The MOT test sits at the heart of DVSA's mission to keep Britain's roads safer for everyone.
This vital safety check makes sure that over 32 million vehicles tested every year meet the roadworthiness standards that protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians across the country, helping us see only 2% of road incidents being caused by mechanical failings.
However, despite the clear benefits of the MOT service we do still detect high volumes of fraudulent activity from businesses and individuals who simply don't care about the safety of vehicles they're supposed to be checking.
What we’ve found
As professionals in this industry, you understand better than most the critical importance of the MOT as a roadworthiness safety net for vehicles three years or older.
As our methods of detection have become more sophisticated, our teams are successfully routing out the bad apples in the industry.
As you can see from our latest stats, there has been a steady increase in the number of prosecutions – which will be for serious MOT fraud.
| Year | Number of successful prosecutions for malpractice in MOT |
|---|---|
| 2024 to 2025 | 32 |
| 2023 to 2024 | 29 |
| 2022 to 2023 | 18 |
| 2021 to 2022 | 20 |
In addition to that we will stop testing at around 300 garages a year (cessations) for not testing correctly – much of which will also include elements of fraud.
A concerning number of instances where we’ve been required to take action were due to ghost MOTs, which we consider one of the most serious offences an MOT tester can commit. This is when a fraudulent MOT tester provides an MOT pass certificate for a vehicle that they have not seen.
What is DVSA doing to tackle increased malpractice?
Our advances in technology are helping us to identify non-compliance in the industry. For example, we use AI to identify potentially fraudulent activity on MTS. When a fraudulent MOT is being conducted, there are certain hallmarks that the system will flag to us, which can then be looked into by one of our intelligence operators.
In instances where a tester attempts to conduct a ‘ghost’ MOT, we can utilise ANPR cameras to check if the vehicle was in the area of the garage when the test was being conducted.
When we compare this data with MOT test records, inconsistencies quickly become apparent, particularly in cases where vehicles are being issued pass certificates when they’ve never entered the garage.
When conducting site visits and investigations, our colleagues are on a truth-finding mission. Their primary purpose is to promote road safety and provide information, education and support to garages when its needed.
But they also have a responsibility to investigate and act against those who choose to operate outside the rules.
You can find out more about how we conduct MOT site visits by reading our blog: Improving MOT site reviews – here’s what you need to know – Matters of Testing
Our current “photos of vehicles at MOT” trial to help stamp out ‘ghost’ MOT fraud, combined with our tracking capabilities, create a comprehensive picture of testing activities. We expect this technological capability to continue developing, providing even more sophisticated ways to ensure compliance to protect legitimate testers and businesses.
Find out more: How we’re combating fraud and error within the MOT – Matters of Testing
Highlighting the consequences
The case of Neil Gabbott at Swansey MOT Centre in Chorley demonstrates both the brazen nature of some fraud and our determination to prosecute offenders. Gabbott issued 10 fraudulent MOT certificates for vehicles across the UK, from Scotland to Southampton, seeking quick profits by avoiding proper inspections.
During a formal interview, Gabbott admitted to issuing fraudulent certificates. The consequences were swift and severe: the testing station was shut down within 24 hours, Gabbott was immediately suspended from testing duties, and he faced court proceedings that resulted in a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, plus £2,000 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
What this means
Our record-breaking prosecution numbers reflect DVSA's commitment to protecting the reputation of law-abiding MOT testers, integrity of the MOT system and Britain's road safety.
While we're fortunate that the vast majority of our 67,000 MOT testers do follow the rules and are trustworthy professionals, we will not allow the dangerous few to undermine public safety and your reputations, for their own selfish personal gain.
MOT fraud doesn't just threaten individual motorists; it jeopardises the public’s confidence in the system. Faulty vehicles that should be repaired slip through unchecked, and the risk of incidents increases dramatically, endangering all road users.
As ever, we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment below with any feedback.
21 comments
Comment by Donald Anderson posted on
The safety of the public should be every testers priority well done to the Dvsa staff for rooting out rouge testers
Comment by Grace Santana posted on
good it's about time they took action against these people they are a disgrace to the trade
Comment by M brind posted on
Camera in garages good about time
Comment by Rich posted on
I've been a mot qualified tester for 6 years car technician all my day's my job is to keep families safe making sure the vehicle they are travelling in is worthy
Regards Rich
Comment by Denis Calvert posted on
Don't know why we can't move to a full video of the test using a body this I feel is going to happen anyway in the future
Comment by Borely kizamba posted on
Absolutely, this article is above and behound, it clearly makes sense and outlines the reasons why reporting abuse of the system, saves lives and prevents dangerous vehicles on the British roads, I highly recommend the action taken by the DVSA, and people who report abuse of the MOT system
Comment by Les posted on
Maybe use AI to compare current results with historic tests.
When looking for a replacement car, I was surprised how many for sale had no advisories yet looking back had ones for corrosion over several tests.
Comment by Simon Bell posted on
Personally, I believe that the public need to be more educated that the mot is the minimum standard required, and this does not ensure their vehicle is “perfect” for the next twelve months. I hear things like, “what you’ve failed it just because the mil light is on, or, the abs light, oh yes that’s been on for years, it passed ever year at XYZ motors down the road. It’s hard to educate them that these issues indicate a possibly dangerous underlying problem. Personally I would like to see the test become six monthly, as twelve months with today’s usage seems a long period.
Comment by Richard west posted on
So how does someone carry out 320 mot tests in one month, one person that is, and nobody thinks this is not suspicious ie the garage paying for the slots for example
Comment by Mick posted on
When are you going to address the problem of test stations passing vehicles with CAT removal and pop bang exhausts and ridiculously noisy and DPF removal and ADBLE delete
Comment by William a irvine posted on
Could a signature from 2 people on mot be a way to reduce fraud one signature for the tester and one from someone else to confirm vehicle was there
Comment by Kenny posted on
It’s refreshing to hear that the Cowboy Testers are being weeded out. The Trade has had them for far too long.
Just need to target the Motor Trader “friendly” Testers now- the ones where a 13 year 170,000 mile car flys through with no advisories whatsoever, despite having pages full previous years.
Comment by mark wadman posted on
Great job, its good to hear that these individuals are being sought, found and dealt with! Keep it up.
Comment by Gary Hanson posted on
I totally agree fraudulent mot testing tarnish all of us it's how people persive us and most testers do the right thing we all make a mistake or miss something that is just being human
Comment by Scott posted on
Shame there are dodgy testers willing to put themselves, their families and other road users at risk. Lets stamp it out..
Comment by Bert posted on
Just go onto facebook market place and you'll see ghost MOT's with guaranteed passes all over it, easy to catch them there
Comment by Gary parker posted on
You need to bring in the uploading of a photo of the vehicle in the testing station that’s proof it’s been at the testing station
It won’t stop incorrect testing procedures or passing a vehicle when it should of failed but it’s a step in the right direction to stopping ghost mot tests
Comment by James McGrattan posted on
Keep it up if you’re doing the test to DVSA standards no one should a problem let’s all keep the roads safe from what’s been happening fully support what’s DVSA are saying well done to all DVSA staff
Comment by Aidan Cain posted on
Good Blog 👍👍
Comment by John posted on
Use anpr cameras in mot test bays as it’s easy to make photos up with digital use.
Comment by John posted on
Send those who do ghost mots to prision and make bigger fines