The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has won an award for its MOT computerisation.

The system, which had major teething problems when it launched in 2005, won the operational delivery award at the Civil Service Awards.

Stephen Tetlow, VOSA chief executive, said the award “recognised how we have been striving hard to deliver real benefits for the motor and transport industries and for private citizens”.

It is given to an operational delivery where customers needs have been identified in design and implantation of the policy and services to citizens have been demonstrably improved.

During its implementation in 2005, MOT testing stations complained it was beset with problems and putting their businesses at risk.

RMI also spoke out against VOSA at the time urging MOT computerisation to stop until it could be proved the system could cope, after a computer crash crippled the MOT network.