Ghost MOTs – What Are They, and How Can You Stay Safe?
Halloween has been and gone, so why are we still talking about ghosts? Well this is actually something altogether more fiendish… ghost MOTs are no joke, and figures released by the DVSA (under a freedom of information request by a third party) show that 1,809 vehicles were found with ghost MOTs in 2024. That’s almost double the previous year.
There’s even a website dedicated to selling ghost MOTs, which they’re calling “remote MOTs without a physical inspection”. The same website also claim to be able to get points off your licence, lift driving bans, and clear your motoring offences records – all of which is dangerously dodgy at best, and highly illegal at worst.
So what are ghost MOTs, and how do they affect drivers?
The rise in ghost MOTs (or fraudulent MOT certificates)
A ghost MOT is a real MOT certificate issued for a car that’s never actually been tested. It’s the worst kind of fraud, because it puts people’s lives in danger.
In a press interview, Jack Cousens, Head of Road Policy at the AA, shared his concerns, as well as some reasons why they’re on the up:
“MOTs exist to make sure vehicles are safe to drive. Skipping that process puts everyone at risk… People are paying more for these fake MOTs to avoid expensive repairs…”
But it’s not just avoiding repairs – a significant number the cars found to have ghost MOTs were highly modified, and their drivers were looking for a way out of being caught out by the MOT.
It’s a little more complicated than that though, because many people engage with them thinking it’s for real. Ghost MOTs are a scam, simple as. Usually carried out in private messages over WhatsApp, they’re sold as a legitimate way to get an MOT certificate without a physical inspection – but the truth is, there’s no way to get a valid MOT certificate without an inspection taking place!
One man was caught after issuing 16 fraudulent MOT certificates for vehicles that he never even laid eyes on.
Times are getting strange indeed. So, what are the authorities doing – and is it enough?
Is the DVSA doing anything about it?
The DVSA has said it’s investigating instances of MOT fraud, and is trialling a requirement for photos of vehicles at their MOT tests to be taken. Artificial intelligence and automatic number plate recognition are also being used to flag suspicious activity – but what about websites like the one above, and the WhatsApp and Facebook groups that are getting away with it?
Well, so far… there’s no response to that. It’s a digital problem, but thankfully, there’s a physical solution.
How to stay safe from ghost MOTs
The best way to make sure you’re not getting a ghost MOT is to physically take your car to a trusted garage for its MOT test. Don’t be fooled by “remote MOTs” peddled by absolute blaggers – they are NOT a thing, and your car has to be physically seen to be issued an MOT certificate.
If an invite to get a remote MOT has come over WhatsApp or Facebook, report the sender – they’re putting people’s lives at risk. Children. Parents. Grandparents. Friends, family… Think of the ones you love, because it could be them.
And make sure you spread the word that “remote diagnostics and MOTs” are total codswallop – there’s no such thing as a remote MOT!
Check your garage
If they’re not registered, then it’s likely they’re faking it, too. Check GOV.UK for a list of active MOT test centres, to make sure yours is legitimate.
Book your MOT with a real, trusted MOT test centre now
Book your MOT test in Eastleigh today, with We Only Do MOTs. We promise to provide a legitimate, physical MOT test to everyone – and while we can’t promise your car will always pass, we will carry out most minor repairs for free!
Send your message to enquiries@onlydomots.co.uk or call us on 023 8064 7180
