In Norn Irn the MOT came in, in the mid 70,s. there was a 35 acre field round the corner from us and it filled up with old cars in the space of a few days.
My Dads Viva failed on 37 separate items iirc.

The system over there is still different. Its carried out at Govt. test centres, not garages.
The MOT
is worth the paper its written on.