Dismantling of covers

Dont know, but do know if a 'vauxhall corsa e engine compartment battery' is insecure your brakes my fail

On this motor an insecure battery can displace the brake master cylinder reservoir. (Photo is an opel but same as vauxhall). 

Section 7.3 allows for the removal of engine covers to permit speed measurement if they can be "easily unclipped"

I would have to dig back through my Special Notices vicar. There was guidance in the early days regards cam belt covers which could be unclipped to check belt condition prior to a DSM test.

I personally don't see a problem with unclipping a battery cover to measure rpm for a full cat test. Using a spanner or screwdriver could be a different issue altogether.

It's usually been the other way round in my experience. Full service on a two post lift followed by brake test, emissions and headlamp aim.

I caught out a main dealer by just sitting in a car 50 yards away from the test bay and observing.

The service bay was on the opposite side of the road. Photographed two cars and a van moving in & out each building with a time stamp on the photos & then straight in to the dealer principles office.

So I shouldn't do an oil temperature reading then ?

As are probe hooks up to the battery , and lots of cars have battery covers

don't forget that if you break it, you've bought it!

That's what I'd thought, some battery covers aren't really that straight forward to remove

And elsewhere in the E.U. it says......

PROCEDURES
The procedures given assume that only parts of a vehicle, which can readily be seen
without dismantling, are to be examined. However, where it is not possible to inspect safety
critical items and a defect is suspected, the examiner may remove wheel trims or panels. It
is also important to note that any wheel trim or panel removed must be replaced or
checked by the customer.

Do DVSA get involved with complaints relating to damage etc? Does anyone have first hand experience of them getting involved for this type thing?