UK MOT Tester Numbers Rise to Nearly 67,000 as Testing Station Numbers Dip | News | motester.co.uk UK MOT Tester Numbers Reach 66,925 in New DVSA Data

The number of approved MOT testers operating across Great Britain has climbed to almost 67,000, according to newly updated data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

DVSA figures released on 10 September 2026 show there were 66,925 nominated MOT testers in 2025/26, up from 66,423 the previous year.

At the same time, the number of private MOT testing stations edged down slightly from 23,097 to 23,092.

The year-on-year reduction of just five private testing stations is tiny, meaning the network has effectively remained stable. However, the longer-term figures reveal a more interesting trend: the number of approved testers has grown considerably faster than the number of MOT stations.

MOT tester numbers rise to 66,925

The latest DVSA figures show:

Financial year	Private MOT test stations	Other MOT test stations	Nominated MOT testers
2025/26	23,092	222	66,925
2024/25	23,097	219	66,423
2023/24	23,168	218	66,144
2022/23	23,316	190	65,891
2021/22	23,379	192	66,045
2020/21	23,270	197	64,653
2019/20	23,327	193	65,821
2018/19	23,323	233	65,809
2017/18	23,309	203	65,649
2016/17	23,421	221	65,532
2015/16	22,763	239	60,317
2014/15	22,416	212	57,363
2013/14	22,062	207	56,872

The latest figures represent an increase of 502 nominated testers in a year, equivalent to approximately 0.8%.

Private MOT station numbers, meanwhile, fell by just five.

It would therefore be misleading to describe the latest figures as evidence of widespread MOT station closures. The private testing network remains broadly stable.

More than 10,000 additional MOT testers since 2013/14

The longer-term trend is much more significant.

DVSA recorded 56,872 nominated testers in 2013/14.

By 2025/26, that had increased to 66,925.

That means there are now 10,053 more nominated MOT testers than in 2013/14, representing an increase of approximately 17.7%.

Over the same period, private MOT testing stations increased from 22,062 to 23,092 – growth of approximately 4.7%.

Tester numbers have therefore grown substantially faster than the number of private testing stations.

Nearly three testers for every private MOT station

Analysis of the DVSA figures by MOT Tester also reveals another interesting change.

There are now approximately 2.9 nominated testers for every private MOT testing station.

In 2015/16, the equivalent figure was approximately 2.65 testers per private station.

This does not mean every testing station employs three testers – individual businesses and testing volumes vary considerably – but it provides an indication of how the tester population has changed relative to the size of the private testing network.

What does DVSA mean by a nominated tester?

A nominated tester is a person approved to carry out MOT tests.

MOT testing can only take place at an authorised vehicle testing station, with testers required to meet DVSA qualification, training and assessment requirements.

The vast majority of MOT stations recorded in the figures are private testing stations.

However, DVSA also recorded 222 “other” MOT stations during 2025/26.

According to DVSA, this category includes testing stations operated by organisations including designated local authorities, the Crown, some police authorities and Post Office-operated testing stations.

The number of these other stations increased from 219 in 2024/25 to 222 in 2025/26.

More than 35 million MOT tests during 2025/26

The size of the MOT testing workforce can also be viewed alongside the enormous volume of testing carried out across Great Britain.

Separate DVSA data for 2025/26 records approximately 35.5 million initial MOT tests across all vehicle classes.

Classes 3 and 4 – which include cars, light vans and passenger vehicles with up to 12 seats – accounted for approximately 33.3 million tests.

Across all classes, around 7.8 million tests initially failed during the year.

This illustrates the scale of the MOT system that the UK’s testing stations and nominated testers are responsible for delivering.

DVSA also publishes tester disciplinary figures

Alongside its latest testing statistics, DVSA has updated its annual data covering disciplinary action against MOT testers and Authorised Examiners.

For 2025/26, DVSA recorded:

DVSA action	Number
MOT testers withdrawn	288
MOT testers withdrawn after appeal	59
MOT testers warned	176
Authorised Examiners withdrawn	145
Authorised Examiners withdrawn after appeal	57
Authorised Examiners warned	247

The terminology used by DVSA in its latest dataset has changed compared with the previous year.

For 2024/25, for example, the dataset recorded 307 MOT testers as “disqualified”, whereas the 2025/26 figures use the term “withdrawn”.

For that reason, direct year-on-year comparisons should be made with care.

What can cause DVSA disciplinary action?

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

Its current MOT Testing Guide says minor shortcomings will normally result in advice or counselling, while more serious problems – or repeated minor shortcomings – can lead to formal disciplinary action.

In serious cases, prosecution can also be considered.

Possible formal outcomes include a warning, temporary suspension or cessation of a tester’s approval or an Authorised Examiner’s authorisation.

DVSA says shortcomings that threaten road safety, affect the environment or undermine the integrity of the MOT scheme are treated particularly seriously.

Cases involving fraud can also be considered for prosecution.

Compliance remains a major responsibility for MOT businesses

The increase in nominated tester numbers comes at a time when MOT compliance continues to receive considerable attention from DVSA.

Authorised Examiners are responsible for ensuring MOT testing is properly managed, while testers must continue to maintain their competence and carry out tests according to the relevant DVSA inspection manual.

Tester annual training and assessment, quality control, equipment maintenance and calibration, MOT Testing Service security and correct test procedures all form part of operating within the scheme.

The latest disciplinary figures provide a reminder that DVSA can take action against both individual testers and the businesses authorised to provide MOT testing.

Tester numbers growing faster than the MOT station network

The latest DVSA figures do not suggest dramatic changes to the number of MOT testing stations.

Private station numbers have remained remarkably stable.

The more notable development is the growth in the number of people approved to conduct MOT tests.

Since 2013/14, the number of nominated testers has increased by almost 18%, compared with growth of less than 5% in private testing stations.

There are now 66,925 nominated testers supporting a private testing network of just over 23,000 stations.

With tens of millions of MOT tests carried out every year, the figures demonstrate the scale of the MOT industry – and the importance of maintaining testing standards across an increasingly large tester population.

DVSA states that its MOT testing datasets are compiled from data it holds but are not classed as official statistics and are therefore not subject to scrutiny and assessment by the UK Statistics Authority.