Ghost MOT Scam Alert: Drivers Beware of Fake Certificates Causing Massive Repair Costs

Imagine you’ve just acquired a used car. It’s a bit older than you had hoped, but your concerns were alleviated by the fact that it had recently cleared its MOT examination.

However, within days, you encounter steering issues and decide to have it checked at a garage. There, not only is the steering problem confirmed, but it’s also discovered that the tyre tread depth is dangerously low, contradicting the earlier MOT results.

You find yourself the unfortunate target of a “ghost MOT.” You possess a certificate asserting that your car was inspected and found compliant, but in reality, the inspection never occurred.

This fraudulent act is perpetrated by some garages or mechanics who claim to conduct thorough inspections but merely log the vehicle as passing in the system, sometimes without the vehicle ever being present at the garage.

The MOT, a mandatory test for vehicles over three years old in Great Britain, is designed to uphold minimum safety standards and is conducted in approximately 23,000 accredited garages, taking around 45 minutes by certified testers. (In Northern Ireland, the tests are carried out at official government facilities.)

Owners can fall prey to “ghost MOTs” if they purchase from a dealer or an individual who has collaborated with unethical mechanics to falsely pass the inspection, or if the garage they chose to perform the MOT did not conduct the test genuinely.

Andy Turbefield, Head of Quality at Halfords, notes that many drivers only discover they have been scammed when they visit another garage and find faults that should have been identified during a legitimate MOT.

“Consumers might not even realize that their supposedly MOT-certified vehicle never actually underwent the proper inspection at a certified MOT facility,” he explains.

Earlier this year, a mechanic and an MOT tester were handed suspended sentences for their roles in issuing fraudulent MOT certificates.

Victims of these scams may later face significant repair costs for issues such as worn brake pads, bald tyres, or faulty lighting, increasing the risk of accidents.

Furthermore, if an accident occurs involving a vehicle with a counterfeit MOT, insurance companies may investigate the validity of the MOT, potentially leading to a denial of coverage.

Recognizing the Fraud

The deceit involves issuing a legitimate-looking MOT certificate, as the vehicle is registered in official records as having passed.

Steps to Take

KwikFit, a car repair chain, recommends choosing a garage where the staff thoroughly explains the MOT process, discusses any advisories or reasons for failure, and seeks approval before making any repairs. Opt for well-reviewed garages with trusted reputations.

An average MOT should last between 40 and 50 minutes. Turbefield warns against garages that offer unusually quick services, suggesting a half-hour wait might indicate a sham.

Also, be cautious of prices significantly below the market rate, as the maximum charge for an MOT is £54.85.

Post-MOT checks by the vehicle owner can also confirm if the test was conducted properly, focusing on functioning lights and other visible issues.

Scrutinize the MOT history of a secondhand car, especially if the certificate was issued on the day of purchase, or if an older vehicle has a suspiciously clean record without any advisories.

Suspicious MOT practices can be reported to the DVSA via their website.

The agency is also piloting new measures requiring testers to photograph the vehicle during inspection and upload these images as part of the testing process.