VOSA’s troubled MoT Computerisation project has been short-listed for ‘Best Project’ at the Government Computer Awards.

The MOT Computerisation was started in 2005 in partnership with Siemens IT Solutions, and rolled out to 18,700 private MoT garages in the UK. However, it crashed three times last year, leaving the garages to resort to emergency testing procedures.

Despite the scheme’s initial teething problems, 75% of garages have now said that the MoT Computerisation has had a positive effect on their business, according to a recent independent MORI survey.

Alex Fiddes, VOSA’s private vehicle director, said: “Transforming the old paper-based system into one fit for the 21st century has been a massive task, but it’s one that has been taken on with relish by both our staff and those at Siemens. It is a testament to their skill and hard work, and the flexibility of the garage owners and workers, that MoT Computerisation has been such a success.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Madame Tussaud’s in London on April 26.