A new initiative aimed at raising standards and boosting confidence in the unregulated commercial vehicle maintenance sector has been launched this week.
On April 29, 2025, the government and industry leaders introduced the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS), a unified rating system designed to bring consistency to performance assessments and enhance transparency for vehicle operators and maintenance facilities.
The industry-led MPRS scheme, guided by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), is the result of a significant collaboration involving key sector stakeholders, including Logistics UK and the Department for Transport (DfT).
Major commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Daimler Truck UK and DAF also took part in the MPRS pilot.
MPRS is designed to reflect the sector’s ongoing commitment to improving commercial vehicle compliance.
The rating system distinguishes workshops and maintenance providers based on the competency of their staff and the quality of their facilities.
A “Qualified” rating indicates that a workshop meets the minimum industry compliance standards, with the highest “Platinum” rating awarded to operators utilizing cutting-edge maintenance technologies.
This includes readiness for future vehicle trends such as electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered systems.
Phil Lloyd, Head of Engineering Policy at Logistics UK, highlighted the significance of the MPRS, stating, “Workshops are currently entirely unregulated, but MPRS can be a beacon of confidence for operators working with external workshops and maintenance facilities.
"It provides a trusted way for maintenance providers to demonstrate their competencies to reassure operators, who will know that their vehicles are being maintained by workshops and facilities that are serious about quality, compliance, and safety.”
Workshops seeking an MPRS rating will apply through the MPRS portal, managed by IRTE on behalf of the industry. The rating process involves a comprehensive audit of facilities and staff knowledge.
Ratings such as “Qualified” and “Bronze” are based on independent assessments of self-declarations, while higher ratings like “Silver,” “Gold,” and “Platinum” are awarded after audits conducted by approved auditors.
IRTE Executive Director, Emma Thompson, commented, “MPRS puts the spotlight on improving current standards across workshops and maintenance facilities nationwide, highlighting non-compliant and unsafe practices that compromise safety and standards within the commercial industry.”
The introduction of MPRS is expected to enhance the overall quality and safety of commercial vehicle maintenance, offering a trusted and transparent system for operators and workshop providers alike.