The number of illegal MOT certificates being issued - known as “ghost MOTs” - has more than doubled in just a year, new figures reveal.
A “ghost MOT” is a real certificate issued for a car that’s never actually been tested, meaning potentially dangerous vehicles can stay on the road.
According to a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) by Greatest Hits Radio, 1,809 vehicles were found to have fake MOTs in 2024 - up from 976 the previous year. In Kent alone, cases jumped from just three in 2023 to 74 this year.
Jack Cousens, head of road policy at the AA, said the rise is largely down to drivers trying to avoid repair bills.
“People are paying for fake MOTs to dodge costly fixes,” he said. “In eight out of ten cases, the car never even goes near a garage.”
Cousens explained that many scams are organised on social media platforms.
“You’re invited into a private chat on Telegram or WhatsApp, asked for your car’s details, pay a fee - and soon after, a legitimate-looking certificate arrives by email,” he said.
Some offenders, he added, are owners of heavily modified cars who want paperwork that appears genuine if stopped by police.
“This is incredibly dangerous,” Cousens warned. “The MOT test exists to make sure vehicles are safe. Skipping it puts everyone at risk.”
In response, the DVSA said it is ramping up efforts to tackle MOT fraud and protect motorists.
A spokesperson said:
“Alongside investigating MOT fraud, our recent ‘Photos of Vehicles at MOT’ trial has shown real promise, and we’re excited to expand it.”
The trial requires garages to take photos of each vehicle during testing to confirm it was physically present. The DVSA is also using artificial intelligence and number plate recognition (ANPR) to detect suspicious activity.
Cousens welcomed the action but said more needs to be done to remove online adverts promoting illegal MOTs.
“We need the DVSA to keep pressure on social media companies – and for those platforms to enforce their own rules. These accounts are easy to find and should be taken down immediately.”
