Whether you’re new to the road or you’ve been driving for many years, you’re probably aware of the mandatory MOT requirements. What you may not know is that the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) updates its rules every once in a while. It’s, therefore, vital to check for any updates to prevent being in violation of the rules.
Designated MOT centres/testers aren’t left out, as they’re also expected to know how these updates may change or impact their service to the public. That said, Whether you’re a car owner or a DVSA-licensed tester, here are the new MOT updates that all drivers must know.
Safety improvements
Since MOT checks have been in place, there has been significant safety improvement, with car manufacturers adding more problem-warning features to help drivers. Furthermore, the introduction of new cars (like the fully electric and hybrid ones) calls for adjustment or update of the rules to accommodate these new “players” in the “game.”
As the MOT is for the public, both drivers and road users alike, the essence is to keep improving safety and reduce the risk of accidents and danger. Current vehicle owners need it to ensure they’re cars are in good working condition, based on what the law requires. Those looking to buy used cars can also check a car’s MOT history, to ensure they’re making an informed decision.
Recently, the transport secretary, Shapps Grant, looking at things from the perspective of the public, submitted proposals to increase the grace period of MOTs to once in two years as a way for drivers to save money. All this shows why the system is continuously under review and also if changes need to be made based on any new significant development.
Carrying the public along
It’s also worth mentioning that these changes aren’t always introduced without the public’s say. Before changes are introduced and established, legislation is required. Also, before any new legislation is passed, the government often carries out public consultation so that, as stakeholders, the public’s opinion can be factored-in.
As the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency and the Department of Transport both continue to make the United Kingdom’s roads among the safest in the world, changes to the MOT requirement will only be approved after careful assessment of the implication to safety.
Cracking down on fraud
The DVSA, in its MOTs and regulating capacity, ensures that virtually all 30 million Ministry of Transport tests are done in line with the established standards. The tests have so far yielded success, evident with only 2% of road accidents caused by mechanical failure. Still, there have been cases of people trying to bypass the established testing standards.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency has been monitoring fraudulent practices involved with MOT, which has been a joint effort of the public and the proactive work of the DVSA. Cases where vehicles did not even get to testing venues before issuing pass MOT certificates were uncovered. The latest tech and intelligence-driven targeting have been deployed to track vehicle movement. This way, the actual location of vehicles can be determined.
Between 2021 and 2022, a total of 1324 MOT fraud cases were recorded, with around 700 of these cases bordering on negligence and gross dishonesty. It’s mind-boggling that these figures represent a marked increase of 900% from 2017/2018, which recorded only 351. Many of the serious cases were made to face the full wrath of the law, including the banning of 85 authorised examiners and 185 tester cases found to be dishonest or negligent in the discharge of testing service.
Worthy of mention is the investigation of Thornton-Granville of Mitcham following a complaint from members of the public. An inspection of a vehicle fraudulently issued a pass certificate showed over 20 faults, including a missing anti-roll bar, no brake pads, and visible signs of severe corrosion that was so bad that the structural integrity of the chassis was found to have depreciated by more than 50%.
After investigation, the tester pleaded guilty and confessed to having issued no less than 150 fraudulent MOT certificates. He was sentenced at the London Magistrate court to18 months in prison with 240 hours of unpaid labour, including payment of 5000 pounds towards prosecution costs. Furthermore, 138 fraudulent MOT certificates issued by Thornton-Granville have been cancelled and removed from the system so that the vehicle owners can go for legitimate MOT before their vehicles can be roadworthy again.
Paul Rafferty, who issued 47 false MOT certificates within three months, was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison at the Worthing Magistrates Court in February 2022 after an investigation by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency. In addition to his prison sentence, his licence was also suspended for 12 months and he was banned from MOT testing for 60 months. The MOT certificates of the 47 vehicles were cancelled, with the owners notified that their vehicles must pass MOT before returning to the road again.
Improving the integrity of garages
With these DVSA findings, the agency will not allow testers entrusted with MOTs to take advantage of the system for personal gain. The DVSA is also happy to mention that it has honest testing garages, trustworthy testers, and many complaints from the public to help with investigations.
The MOT is to keep road users, both drivers and pedestrians, safe, so the DVSA has warned that it’ll continue to make sure that the few dangerous individuals looking to cheat the system will not outnumber the good and honest ones. The DVSA also warns that the public should desist from trying to cheat the system and instead choose a valid MOT.
