Drivers could be on the road with fake MOT certificates, leaving them in unsafe vehicles, experts have warned.
The alert follows new rules from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requiring garages to photograph vehicles during MOT tests.
The move aims to combat so-called “ghost MOTs,” where certificates are issued without a proper inspection taking place.
Experts warn that drivers could unknowingly be behind the wheel of dangerous vehicles, risking high repair costs, invalid insurance claims, and fines.
What's checked in an MOT?
Keith Hawes, director of car leasing provider Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, has highlighted five key warning signs that could indicate an MOT certificate is not genuine.
How to find out if your MOT is fake
Your vehicle was never physically inspected
The biggest warning sign is receiving an MOT certificate without your car being fully inspected.
The DVSA's new "Photos at Test" scheme requires testing stations nationwide to upload a photo of the vehicle on the inspection ramp with its registration plate visible, making it harder for rogue operators to issue certificates for cars that never attended the test.
The garage offers a guaranteed pass
No MOT testing station that is legitimate will ever guarantee that a vehicle will pass a test.
If you're told that this will be the case, take this as a warning sign.
The MOT record doesn't appear online
Anyone can check if a vehicle has a valid MOT by checking the government's online tool.
If you can't find your updated MOT result, you need to contact the testing station and investigate why this might be the case.
The test was completed unusually quickly
An MOT test varies in length of time it takes to complete so if a certificate is issued within an unusually short timeframe, you might want to verify that all the required checks have been done.
What can fail an MOT test?
Payment requests seem unusual
If a garage will only accept cash or refuses to issue receipts or documentation, be cautious as legitimate testing centres should be able to provide clear records of any MOT work carried out.
What are the risks of a fake MOT?
A fraudulent MOT certificate can make drivers believe their vehicle is in good shape, allowing potentially dangerous faults to go undetected.
This can lead to expensive repair bills later as well as reduced vehicle safety and potential complications with your insurance.
You might also have an increased risk of a breakdown and it could also result in you driving a vehicle that doesn't meet legal roadworthiness standards.
Keith advises: "The vast majority of MOT centres carry out important work keeping Britain's roads safe, but unfortunately there are some rogue operators who attempt to exploit the system.
"The introduction of mandatory vehicle photographs is a positive step that should help improve trust in the MOT process and make it more difficult for fraudulent certificates to be issued.
"Motorists should always ensure their vehicle physically attends its MOT appointment, check their MOT history online and be wary of any garage promising a guaranteed pass.
"If something feels too good to be true, it usually is."
When does the new DVSA scheme start?
The DVSA has already enforced the change to MOT tests, which means garages have to upload photos of MOT tests taking place.
The new rule started on August 3 and is the DVSA's way of cracking down on fraudulent garages.
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It said the first phase of the national rollout will involve around 2,500 garages across Great Britain.
Further phases are expected to follow, with reviews taking place as the rollout continues.
By making this change, the DVSA hopes to improve confidence in MOT testing and contribute to road safety objectives.
Has your car had an MOT recently? Let us know in the comments below.
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