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Guidelines on vehicle mechanical inspections and retest arrangements

The mechanical inspection of a vehicle licensed, or proposed to be licensed by Sunderland City Council is carried out at the council's Parsons Depot, Parsons Road, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 1EQ.

The mechanical inspection must be arranged using our online booking form.

Please note that you will need the vehicle registration number (and plate number if the vehicle is currently licensed) and a credit or debit card to make a payment (if payment is required).

The mechanical inspection covers 7 Sections (each of these sections contain subsections).
Section 1 - Lighting
Section 2 - Steering and suspension
Section 3 - Brakes
Section 4 - Tyres and road wheels
Section 5 - Seat belts
Section 6 - General engine and exhaust condition, washers, wipers, window tint etc
Section 7 - Other items such as the interior and exterior condition and items specific to licensed vehicles inc. roof sign, fire extinguisher etc

Upon completion of the mechanical inspection, you will be issued with a vehicle inspection checklist which details whether the vehicle passed or failed the mechanical test. if the vehicle has passed, this vehicle inspection checklist will need to be uploaded with your application form.

In the event that your vehicle fails a mechanical inspection you will need to arrange for a retest to be carried out and a fee may be payable.

Generally, a retest fee will be payable if your vehicle fails on Item(s) included in:-
Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5
Section 6, a fee may be payable dependent upon the severity of the fail
Section 7.1 & 7.2 (exterior and interior condition) a fee may be payable, also dependent upon the severity of the fail.
A retest fee will not normally be required in all other instances.

Arrangements for vehicle retests

In circumstances where a retest fee is not required, retest arrangements will be discussed between the mechanic carrying out the vehicle inspection and the person who has produced the vehicle for inspection.
If your vehicle should fail on any of the above chargeable items, please arrange to retest using the online booking form and pay the requisite fee.

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1. Safety Procedures at Parsons Depot
  
  In order to comply with Health and Safety requirements, all drivers of licensed vehicles must adhere to the following procedures upon arrival at Parsons depot:
  
  Park the vehicle in a designated bay. Remain inside the vehicle until requested to move the vehicle inside the testing bay. The driver should remain with the vehicle at all times whilst at the depot
  
  Do not park in the yellow box junction outside of the testing bay clearly marked “No parking in hatched area at any time”
  
  Only cross the road using the designated walkways clearly marked out
  
  Always follow the correct traffic routes clearly marked out
  
  Do not park your vehicle across the pedestrian footways. Ensure the vehicle is parked well within the designated bay
  
  Do not smoke while on the premises. The entire depot including outside areas has been designated a no smoking zone
  
  Contact a Security Officer, located next to the parking bays, should you have any enquiries while on the premises
  
  These rules are intended to protect drivers. Any driver found not to be adhering to these conditions may be reported to the Regulatory Committee where consideration will be given to the suspension or revocation of their hackney carriage and/or private hire driver’s licence.
2. Additional Covid19 Safety Requirements
  
  As a result of COVID19 Sunderland City Council requires all drivers to wear a mask or face covering at all times whilst within the test centre, this is to protect both drivers and our employees.
  
  Drivers are also asked to:
  
  Sanitise their hands
  
  Ensure that any previously worn masks and rubbish are removed from the vehicle before inspection