LPG leak spray

Maybe it leaked

Another complete waist of money if you ask me, like the tow bar tester, used it less than 5 times since its introduction, even DVSA trainers said we should have used a tow bar light board, for gods sake we're mechanics not office workers.

Yes David I was there at the time, and many members present at that time wanted to use a tow bar light board and DVSA opposed it if I remember correctly. DVSA might of agreed an alternative cheaper method for the check of leak detector, but unless the scheme come back and say it was a worth while investment, it's just another cost to the scheme that was a waist of money, whether cheaper or not. 

Not quite correctly, it was the DfT that opposed it saying that a simple light bar maybe wouldn't work with later can bus systems. Shame their alternative don't work with them either.

Politics at play again.

I agree nitros44 with your view above about the tow bar tester, but like I said to the DVSA trainer last week, he's retiring in April this year, so have a lifetime of experience with the scheme etc, when the manufacturers started off installing electronic park brakes, they were brand new and nobody had any experience with them, then DVSA now but VOSA back then came out with a special notice and told us that park brake checks no longer required the use of an assistant?

Really?

I pointed out to the trainer that back here in the real world the manufacturers still manufacturer mechanical park brakes with their levers and still require the same checks, especially on the older high mileage vehicles, the trainer agreed, yet as I pointed out to the trainer, there is more to the mot scheme than sitting behind a desk writing books and journals, somebody has to test them, and there still here today and they still have problems in operation, and yes the trainer agreed with me on this point. 

Now the electronic park brakes are now starting to show up problems because they too are getting older, so they are now starting to present their own problems.

The leak detector, at this time since the introduction from our VTS it has been a waste of money at this time since its inception, and the tow bar tester, well like I said earlier I have done less than 05 tests with it, so not really a good financial investment to date.

What I think DVSA should have done in the short term is ask us Councils to check each day during testing how many vehicles actually had 13 PIN plugs fitted, then while checking them just have a look at the wiring and pins, make a record and pass and advise and bring the data to the council meeting and let DVSA then decide if the VTS's are seeing enough throughout to justify the purchase.

They did the headlamp aim project that way, can't see a big issue myself really.  

Just to add to that the majority of parking brake cables electronic and manual are hidden from view and have few moving parts, to make that part of the test redundant was correct in my opinion.

I am not wishing to start any trouble here Baz, but stating my view only, which is not a crime, now that said having read the special notice 07/2005, the ATL was introduced at the same time, however the introduction of ATL is on page 1 item 1, and reading through the information the park brake changes item 4 page 2 applies to all Test Stations, so if they introduced the park brake changes because of the ATL Testing centres, then my opinion is that the changes should have been for ATL/OPTL sites only.

It is still possible (seen it myself) that defects for restriction of free movement can be missed during parts of the routine that DVSA have removed like brake caliper levers, if an assistant is not used. Just remember Baz that when DVSA make decisions like passing and advising broken/fractured coil springs, the current changes to the brake testing procedures and the administration that you disagreed with at the time was your right to your opinion, you even went on to say that DVSA would have to change back the brake testing changes on this forum at one point.

Everyone has their right to their opinions Baz, don't single me out because you disagree with what I say, you also have disagreed with DVSA for their decisions they have taken in recent times. 

Your assumption (which suited your opinion) was wrong and you stated it as fact android. I have no problem with anyone having a viewpoint and an opinion as long as they are based on facts and not on incorrect assumptions. Please double check your facts before going public (PM me for clarification if necessary).