2.  The following principles relate to disciplinary action against Multi site AEs: a. In considering cases involving AEs who operate at more than 1 site, each site will be treated separately in the first instance.  If the repute of the Scheme is considered to have suffered through the actions of the AE, VOSA has the right to issue a Notice of Cessation to the AE regarding all of the Authorised Examiners’ sites. If a specific site is subject to cessation for disciplinary reasons then no further sites will be authorised in the same catchment area within the period of cessation. Regardless of whether any individual sites are subject to Notices of Cessation, VOSA may review the overall effectiveness of that AE's management system.  If it appears to VOSA that there are problems affecting a significant proportion of sites VOSA may ask for an action plan to be prepared and implemented to improve the group performance.  If problems continue, VOSA may consider granting no further Authorisations until the record of the remaining parts of the group has improved or, in severe cases issuing Notices of Cessation to part or all of the group.  In considering the overall performance of the group, convictions relating to non-VTS sites within the group may also be taken into consideration. b. Where an Authorised Examiner has been shown on the balance of probabilities to be culpable of misdemeanours affecting all sites (e.g. deliberate failure of minor items to encourage trade) and the resulting accumulated disciplinary points are sufficient to warrant disciplinary action all sites may be issued with Notices of Cessation. 5 Disciplinary Action - How it Can Arise Here are some examples of typical circumstances that can lead to disciplinary action against an NT or AE - it is not an exhaustive list of all possible circumstances. a. A justified complaint where defects have been found on a vehicle previously given a test certificate; this is known as an 'inverted appeal'.* b. A justified appeal against refusal to issue a test certificate; this is known as a 'statutory appeal'. c. A re-examination of a recently tested vehicle by VOSA revealing an incorrect pass/fail decision.* d. An observed test where a vehicle (with or without induced defects) is submitted for examination by a ‘mystery shopper’ (a person posing as a customer) in order to check the  NT’s testing methods and/or standards (a ‘mystery shopper’ test) and those methods or standards appear to be inadequate/incorrect. e. An unobserved test with induced defects.  This provides for leaving the vehicle at the VTS and collecting it later that day in order to check the  NT’s testing methods and/or standards.  Generally this is used to target sites where there are perceived standards issues or other enforcement methods are impracticable. f. An observed test when VOSA has asked for test procedures to be demonstrated by an NT and these procedures have proved unsatisfactory. Disciplinary   I The MOT Testing Guide   Issue Date February 2010 g. The recognition by VOSA of a deficiency in the operation of the MOT Testing Scheme at a VTS.