Bowmonk: brake testing needn’t break the bank

By Categories: Commercial NewsPublished On: Thursday 24 September 2020

Testing equipment provider Bowmonk has emphasised the advantages for fleet operators of investing in decelerometer technology as an affordable means of ensuring vehicles’ braking systems are operating to required standards.

The company cites concerns raised by the traffic commissioners in recent years to the effect that many fleet operators were still failing to ensure regular brake testing was conducted at the required frequency, and in some cases at all – with too little information often recorded on documentation to constitute a meaningful assessment.

“It could be said that this is because many operators are finding the current requirement for more frequent roller brake tests a costly exercise, as these tests can cost in the region of £15 per axle.

“The main reason for this infrequency could be that operators are still under the misconception they have to visit an authorised testing facility (ATF) for the regular brake tests DVSA expects operators to undertake when, in fact, the agency has approved the use of Bowmonk’s BrakeCheck for performing any non-MOT interim brake tests.”

Bowmonk added: “The cessation of the MOT test exemption has exposed a number of vehicles as having a higher level of defects, amongst which are braking components, resulting in a potential decrease in braking efficiency.

“Never has there been a more important time to thoroughly check braking data to ensure they are performing correctly.”

www.bowmonk.com