 13 Ramsey Road, London, W3, and costs 10s, or lOs 9d when obtained by post from the publishers offices at 247 Western Avenue, London, W3. A.J.W.