Volvo MOT pass rates hit 91% for first half of 2009

According to statistics issued by VOSA, Volvo Trucks’ Dealer Network has achieved a national UK initial pass rate for MOT annual tests of 91.0%, for the six months to June 30th 2009.

The Volvo figures include not just Volvo trucks, but also trailers and non-Volvo vehicles prepared and tested by the Volvo Dealer Network.

Indeed, the pass rate for June itself is 92.1% (1.75% better than May 2009) and reflects a rising trend in the Volvo Dealer Network as a whole. In fact, Volvo’s Dealers outperformed the general initial pass rate trend for the full year 2008 by achieving a 2.97% improvement over the course of the year.

The Volvo Truck Dealer Network conducted around 11,500 MOT tests in the first six months of 2009.

According to VOSA’s official figures, the Volvo figure of 91% compares favourably with the UK national average pass rate of 73.9% for the same period.

Some Volvo Dealers are consistently returning monthly MOT pass rates around 95%. In addition, individual depots have achieved 100% first time pass rates for two or more months running this year. For example, A Culpin & Sons of Spalding and the Lincoln depot of Crossroads Truck & Bus have both recorded 100% pass rates for consecutive months this year.

According to Volvo Trucks’ Managing Director Göran Nyberg, the Volvo Dealer Network is very focused on MOT pass rates. “We are working very hard to continually improve MOT pass rates as they affect customers’ Operator Compliance Risk Scores (OCRS). VOSA themselves say that improving MOT initial pass rates is a good way for an operator to improve their OCRS. We have dedicated MOT Technicians and some Volvo Dealers have Designated Premises with their own VOSA approved Test facilities.”

“These excellent MOT pass rate figures are the result of the training and investment Volvo and our Dealers are making in the ongoing programme to deliver consistent and high quality customer service across Europe,” says Göran, adding: “We recommend customers use our Preventive Maintenance or full Contract Maintenance programmes. That way, our Dealers build up an intimate knowledge of their vehicles as they carry out inspections and servicing and this helps in achieving the optimum initial pass rate. It means that customers benefit from fewer journeys to the Test station and improved vehicle uptime. Overall, when we conduct our annual customer survey, it confirms that our Dealers’ focus on MOT pass rates has been a factor in significantly improving customer satisfaction ratings across the UK, year on year.”