The scheme is gradually being rolled out
A change to MOT tests could soon become a legal requirement(Image: Getty)
Motorists have been warned about a change to MOT tests that could soon become a legal requirement. The DVSA has been running a trial of a new feature for MOTs, where testers are required to take a photo of the vehicle at the garage and upload it to the digital MOT Testing Service.
The idea of the scheme is to prevent ‘ghost MOTs’, where an MOT certificate is issued for a vehicle but it has not actually been through the annual test. An initial trial involved 170 MOT testers at 62 garages taking pictures of the cars they were putting through the test.
A total of 13,000 photos were taken and uploaded. As this initial phase was deemed to be a success, it is now moving to a second phase, with the number of garages involved increasing almost fourfold, as 244 garages will now take part. Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, said the new measure will likely become a universal requirement.
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He said: “While not yet a requirement for all centres, it is likely that it will be phased in across the UK and eventually become a legal requirement. The DVSA has confirmed it will be widening the trial with more garages after feedback has been collected from all the garages who took part in the first trial – all of whom are still using the service.”
DVSA statement
A DVSA spokesperson said previously: “While only a small number of testers and garages are involved in MOT fraud, it does happen and puts our roads at risk. DVSA wants to create a level playing field for all and we’ve taken action, helping to reassure drivers that their vehicle’s MOT will be conducted to the correct standard.
“Alongside investigation of potential instances of MOT fraud our recent Photos of Vehicles at MOT trial has shown real promise so far and we’re excited to roll it out further.”
A trial of a new feature of MOT tests is being expanded(Image: Getty)
The DVSA was asked if the MOT tester is obliged to tell a driver if their vehicles is being photographed as part of the trial. The group said: “There is no requirement for the driver or vehicle presenter to be notified when images are captured during an MOT test.
“This activity is part of the standard process of registering a vehicle for test, during which various details of the vehicle’s identity are verified and recorded in the MOT Testing Service.”
Officials from the department also said that drivers or vehicle presenters cannot request copies of the images or request for them to be deleted. However, all images are automatically deleted from the system after a retention period of 12 months, unless they are needed as evidence in any legal or other proceedings.
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But drivers can spot if the garage they are using is taking part in the trial, as all authorised testing stations have to display an updated VT9A fees and appeal poster, with information about images being taken. This poster displays details of the fees involved with your MOT as well as with the appeals process.
Mr Barker said it would be a good idea for the images to be made available to the public. He said: “Ideally, they will be publicly available if imagery becomes a mandatory part of the test.
“This would help not only the DVLA, but the police and insurers as they will be able to check the status of any car in the UK. Plus, the addition of photographs to the already very useful online MOT history would give further confidence to used car buyers researching the history of their prospective purchase.”
