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.
40 comments
Comment by Steven posted on
Would like updates as to who has been banned like we used to get in the old days please
Comment by Pasquale Fracassi posted on
We need to make sure these mot stations get shut down by stopping them doing back handed mot we need to keep cars safe on our roads at all times
Comment by Paul Pettit posted on
It’s great to see that DVSA are continuing to clamp down on the scum bags that tarnish the good and essential work that the majority of us testers do. I’ve been testing now for 35 years and have always worked closely with the ministry ( as they were known back in the day) to keep faulty vehicles of the road and bad testing out of the trade.
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 Ian o posted on
The whole idea of the mot is safety for everyone. Simple
Comment by Dave Heath posted on
I'm one of the testers trialling the photo/picture log on and it's definitely a great start. It's a great tool the help stop ghost MOT's. More needs to be done but hopefully it will happen in due course.
Comment by H lomax posted on
I was a mot tester from 1967 to 2006 and saw lots of bent mots from rouge garages
Comment by Stevo posted on
Great work from dvsa road safety 100% fully support dvsa great job keep up the good work
Comment by Colin posted on
Bring it on. Get those cameras up and running. Then you can leave the good guys alone and get rid of the idiots putting lives at risk!
Comment by Nigel posted on
A good site manager then you should have no problems and testers why not have a camera and picture of the test and date and time you shouldn’t NEED IT the more proof you’ve got the better
Comment by James g posted on
There's definitely dodgy ones in my area
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 Fraser MacMillan posted on
Good to read and know however with the figures in the article showing the number of prosecutions reducing year on year I’m a little bit puzzled by the use of the title “What is the DVSA doing to tackle increased malpractice?”
The two points taken together implies the DVSA is doing (or achieving) less.
Comment by lucyrobinson posted on
Hi Fraser, while there was a drop in successful prosecutions in 22/23 there has been a year on year increase since, as the figures reflect.
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 Mr Richard W Fisher posted on
This is absolutely rife with car dealers having back handerdeals with MOT centres. You can guarantee a used vehicle will have a dodgy MOT prior to sale. Hopefully you can help to stamp it out.
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 mark marsden posted on
32 testers committing fraud tests I bet the real number is in the 1000s, I've been testing for 40 years and never taken a bribe, I work with a bloke who is crook he doesn't let me test his cars, which he buys and sells,he takes them elsewhere I have seen these vehicles get a certificate while it's stood outside our garage not at the testing station who apparently tested it,he just says they trust me,you will never weed them out too much money to made,luckily I am stopping testing end of next march because of all of the assessment rubbish, but he ho another honest tester lost,I admit I have missed stuff over the years because we are all human but never on purpose
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 James posted on
Excellent suggestion.. tester confirms test result & AE confirms date & time of vehicle on the premises. It won’t eradicate the problem completely, but goes someway to dealing with these people who have no business in our industry
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 Chris posted on
I’ve been a tester for the last 24 years since mot certs were hand written and for the most part of that blog I agree with apart from a few things.
Firstly we are a green garage and we pride ourselves on honesty and a good service to our customers. We like to communicate with them and get feedback on how we can improve and like most businesses you can’t please everyone but that’s part of the game unfortunately. However when we get visits from the DVSA rarely in the last 24 years have I ever encountered the “ promote road safety and provide information, education and support to garages when its needed” it’s normally the “your guilty until you prove yourself innocent” indeed in our last visit our officer asked a question then answered it for us jotting in down on his table and while I understand they have a job to do it’s feels very much your out to get us.
Secondly when the dodgy garage in the area and we all have them are charging £200-£250 for a bent mot and the honest stations are charging £50 and some less you can see why people in this current climate would lean there especially if they’re not as busy. At the end of the day we all need to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.
I know there’s not a straight forward solution to this but if the test fee was increased then we could better pay our testers improve our equipment to meet your standards.
Comment by Robert Wilmott posted on
Black fumes emitting from older diesel vehicles a regular sighting also over tinted front windows even on taxis including partial covered number plates by taxi license plates in Gwent.
Comment by Robert Wilmott posted on
Black fumes emitting from older diesel vehicles a regular sighting also over tinted front windows even on taxis including partial covered number plates by taxi license plates.
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 Top secret posted on
As a tester I'm happy to hear the dvsa are taking action on fraudulent mots, but I still don't have much confidence, I personally tried to report a station who were offering ghost mots on their Facebook page, dvsa intelligence told me they don't investigate social media, and that if I wanted to do something I should get my car tested there then report the test once I have the certificate. Which tells me they aren't as concerned as they make out about mot fraud. Absolutely ridiculous.
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