DVSA warns of rise in MOT fraud cases - ‘Don’t cheat the system!’
Between 2021 to 2022 there were 1324 total counts of MOT fraud
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Drivers have been warned to only book an MOT test at a registered site after the DVSA recorded thousands of cases involving fraudulent cases.
In total the DVSA found that between 2021 to 2022 there were 1324 total counts of MOT fraud.
Out of these, 710 of the cases were about dishonesty and negligence of the vehicle maintenance and testing procedure.
During the period, the agency said it prosecuted 20 cases involving 24 defendants who acted fraudulently.
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MOT tests check the roadworthiness of a car
PAUnder DVSA powers, they can ban people from testing and launch criminal action against them.
In 2021, the agency banned a total of 127 authorised examiners from running vehicle testing Stations, and 288 from the MOT scheme.
This included bans for 85 authorised examiners and 185 Tester cases relating to the most serious offences including dishonesty, and gross negligence.
The DVSA warned: “We will not allow qualified testers who we entrust to carry out MOTs to abuse a system designed to keep the public safe for their own personal gain.”
The agency added: “We are fortunate to have so many compliant, trustworthy, and honest garages who deliver the MOT safely.
“We want to ensure they are not unfairly disadvantaged by the greed and criminality of the dangerous few individuals seeking to dupe the system.
“The MOT test is designed to keep you and others safe. Don’t risk road safety, don’t cheat the system, choose a valid MOT.”
The DVSA detailed how in one case, an MOT testing site owner was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for 21 fraudulent mishaps.
The tester was given a suspended two-year sentence on the condition he completes 240 hours unpaid work within that period and ordered to pay a contribution towards prosecution costs of £5,000.
All 138 vehicle MOT certificates issued by the company were cancelled and removed. This meant vehicle owners needed to complete a valid MOT test before their vehicle could return to the road.
MOTs are carried out by 60,000 privately employed MOT testers carrying out tests in around 23,000 testing stations across the UK.
DVSA is responsible for regulating MOTs and their providers to ensure they are conducted to the correct standards.
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30 million tests are conducted every year
GETTYAlmost all the 30 million MOTs carried out annually are conducted to the “appropriate standard”.
For vehicles three or more years old, it is a “roadworthiness safety net”. While vehicles should be roadworthy all year round, the MOT test helps ensure vehicles are not going to cause road users harm.