The number of fraudulent MOT certificates being issued across the UK, often called ‘ghost MOTs’, has surged dramatically over the past year, according to new figures released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
A ghost MOT occurs when a genuine certificate is created for a vehicle that never actually undergoes a test, allowing potentially dangerous cars to stay on the road.
Recent DVSA data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, reveals that 1,809 fraudulent MOTs were uncovered in 2024. That’s almost double the number detected the previous year.
Some regions have seen sharp increases: in Kent, for example, recorded cases jumped from just three in 2023 to 74 in 2024.
According to the AA’s head of road policy, Jack Cousens, the rise in ghost MOTs is being fuelled by motorists trying to sidestep costly repairs.
Many of these scams are reportedly arranged through private online groups on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, where drivers are invited to share their vehicle details and pay for a fake certificate that looks authentic but has no legal standing.
“This kind of activity is incredibly dangerous,” Jack warned. “The MOT exists to ensure a car is safe for the road. Skipping that process puts not only the driver but everyone else at risk.”
He also noted that some offenders are car enthusiasts seeking paperwork for heavily modified vehicles to make them appear legitimate if stopped by police.
“Social media platforms must also take responsibility. These illegal adverts are easy to find and they should be shut down immediately,” Jack added.
The DVSA said it is actively tackling MOT fraud and enhancing systems to reassure both garages and motorists that the testing process remains robust.
A spokesperson highlighted the success of the agency’s ‘Photos of Vehicles at MOT’ initiative, a pilot requiring garages to photograph vehicles during testing to prove their presence on-site.
The DVSA is now preparing to expand the scheme nationally and is also using AI and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to spot irregular testing patterns.
Why it Matters
For legitimate garages, the rise in ghost MOTs poses both a safety concern and a reputational challenge. The vast majority of garages follow strict testing procedures, but illegal operators undermine trust in the entire MOT system.
Independent garages can play a key role in restoring that trust, by maintaining transparent records, supporting the DVSA’s anti-fraud efforts, and educating customers about the real risks of fake MOTs.
What’s your view? Have you seen or heard of this happening in your area? Drop a comment below…
2 comments
What is 1809 fraudulent mots in percentage terms to the total amount of mot’s carried out in the uk ?
According to Google Ai 30million mot’s were carried out in the uk last year most of which were cars class 4.
It’s a very very low percentage.
I think if this issue was advertised with these figures no body would bother with or look in to the matter.
But DVSA has to justify there budget
Hi Stuart, that’s a fair question, and you’re right: 1,809 fraudulent MOTs represent a tiny fraction of the 42 million tests carried out each year (around 0.004%).
But what’s important to recognise is that those are just the detected cases. Each one of those certificates effectively puts an untested vehicle on the road, which is why the DVSA treats the issue seriously. Even a small number can have serious consequences if a car with a fake pass is involved in a collision.
The vast majority of MOT testers and garages do things properly and take real pride in their work, which is exactly why the DVSA’s measures to prevent fraud, like the photo verification scheme, are designed to protect their reputation as much as public safety.