MOTORISTS have been warned of a new check after authorities launched a scheme to crack down on fraudulent “ghost MOTs”.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is trying to reduce the number of fraudulent MOT pass certificates issued by centres across the UK.
Motorists have been warned of a major change to the MOT test[/caption]
Testers at fraud centres often issue a pass certificate for a vehicle that did not even enter the garage for testing.
Not only is it an illegal practice, it could also lead to potentially dangerous vehicle faults, putting all motorists at risk.
To avoid this, testers at MOT centres could soon be required to take pictures of the cars while they are being checked for the passed certificate.
The pictures should show the front or rear of a vehicle and the number plate must be clearly visible.
Testers would then be required to submit the pictures to the official MOT website.
The upload technology will prevent pre-stored pictures being used, AutoexpressUK reports.
A DVSA spokesperson said in a statement: “We know ghost MOTs account for nearly 80 per cent of all fraudulent MOTs, making it a clear area for us to tackle.
“Knowing if a vehicle is where it should be at the time of test should reduce the number of MoTs carried out when the vehicle isn’t present.
“Potentially, both authorised examiners and DVSA will be able to see the images stored against the test record, and this will help all of us to crack down on fraud.
“It will enable us to focus our efforts on helping garages do the right thing, but also free up time to focus on those who are not and deal with them accordingly.”
Meanwhile, dozens of classic cars could face MOT tests for the first time to remain on UK roads.
At the moment, vehicles above the age of 40 are not legally required to undergo the annual safety check.
This is provided that the motors have not been substantially modified from when they were new.
But more than two in five who responded to a Department for Transport (DfT) public consultation agreed that safety checks should be introduced for cars more than 40 years old.
The consultation, which had just over 1,000 respondents, asked whether MOTs or similar checks should be made mandatory for classic and historic cars.
Although no decision has been made, it is a sign that the older vehicles could in future be subject to the checks.
It comes after a motoring expert revealed the major car brand most likely to pass its MOT on the first try.
And a car whizz has slammed an MOT mechanic after they added dozens of advisories about his motor.
Full MOT checklist
CHECKOUT our one-stop checklist that will make sure you are prepared to pass your next MOT.
Tyres and wheels – Look out for damage to the sidewall of your tyres and make sure they’re sufficiently inflated.
Use the 20p coin test to make sure your tyres have the right tread depth, which should be 1.6mm all the way around across the central three-quarters of the tread pattern.
The outer edge of a 20p coin will be completely obscured if the tread is deep enough.
Also, be careful space-saver spare tyres could catch you out in the test, so replace them with standard tyres of the right type and size that fit properly before the test.
Lights – Check all of the car’s lights are working properly and are the right colour to pass an MOT test.
Have someone walk around the car and make sure they don’t flicker when tapped which could mean they need tightening or replacing.
This includes headlamps, parking lights, reversing lights, indicators, registration plate bulbs and, on more recent vehicles, daytime running lights.
Wipers and windscreen – Replace wipers that smear because they are probably worn out and top up the washer bottle.
Check your headlight washers if you have any.
Make sure there are no chips or cracks longer than 1cm on your windscreen and remove any stickers that could obstruct your view.
Number plates – Registration plates legally have to be in good condition, tightly fastened to the car and easily read from 20 metres away, so checking these is a must if you want to pass your MOT test.
Doors – Fix any broken doors or ones that don’t stay properly closed.
Front doors need to be openable from inside and out for safety reasons.
General condition – Make sure the exterior of your car is up to scratch.
Any sharp edges or pieces of metal sticking out could cause a danger to other road users and will definitely fail the MOT test.
Inside a car – Your dashboard will pop up with flashing warning lights if anything needs to be fixed under the bonnet like power-steering or brake-fluid warnings.
Make sure you have a fully functioning speedometer or you will fail the MOT test
