A 24-year-old Brantham MOT tester has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting to issuing false MOT certificates for vehicles that were never tested.
Huy Dinh The, of Clarkes Road, Harwich, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation and seven counts of making a false instrument when he appeared for sentencing this week. The offences were committed over a six-month period in 2024 while he was employed at Brantham Auto Centre.
The court heard that The, who qualified as an MOT tester after joining the garage in August 2023, created false entries on the digital MOT database for seven vehicles that were never presented for inspection.
Concerns were raised by the garage owner after noticing some tests were recorded as lasting 96 minutes—more than double the average 44-minute duration. A check of the booking system confirmed certificates had been issued for vehicles not booked in.
When confronted, The admitted his actions, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) was informed. Investigators found that most of the vehicles involved were known to The through previous servicing work. He was paid £50 for two certificates, received other work in exchange for one, and issued the rest for free as favours for friends.
The DVSA has removed him from the MOT testing scheme for five years. The court was told The showed genuine remorse and had acted naively.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. He must also pay £1,000 in prosecution costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
Source: East Anglian Daily Times