Preview
Sample certificate
Shows how completion of inspection and testing can be confirmed for the agreed job.
PAT Testing Guide
What does a PAT testing report include?
A PAT testing report should give you a clear record of what was inspected, what was tested, what passed, what failed, and what may need attention. The label on the item is useful, but the report is the evidence you keep for landlord, workplace, insurance, agent or internal safety files.
Short Answer
What should a PAT testing report include?
A useful PAT testing report should include a clear list of the electrical equipment that was inspected and tested, the result for each item, and any failed, damaged or questionable items found during the visit.
It should not simply say that “PAT testing was completed”. The record should be detailed enough to help you understand what was checked, what passed, what failed, and what action, if any, may be needed.
For landlords, businesses and organisations, this record can support property files, workplace health and safety records, agent requests, insurance queries, internal checks and future retesting.
Important: this page is general guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice for a specific property, workplace, insurance policy or tenancy situation.
A practical report should show
- What items were inspected and tested
- Where items were located
- Pass, fail or relevant notes
- Failed or damaged equipment
- Inspection and testing date
Report Contents
Key information normally included in a PAT testing report
The exact report format can vary, but these are the kinds of details that make the record useful. Good records also make future retesting easier because each item can be identified, checked against previous results and reviewed if it has failed or been damaged before.
Asset reference
A unique item number or label reference where asset tracking is used.
Item description
What the item is, such as kettle, microwave, monitor, extension lead or tool.
Location
Where the item was found, such as office, kitchen, room, floor or property area.
Date checked
The inspection and testing date, useful for future planning and record keeping.
Visual inspection result
Visible damage, plug condition, cable condition or other visual concerns.
Electrical test result
Electrical testing outcome where testing is appropriate for the item.
Pass or fail result
A clear status for each item, with failed items made obvious.
Tester details
Who carried out the inspection and testing, including competent-person details.
Example Documents
Preview
Preview
Preview
Preview
Example PAT testing report documents
These sample documents show the type of digital records we can provide after electrical equipment inspection and testing. The examples use dummy data only and are shown for illustration.
Preview
Preview
Sample asset register
Shows how itemised equipment records, locations and asset references may be presented.
Preview
Sample pass/fail report
Shows how passed and failed items can be listed clearly for customer records.
Preview
Sample photo report
Shows how failed or repaired items can be supported with photo evidence.
These examples use dummy data and are shown for illustration only. Actual report contents may vary depending on the premises, number of items tested, access, failed items and customer reporting requirements.
Why Reports Matter
The report is more useful than the sticker alone
A label on an appliance is useful because it helps identify whether an item has been checked and when it may need attention again. But a label does not show the full inspection and testing history.
The report gives the detail: what was checked, where it was, whether it passed, whether it failed, and whether any visible damage or concern was found.
This is why we focus on clear digital records, not just stickers on plugs. The report is what you can keep with your files and refer back to when questions are raised.
Labels and reports do different jobs
- Labels identify checked items on site
- QR labels can help connect items to records
- Reports show the inspection and testing detail
- Records can be kept with safety files
- Reports help with future retesting
Failures
Failed or damaged items should be clearly recorded
A good report should not hide failed items. Failed, damaged or questionable equipment should be clearly identified so the responsible person can take action.
Depending on the issue, an item may need to be repaired, replaced, removed from use, isolated, or checked further by an appropriate person.
Where items fail, are damaged, or action is taken by us, photo evidence can be included in a separate photo report. This helps show the issue found, the item affected, and any action taken.
Examples of issues that may be recorded
- Damaged plugs or incorrect plug condition
- Damaged, loose or exposed cables
- Cracked casings or missing parts
- Signs of overheating or burning
- Photo evidence where useful
Related Guidance
A report is part of responsible equipment management
The report shows what was checked, but it sits within a wider approach to managing electrical equipment safely. It helps you connect the testing process, the legal context, future inspection intervals and the evidence you keep on file.
If you are unsure where to start, the supporting guides explain what PAT testing means, whether it is a legal requirement, and how often checks should normally be reviewed.
Report FAQs
Common questions about PAT testing reports
Report contents
What should a PAT testing report include?
A useful PAT testing report should include a clear list of inspected and tested items, asset references where used, locations, results, failed or damaged items, the inspection or test date, and details needed for your records.
Is a PAT testing label enough on its own?
No. A label is useful because it identifies that an item has been checked, but the report gives the fuller record of what was inspected, tested, passed, failed or needs attention. You can read more about the wider process in our What is PAT testing? guide.
Can different PAT testing report formats be provided?
Yes. We can provide different report formats depending on the customer, property, workplace or site requirements. This may include certificates, asset registers, pass and fail reports, failed item reports, photo reports and exportable records where required.
Do I get a certificate after PAT testing?
Yes. We provide a digital report and certificate after inspection and testing, showing what was checked and the results recorded.
Failures and asset records
Should failed items be shown on the report?
Yes. Failed, damaged or questionable items should be clearly recorded so the responsible person can decide whether the item should be repaired, replaced, removed from use or assessed further.
Can failed or repaired items be shown with photos?
Yes. Where items fail, are damaged, or action is taken by us, photo evidence can be included in a separate photo report so the issue and action taken are easier to evidence.
Why are asset IDs useful?
Asset IDs help link a physical item to the inspection and testing record. This makes future retesting, record checking and asset tracking easier. They are especially useful when planning future PAT testing intervals.
Keeping and using records
How long should PAT testing records be kept?
Records should be kept securely and be available when needed. Inspection records are useful at least until the next inspection or test, and often longer for landlord, workplace, insurance, agent or internal safety files. You can read more about the wider safety context in our PAT testing legal requirement guide.
Can a PAT testing report help with insurance or agent requests?
Yes. A clear PAT testing report can provide evidence that electrical equipment has been inspected, tested where appropriate, labelled and recorded. Insurance and agent requirements vary, so policy or contract terms should always be checked. If you need a quote for a property or workplace, you can send us the details.
Request a Quote
Need clear PAT testing records?
Tell us what type of property or workplace you have and roughly how many items need checking. We provide clear digital reports and certification after inspection and testing.