Ghost MOTs

Ghost MOTs refers to the situation where MOT Testing Stations issue MOT pass certificates on vehicles that have never been in an MOT Testing Station. This practice is advertised on some social media sites and poses a serious threat to road safety.

Whilst this probably only applies to a very few dishonest Testing Station owners—or perhaps some Testers who do it without the knowledge or consent of the owner (who should know if they were diligent in their job)—it has the effect of undermining the integrity of the entire MOT Scheme. It is fraud and subject to criminal prosecution when DVSA discover what has happened.

Not a new problem

This is not, however, a new issue. DVSA have for many years stated their intention to introduce CCTV in MOT Test bays to confirm that vehicles issued with MOT pass certificates were actually inspected in the test bay. Until now, nothing has happened and DVSA have had to rely on whistleblowers or tip-offs before setting up costly surveillance operations to catch perpetrators. That may soon change.

Photo-Imaging Trial

Recently, the DVSA ran a trial at a number of MOT Testing Stations in which Testers were required to capture an image of the vehicle being tested whilst it was in the MOT Test Bay—proving the vehicle had been present for its MOT inspection.

During the trial, the vehicle’s image in the bay, including its registration plate, was recorded on a tablet or mobile phone. The trial was conducted earlier this year with 170 MOT Testers working in 62 garages, covering all vehicle classes and a range of MOT Testing Stations—independents, dealerships, MOT chains and local council test stations.

Testers photographed the vehicle being tested whilst in the test bay using a mobile phone or tablet which was then uploaded to the MOT computer. There were some teething problems: some images did not include the test bay, others were unclear, and some Testers had issues using the system. By and large, though, DVSA seemed happy with the result, noting that:

“For the top ten garages the average test time for the first test remained at 40 minutes. The retest time was 9 minutes – up from 7 previously. We are now working with garages to reduce this time by removing any technical barriers to the photos being uploaded.”

Whilst it’s good to see DVSA attempting to reduce the ability of rogue Testing Stations and Testers to cheat the system, requiring a still picture does not ensure complete security. Images can be doctored—especially using the latest AI techniques. DVSA are aware of the limitations of the trial, which they described as:

“…an initial version… a starting point for something more sophisticated.”

In discussions with the Trade, DVSA elaborated that they expect to process images in different ways:

“That could range from relatively simple things like checking the VRM to more sophisticated things – is it the right type of vehicle and, even, is it in the right test bay. And of course once we’ve better covered those fraud angles the basic approach could be used for other things that may help improve quality of the MOT and consumer confidence – for example, could we see photos of defects being captured?”

DVSA had originally proposed CCTV in the test bays, but that was likely deemed too costly. Expensive equipment would have strengthened the MOT Trade’s case for a fee increase—something the Department for Transport has resisted. Using still photos appears to be a more politically acceptable and cheaper alternative. With access to modern AI tools, DVSA may now be able to create cost-effective systems that are just as effective.

Short MOTs

Although this primarily concerns Ghost MOTs—vehicles that never enter the MOT Test Bay—there’s also the issue of “short MOTs.” These occur when a car goes through the bay but only receives a cursory inspection, yet is still issued a pass. This might happen when a Tester drives the car into the bay, has a cup of tea, waits a while, and then issues a certificate.

This was the original reason CCTV was suggested years ago. While image analysis may help identify ghost MOTs, detecting short MOTs is far harder without CCTV—or covert physical surveillance, perhaps from a neighbour’s window across the street!

MOT Trade Responses

After the trial, both Testers and Test Station owners provided feedback to DVSA, who published it on their blog along with sample photos. There were 70 responses in total. A strong recurring theme was the lack of a fee increase since 2010, despite new requirements adding to workload and stress.

One participant noted:

“…if you live in an area that has poor internet it’s not good. You are having to keep re-entering User ID & password. Sometimes you forget to before taking photo of the Q code to print off inspection sheet which means you presently cannot go back and print the inspection sheet.

The costs of equipment and the 6 monthly calibration equipment test. Costs of computers, MOT bay and main office invoice. Cost of MOT testers – Costs of slots – Costs yearly exams. When have you known things that have not increased in costs over the last 14 years – YES THE MOT TESTING FEE. PUT THE FEE FOR TESTING UP NOW – URGENT.”

Another commented:

“We have costs in business which are increasing dramatically year on year. Why are DVSA increasing the work-load/responsibility causing stress in the workplace but not allowing us to increase the cost of the MOT? If this persists we are going to lose staff which again will affect the running of most small businesses. We listen to DVSA, when are you going to listen to the MOT businesses out there in the UK? Seriously, enough is enough.”

And another feared fake AI-generated images:

“A simple solution, however, I feel that the perpetrators of ‘Ghost’ tests will just use AI to generate an image to send, rendering the scheme fairly pointless. Making the tester complete another stage of the test process without any increase to the (long overdue) test fee is unacceptable.”

Among the 70 responses, most raised the issue of the MOT fee freeze. DVSA, which oversees MOT Testing, does not set the fee—the Department for Transport does. With government finances tight, increasing the fee may be politically unpalatable. However, this ongoing freeze undermines road safety and fairness within the trade.

Safety on the Cheap

It is astonishing that the Government has not addressed the MOT fee—unchanged for 15 years. The MOT should not be done “on the cheap.” A decade ago, there were even proposals to move to a two-year MOT interval, citing vehicle reliability—overlooking the fact that reliability does not equal safety.

It is too early to know whether DVSA’s new approach to capturing photos will achieve what CCTV might have done—or if it will prove a cheaper but less effective option. Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction. Dishonest Testers and Authorised Examiners not only compromise safety but also take income from those doing the job properly.

Perhaps CCTV is now outdated, with AI offering more efficient monitoring. Still, every improvement seems to highlight the same issue: the MOT fee. DVSA cannot progress reforms without the fee freeze being raised by the Department for Transport. The MOT fee must be significantly increased—it’s about road safety, after all. Until that happens, underfunding and corner-cutting will remain a temptation for the dishonest few, to the detriment of both road safety and the integrity of the MOT system.