EXCLUSIVE: Shocking rise in people getting illegal MOTs
Cases of 'ghost MOTs' doubled in a single year according to a freedom of information request
Last updated 21st Oct 2025
In an exclusive investigation, Greatest Hits Radio can reveal the number of people getting illegal MOTs has doubled in one year.
Also known as a "ghost MOT", it is a legal MOT certificate issued for a vehicle that has never actually been tested or found to have failed.
Head of road policy at the AA Jack Cousens says "people are paying more for these to avoid the more expensive costs of repairs."
"In eight out of ten cases, people don't even get their car seen by a garage.
"There are an increasing number of adverts for these tests online and on social media.
"You are invited into a private chat on Telegram or WhatsApp, asked for the particulars of your car, then pay the money, and usually a legal certificate will be sent over via email" says Mr Cousens.
Figures from a Freedom of Information request to the DVSA show the number of UK vehicles found with a "ghost" MOT rose from 976 in 2023 to 1,809 in 2024.
In Kent, the figures increased from 3 to 74.
Jack Cousens adds: "In the majority of cases, it is people with highly modified cars who, if stopped by police, can provide a legal MOT certificate.
"This is clearly incredibly dangerous. Vehicles need to undergo their annual MOT test to ensure we've got the safest vehicles on our roads.
"This is putting other people at risk of danger".
A DVSA spokesperson said it has "taken action to reassure drivers their vehicle’s MOT will be conducted to the correct standard."
“Alongside investigation of potential instances of MOT fraud our recent Photos of Vehicles at MOT trial has shown real promise so far and we're excited to roll it out further.”
The trial, which is moving on to its second phase, sees testers have to photograph the vehicle as it is being tested, proving that it is in the garage.
The DVSA is also using AI to flag signs of fraud at testing sites and where a ‘ghost’ MOT is suspected, using ANPR to check if a vehicle was in the area of the garage when the test was conducted.
Jack Cousens from the AA says what the DVSA is doing is "good" and "must be continued" but adds more must be done to stop fraudsters from advertising their services online:
"We need DVSA to keep putting pressure on those social media sites.
"We also need the social media sites themselves to realise that this is an illegal practice and uphold their own guidelines in saying that if we see these accounts crop up, we will remove them immediately.
"Far too many accounts seem to be able to continue advertising their ghost MOTs, that an MOT can be done without seeing your car.
"They're very clear and obvious to find, and we need the social media companies to step up."