DVSA confirms crackdown on MOT fraud

Plans to increase number of prosecutions revealed in latest DVSA business plan

DVSA confirms crackdown on MOT fraud

The DVSA has announced plans to crackdown on MOT fraud and increase the number of prosecution cases.

The plans, published this week in the DVSA’s latest business plan report, suggests the agency will increase its use of intelligence-based targeting which allows it track vehicle movement to better target garages “choosing not to do things right”.

The DVSA report states: “We will increase our capability and capacity to investigate serious fraud and criminal activity by using advanced technology surveillance equipment and associated data processes for MOT surveillance, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).”

More than 1,300 counts of MOT fraud were recorded in 2021 to 2022.

The DVSA aims to maintain the number of MOT cases where it acts upon the most serious fraud, dishonesty and negligence and increase the number of prosecution cases brought from these investigations by ten per cent on 2021 to 2022 figures.

Related: MOT fraud on the rise, DVSA figures show

Other MOT focus areas outlined in the report include improving the reminder service to make it easier to use, continued investment to enable new ‘connected’ test equipment and enhancing existing MOT services to collect data from vehicle manufacturers on vehicles subject to recalls and updates.

The report’s non-executive chair and chief executives’ foreword reads: “The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has risen impressively to the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and we’ve been proud to lead an agency that has worked tirelessly to deliver services to our customers.

“Together with our partners, we’ve kept Britain moving, ensuring that critical services continue to operate.

“Working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to support industry, this year we [have] been working with industry to manage vehicle MOT demand peaks for light and heavy vehicles and implement the recommendations of the heavy vehicle testing review.”

Related: Petition opposing dangerous two-year MOT plans gains momentum

The report comes amid concerns following the Transport Secretary’s recent suggestion to scrap the annual MOT in favour of testing every two years.

While the report makes no mention of such a move, it’s thought to remain on the government’s agenda as a possible way to help ease the current cost-of-living crisis.

A petition launched by Stephen Browne of Meadowfield AutoCentre in Newcastle Upon Tyne to oppose the two-year MOT plans has so far attracted more than 6,800 signatures.

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