DVSA Withdraws 288 MOT Testers as Latest Enforcement Figures Revealed

DVSA withdrew the authorisation of 288 MOT testers during 2025/26, according to newly published figures revealing the scale of disciplinary action across Britain’s MOT testing industry.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also recorded 176 warnings issued to MOT testers during the financial year.

Authorised examiners (AEs) were also subject to significant enforcement action, with DVSA recording 145 withdrawals and 247 warnings during 2025/26.

The figures provide an important reminder to MOT testers and Testing Station operators of the potentially serious consequences of failing to comply with MOT Scheme requirements – and the value of getting specialist advice when disciplinary action is threatened.

288 MOT testers withdrawn during 2025/26

According to DVSA’s latest “Action against authorised examiners and testers” figures, enforcement action during 2025/26 included:

• 288 MOT testers withdrawn
• 59 MOT testers withdrawn after appeal
• 176 MOT testers warned
• 145 authorised examiners withdrawn
• 57 authorised examiners withdrawn after appeal
• 247 authorised examiners warned

DVSA also recorded six cases of “intent to refuse” and three refusals after appeal during the year.

The figures underline the continuing importance of compliance for individual MOT testers and the businesses responsible for operating Testing Stations.

Tester withdrawals fell compared with the previous year

There is some positive news in the figures.

During 2024/25, DVSA recorded 307 MOT testers as disqualified and 205 as warned.

The latest figure of 288 tester withdrawals is therefore around 6% lower than the 307 disqualifications recorded in the previous financial year.

Warnings to testers also fell, from 205 in 2024/25 to 176 in 2025/26 – a reduction of approximately 14%.

Authorised examiner withdrawals decreased from 155 to 145, while warnings issued to authorised examiners fell from 264 to 247.

While the terminology used in DVSA’s latest dataset has changed from “disqualified” to “withdrawn” for MOT testers, the figures nevertheless provide a useful indication of the level of formal enforcement action being taken across the MOT Scheme.

Why can DVSA take action against an MOT tester?

DVSA can take disciplinary action when shortcomings are identified in MOT testing or the operation of an MOT Testing Station.

Not every problem automatically results in a tester losing their authorisation.

DVSA’s MOT Testing Guide explains that minor shortcomings will normally result in advice or counselling. More serious failings, or repeated minor shortcomings, can result in formal disciplinary action and potentially prosecution.

DVSA operates a disciplinary points system designed to assess the seriousness of shortcomings and help determine the appropriate action.

Issues that threaten road safety, have an environmental impact or undermine the integrity of the MOT Scheme can be treated particularly seriously.

What disciplinary action can DVSA take?

DVSA’s disciplinary framework provides different levels of sanction depending on the seriousness of the shortcomings identified.

A Level 1 sanction normally results in advice being given.

A Level 2 sanction can result in a temporary suspension notice being issued to an authorised examiner or tester.

A Level 3 sanction can lead to DVSA considering formal disciplinary action.

The eventual outcome depends on the individual circumstances, with the disciplinary points system acting as a guide rather than a rigid set of rules.

For MOT testers and authorised examiners, this means even apparently minor compliance problems should not simply be ignored – particularly where shortcomings are repeated.

MOT Station operators also carry responsibility

The latest statistics are particularly relevant to MOT Station owners because DVSA enforcement is not limited to individual testers.

An authorised examiner is responsible for ensuring an MOT authorisation is operated in accordance with the requirements set by the Secretary of State.

For a company operating an MOT Testing Station, responsibility can extend beyond the individual carrying out the Test.

That makes effective quality management, staff training and oversight an essential part of operating an MOT business.

When a DVSA investigation becomes serious

For a Testing Station, receiving disciplinary correspondence from DVSA can be daunting.

Depending on the circumstances, a tester or authorised examiner may need to understand the allegations being made, check DVSA’s disciplinary points, gather relevant evidence and records and prepare written representations within the required timescale.

The consequences can also be significant.

Withdrawal of MOT authorisation can affect an individual’s livelihood, while action against an authorised examiner can threaten an MOT Testing Station’s ability to continue operating.

There can also be a wider commercial impact. MOT Testing often brings vehicles into a workshop and generates legitimate servicing, maintenance and repair work.

Losing the ability to carry out MOT Tests can therefore affect considerably more than the revenue earned from the Test itself.

Facing DVSA disciplinary action? MOT Shield can help

For MOT testers and authorised examiners worried about dealing with DVSA disciplinary action alone, MOT Shield provides access to specialist MOT consultancy support and representation.

MOT Shield is designed specifically for MOT Testing Stations, authorised examiners and testers who may find themselves facing DVSA disciplinary action.

If disciplinary correspondence arrives, having access to someone experienced in MOT Scheme disciplinary procedures can be particularly valuable.

MOT Shield consultants can assist with the disciplinary process and written representations, allowing the AE or Tester to obtain specialist support rather than trying to navigate a potentially serious DVSA case without experienced assistance.

For an MOT business where its authorisation and livelihood could potentially be at stake, that support can provide valuable peace of mind.

Find out more about MOT Shield and the protection available to MOT testers and authorised examiners:

Learn more about MOT Shield

Prevention remains better than dealing with disciplinary action

Specialist support can be invaluable when something goes wrong, but avoiding disciplinary problems in the first place should remain the priority.

Garages need appropriate systems and procedures around testing standards, equipment, staff competence, security and operation of the MOT Testing Service.

Testers should also make sure they continue to follow the current MOT Inspection Manuals and testing procedures rather than relying on established habits or outdated practices.

Quality management is particularly important.

Authorised examiners should ensure the quality of testing is being monitored and that problems identified through quality checks are properly investigated and addressed.

Where shortcomings are discovered, acting quickly can help prevent a relatively minor problem developing into something more serious.

DVSA can publish details of stations removed from the MOT service

There can also be reputational consequences when serious enforcement action is taken.

DVSA’s MOT Testing Guide states that it may publish details of vehicle Testing Stations removed from the MOT service following formal disciplinary action.

Details can be published after the appeal period has expired or an appeal has been determined.

For an MOT garage, losing authorisation can therefore have financial and reputational consequences as well as preventing the business from carrying out MOT Tests.

What should MOT garages take from the latest figures?

The headline number is significant: 288 MOT testers had their authorisation withdrawn during 2025/26, while another 176 received warnings.

However, the statistics should not be interpreted as evidence that standards across the MOT industry as a whole are deteriorating.

Both tester withdrawals and warnings were actually lower than the equivalent figures recorded in the previous year.

Instead, the figures demonstrate that DVSA continues to take formal action where it identifies failures within the MOT Scheme.

For testers, authorised examiners and site managers, the message is clear: understand the current testing requirements, maintain effective quality controls, act on identified shortcomings and make sure everyone involved in the MOT operation understands their responsibilities.

And if DVSA disciplinary action does arise, getting specialist assistance at an early stage can help ensure the situation is dealt with properly.

Protect your MOT business with MOT Shield

DVSA disciplinary action can put an MOT tester’s authorisation, and potentially a Testing Station’s business, at risk.

MOT Shield gives MOT testers and authorised examiners access to experienced MOT consultancy support when facing DVSA disciplinary action.

Don’t wait until disciplinary correspondence lands on your desk to think about how you would deal with it.

Find out more about MOT Shield and get protected

External sources:

DVSA – Action against authorised examiners and MOT testers (2025/26 data)

DVSA – MOT testing data for Great Britain

DVSA – MOT Testing Guide: Discipline

DVSA – MOT Testing Guide for Test Stations