MOT Trade Section
The MOT Trade section is a resource for those working in or with the UK MOT Industry and contains industry news, manufacturer and supplier information, expert comment, analysis and opinion.
• Disciplinary Issues
• MOT Trade Directory
• Recent Special Notices Analysed
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From Friday 9 January 2026, the DVSA will introduce several important changes to the MOT scheme that directly affect MOT testers and Authorised Examiners (AEs). These updates focus on disciplinary action, tester eligibility, training oversight and compliance. While some of the groundwork has already been laid through recent guide updates, January 2026 marks the point where several stricter rules formally…
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The MOT first started on 12th September 1960 – but whilst an annual requirement, initially it only applied to vehicles over ten years old. That changed in 1961 to vehicles over 7 years old, and then six years later in 1967 the current three-year old vehicles having to have their first MOT was set up. That remains the case today.…
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If you are looking for an MOT training provider, it is important to ensure they are approved by a recognised awarding organisation and that their courses meet DVSA requirements. All MOT Testers must complete approved training and hold the correct qualifications before applying to become a Nominated Tester. Before enrolling on an MOT Tester course, technicians must normally have at…
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Beverley Warmington has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). She will take up the role on 5 January 2026, succeeding Loveday Ryder, who has led the agency since January 2021. Warmington brings nearly 20 years of experience in public service, with a strong background in leading large operational organisations. Prior to…
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Recently in the news the BBC highlighted the issue of the glare from LED, laser light and bi-xenon sourced headlights on modern cars. This isn’t new. For some years now people have been put off driving at night due to the blinding intensity of those modern headlamp systems. And the problem is made worse by the increasing sales of larger…
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Proposed Pay-Per-Mile Road Tax for Electric Vehicles The UK government is introducing a new mileage-based road tax for electric cars as part of its Autumn Budget 2025. Starting in April 2028, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) will be charged a rate of 3 pence per mile driven (with plug-in hybrid cars charged 1.5p per mile) under a scheme called the…
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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…
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A recent analysis of over 209 million MOT test records by MoneySuperMarket has revealed which car models are performing best — and worst — when it comes to first-time MOT failure rates. What the article doesn’t mention though is the age of these vehicles. On motester.co.uk’s “Your Car’s MOT Results” page, you can look up how a car of a…
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PLEASE NOTE: Please contact us here If you are interested in a subscription for MOT SHIELD. Contact Us Penalty points from DVSA – how it happens, what to do next Testing quality is at an all-time low, and DVSA are pledged to do something about it, so we ask: “Can MOT businesses now expect a disciplinary crackdown from DVSA?” We also…
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The current MOT fee was set on 6th April 2010 – over 15 years ago at the current cost of £54.85. After the DVSA cost of the £2.05 slot fee, this leaves just £52.80 received by MOT Test Stations for an MOT vehicle examination that can take up to an hour, or even more. Are there any other costs of…
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The DVSA has issued an urgent warning to drivers across the UK: millions are not signed up to the free MOT reminder service — putting themselves at risk of missed MOTs, fines, and vehicle non-compliance. According to the article, almost one in four drivers eligible for the reminder service haven’t registered. Without reminders, many motorists simply forget to arrange their…
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MOT testers and garages are being urged to help drivers avoid costly mistakes, as new warnings highlight how easily motorists can fall foul of the law around MOT tests – sometimes before their car even reaches the ramp. A report published by WalesOnline reveals that drivers could be hit with fines of up to £1,000 if they misunderstand their MOT…
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Drivers across the UK have been warned they could face repair costs averaging £617 if they skip an MOT test or ignore necessary repairs. The warning comes amid data highlighting how many motorists are hit by unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs when maintenance is neglected. (Original source: GB News – Millions face huge £617 repair bill without MOT test) What…
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From 10 June 2025, major changes to driving licence entitlements for zero-emission vans have come into force, designed to make it easier for businesses and drivers to adopt electric fleets. These changes have key implications for MOT garages, MOT testers, and suppliers in the EV van space. (Original source: EV Fleet World – New licence rules for heavier electric vans…
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The Highway Code isn’t just a guide — some of its lesser-known rules are being enforced with steep fines. According to reports, drivers are being penalised for seemingly small infractions, such as inappropriate footwear, misleading eyewear, or unsecured animals — and these can have serious consequences when it comes to road safety and compliance. What rules are catching drivers out?…
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Recently there have been several scare stories in the press suggesting that thousands of motorists’ vehicles will fail the MOT because their vehicles have safety-related manufacturing defects which have not been remedied. These articles are wrong. There has been no recent change to the MOT Testing rules which would apply to the vehicle defect Safety Recall system resulting in an…
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‘Good Repute’, criminal record checks and the MOT Over the years the DVSA have often published their successful prosecution of recalcitrant MOT Testers (NTs) and Authorised Examiners (AEs) who have unlawfully, and sometimes purposefully and corruptly issued MOT pass certificates either without seeing the vehicle, or when they know the vehicle should have failed the MOT inspection. This could be…
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DVSA has announced the following information regarding a strike by some vehicle Testers and Traffic Examiners. Some vehicle testing and enforcement services might be affected by strike action.* * see update below Some DVSA staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to take strike action during June 2023. This includes: The strike action…
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Deadly defects…! The Government has recently issued a consultative document suggesting a change for the first MOT Test to be at four years old and two-yearly thereafter. Yet data we have discovered shows that since the Government last made the same proposal in 2010/11 (which was rejected on road safety grounds), the number of cars with “dangerous” defects cited during…
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There have been articles in the media recently about changes to the MOT Test; a change from the first Test being due, currently set to be carried out after a vehicle is three years old and then subsequently every year, being changed to after a vehicle is four years and possibly five years old, and then every two years. The…
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