Matthew Xuereb
Police probe VRT garages
The police are investigating several VRT garages on suspicion of fraud in the issuing of vehicle roadworthiness certificates.
Sources said the police were looking into the number of VRT tests made by certain stations because it was "humanly impossible" that the proper test was conducted for such a large number of cars on a daily basis. Moreover, some VRT stations were being investigated for passing cars that were not even inspected at their garage.
The sources said the investigations began when the police received complaints about the "exaggerated" number of certificates being issued by certain stations.
There are cases of stations it is being alleged that certified 600 cars in one month.
The sources said a test took between 18 and 25 minutes to complete, if everything was done the right way and without cutting any corners.
This meant that at an average of 20 minutes per test, the VRT stations should be testing a maximum of three cars every hour or 24 cars a day.
Logistically, the sources said, it was impossible that the suspected garages were conducting tests the way they should have done.
The sources said Transport Malta was assisting the police in their investigations. There are about 40 VRT stations around Malta, with some arguing this is too many for them to be viable. The VRT machinery involves a substantial investment.
The police investigations are being led by Assistant Commissioner Michael Cassar.
It is understood the Fraud Squad is monitoring the number of VRT certificates being issued by individual VRT stations.
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Elaine Compagno
Mar 15th 2010, 20:35
I'm sick and tired of wasting money on my car. Just last year I changed the entire front suspension system. Driving it today, I still don't know why I even bothered! Our roads are a mess. Try being a passenger when you're 38 weeks pregnant or just come out of an operation. Tal-biki.
c.camilleri
Mar 15th 2010, 17:39
Why are random tests of vehicles not taken after a VTR tests. Certain vehicles are not even road worthy. So how do they pass the VTR test?
C Cassar
Mar 15th 2010, 14:18
How ridiculous. All the police have to do is stand by the roadside and stop any vehicle that they see with defective/missing lights, broken exhaust pipes, illegal window tinting, smoking exhausts etc. This will be at least 7 cars out of 10. They can then check where the VRT for the vehicle was obtained and then pursue not only the car driver but also the VRT testing company. Most vehocles in Malta either haven't got a VRT certificate or have a falsely obtained one. This has been plainly obvious for at least the last 10 years, so why are the police investigating this now?
Joe E Galea
Mar 15th 2010, 13:30
About time.
However, the government should address the issue of the terrible roads that we have in Malta which contribute to a lot of expenses to many drivers.
M Cassar
Mar 15th 2010, 11:56
What about the buses having passed the VRT..Now isn't that a farce?
T Camilleri
Mar 15th 2010, 12:48
Yes, you're right, and what about the government vehicles?
J.Kawash @ M Cassar
Mar 15th 2010, 14:09
Why shouldn`t the buses pass their vrt tests,because they`re old ?. That`s a typical excuse to say something,i can tell you almost all of the buses go to the mechanic`s at least once per month to check for wear an tear due to the roads.May i suggest the government does a test on it`s own vehicles,particularly the police ones and the roads,if you can them roads (lol).
D Pace
Dec 23rd 2010, 00:26
The adt and the goverment better set an example with their vechicles including buses and so on ...... .Before pressing on vrt and the cars of citizens an example better be made because the worst cases of fumes and polution in the street is coming from goverment property . Hello ,wake up don't you understand what a joke you are making of yourself (goverment) taking and making procedures when your property is the worst. And apart from all that i pay the licence for using the roads like everyone else, so arrange the roads maybe you'll do something worthy for once.