The driver of a commercial minibus is the person responsible for its condition when on the road, although an operator may also be responsible for allowing its usage in a defective state. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 by and large impose absolute liability on the driver and operator, even if the vehicle has just been returned from servicing.

Besides breakdowns affecting businesses preventing them from offering a satisfactory level of service to their customers, failure to properly maintain a vehicle in good condition may invalidate an insurance policy.

For larger organisations it is mandatory that a designated person or persons has overall responsibility for the maintenance and MOTs of all minibuses operated by that company. For smaller organisations this may be difficult to achieve but should be exactly the same in principal. It is all too easy to unknowingly fail to fulfil a whole host of regulations and some of these may involve penalty points and in some cases disqualification. Therefore it is advised that at least one person should take responsibility within a company to maintain up-to-date information on the working condition of all company vehicles.

As well as daily maintenance a manufacturers servicing should be carried out at frequent intervals. By doing so, this should lessen expenditure, delay and problems when a full MOT is carried out. An experienced mechanic should perform the inspection and where the tasks overlap a regular service can be done at the same time.

The recommended intervals for servicing are:

• Every 10 weeks for mileage up to 12,500 pa.
• Every 9 weeks for mileage between 12,500 and 20,000 pa.
• Every 8 weeks for mileage between 20,000 and 40,000 pa.

It is also recommended that all documentation pertaining to the inspection should be kept for at least 15 months afterward.

In Britain all minibuses with up to 8 passenger seats, excluding the driver, require their first MOT inspection 3 years after the date of their registration and every year thereafter. Those with 9-16 passenger seats excluding the driver require their first MOT test one year after the date of their first registration and every subsequent year thereafter.

This certificate proves that the vehicle was design or adapted to PSV standards and is only required where the vehicle is intended for commercial service. If the vehicle is intended for community usage then it does not require a certificate.