DVSA Prosecutes MOT Tester and Mechanic Over “Ghost” MOT Fraud

Two men have been sentenced after a major MOT fraud investigation by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uncovered they were issuing legitimate-looking certificates for vehicles that were never physically tested.

The scheme took place at a Bristol-area test centre, where an authorised MOT tester and a mechanic allegedly created a system allowing them to issue pass certificates without ever inspecting the vehicles. The fraud, often referred to as “ghost” MOT testing, saw 223 untested cars wrongly passed and certificates issued as if the work had been carried out.

At Bristol Crown Court, the tester received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and 300 hours of unpaid work, while the mechanic was handed a similar suspended sentence with 250 hours of unpaid work. Both now face seizure of profits from their activity under proceeds of crime laws.

The DVSA’s action highlights the regulator’s ongoing crackdown on serious MOT fraud, which can leave unsafe vehicles on the road and undermine confidence in the testing system. Motorists advised to check MOT history and report suspicious testing behaviour.