That's a bit more sensible of a system.
There was no test for passanger vehicles vehicle here in Ireland until about 10 years ago, all you could be done for was bald tyres, no lights or a dangerous fault causing an accident. It was brought in solely as an EU money making exercise, at the behest of an 'EU directive'. Its administered by a Spanish company and common fails include electric windows that don't work quickly enough! Also any welding work has to accompanied by an 'engineers report' which of course costs a bloody fortune.
I have seen cars fail for having a pin head sized crack in tail lights for example, there are no advisories!!
It costs E55 a pop, Its so arbitrary that its pointless bringing a car anywhere other than for a test to find out what nonsense its going to fail on, so you will always have to also pay the E27 (don't know how to do a euro sign!) retest fee.
But its even crazier than that, its not necessarily valid for even a year, its only valid for a year from the date of first registration, so an out of test car may only get a pass for a week and have to go back and be retested.
The penalty for not having one? E1500 fine and 5 penalty points, the penalty for doing 59mph past a school in a 30mph zone? 2 penalty points and E60 fine!! Go figure that one, if you don't think its a money racket.
Be grateful for the English MOT and the way its carried out.