A visit to The Test Centre in Deptford is highly memorable. Carved out of railway arches, don’t expect it to be an old fashioned or grubby garage in any way. It’s a slick, streamlined and highly efficient MOT operation with first rate, clean and modern customer facilities. After winning a major trade award, confirming their ethical and quality business standards we were delighted to welcome them to the FOXY Lady Approved network. We then wanted to know more about their ‘no pass, no fee’ business model so we asked their female manager, Kate Streets, to tell us about her involvement in making this business such a welcoming environment for women and men alike.
1. Tell us about you and your career to date.
I have been working on cars since the age of 14 instead of concentrating on school work!! I have always had a passion for cars and motorbikes and the older I got the more of a business woman I have become. So it was natural for me to combine my flair for business with my love of cars and early grease-monkey roots!
I stumbled upon a successful MOT Station in Deptford where I met the man who, unknowingly to me at the time, would change my passion for cars and mentor me into being so customer focused. Together we created the award-winning Test Centre as it stands today.
As manager I was given free rein to expand the business to meet our own vision of unbiased and fair testing and to create a customer focused experience like no other in this industry.
The company has grown exponentially year on year and thanks to my industry knowledge, connections and ruthless approach to business we have become the most successful MOT testing station in the UK.
We operate 5 lanes including every class of vehicle including large trucks, vans, horse boxes, motorcaravans and such like. We are open 7 days a week and include late night testing until 10pm. We’re close to becoming a 24-hour operation so watch this space for that.
The latest challenge has been to open as an IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) approved training centre for MOT testers – ours is the first such facility in London. We are already breaking the trend – we’ve female assessors and encourage female only workshops and sessions to encourage more females to become MOT testers in the automotive workplace.
2. What is the business thinking behind only offering MOT’s in Deptford?
There was an obvious gap in the market, particularly in the South East, for a trustworthy way of getting an MOT. A yearly MOT is a legal requirement after a car’s third birthday and unfortunately some garages take advantage of this to get you in and fleece you for unnecessary repairs.
The Test Centre ONLY does MOT’s. No repairs. No gimmicks. No cost to the customer if the car fails. So you can guarantee that if your car should pass, it will. What people don’t realise is the benchmark laid out for an MOT is very low. So we offer friendly advice where needed but will give every vehicle the opportunity to pass.
We follow the same thought process as FOXY Lady in that being ripped off is such a terrible experience, so we aim to instil confidence in every driver that walks through our doors, regardless of gender.
3. Your recent award from Motor Codes confirms The Test Centre goes that extra mile for motorists. Are there any customer services you offer that particularly demonstrate this?
From start to finish all our staff are trained in excellent customer service. My passion is customer service and so I work closely with each team member to bring out the best customer service skills that they didn’t even know they had. Being human, having business ethics and being courteous is the biggest winning formula I feel. What ever happened to good old fashioned manners? We have them in abundance here, from every member of the team!
Here are some examples of this…
• Our testers will gladly take you under the car to answer any questions, even if it has nothing to do with your MOT. Take a look under the bonnet, observe the whole test if you like! Nothing is too much trouble.
• We have built a beautiful coffee machine into the back of a Mini Cooper if you want to wait whilst we test, in a warm and dog-friendly waiting room. Or we’ll take your keys and call you when your test is done! We even offer a local collection service if you’re REALLY busy (or having a really off day!)
• Every year we’ll text you to remind you when your car’s MOT is due AND to remind you when it’s your date to come to us.
We pride ourselves on being industry leaders in every aspect, starting with customer satisfaction. We are always looking for new ways to make the experience as pain free and easy as possible.
4. We promote the IMI Professional Register as a minimum quality standard and see you are offering the Institute a new MOT training facility. How does this work?
The Test Centre has worked closely with the IMI as a recognised employer for some time. Since the business has developed into the biggest MOT testing centre in the UK we were considered a perfect option to become one of the first training centres. The Test Centre Training will be the first IMI accredited MOT training school in London since the IMI took over the qualification from the DVSA. This means all mechanics and garages in London will come to us when they decide to become a MOT Tester.
We walk all candidates through the three stage process. This encompasses the Light Vehicle Inspection Technician accreditation necessary to take your MOT qualification, the MOT qualification itself and the observed MOT test to pass out as an MOT tester.
We are even putting together a recruitment database for new and existing testers so if you’re good enough you might even get to work with us!!
We offer more training courses, mainly focussed around the MOT of course, and furthering your career after becoming a tester.
5. In your experience, what jobs would you recommend to women who are interested in a career in the motor industry. And how might they go about progressing this?
Any job in the motor industry! What I’ve learned is that as long as you are knowledgeable and eager to work hard the boys will respect you. So stay ahead of the game and you can do anything the lads can.
We at The Test Centre employ the youngest qualified MOT tester who happens to be A GIRL.
In 2016 gender shouldn’t hold us back, just remember that knowledge is key. Becoming an MOT tester is perfect for women in the industry as you can make a lot more money by theoretically doing less work. We do not remove any parts to conduct a test, it is all about observation. Once you know how and are qualified, the most important qualities a Tester needs are honesty and KNOWLEDGE.
I know more about cars than most of my testers, who constantly call me to start tricky cars or explain the odd break or issue. Aim for managerial positions and be prepared to climb the ladder by learning and working hard.
6. Of all the cars you have MOT’d in Deptford, is there one you’d have liked to own, more than others?
I drive a beautiful 3.0L petrol Mercedes SLK which I LOVE to pieces, so I already have one of my dream cars! Having said that, one client comes back every year with a white Audi R8 that is definitely my favourite – I even look forward to it coming in.
This is my next car target, when I have achieved my next set of goals for the training side of the business perhaps!
