DVSA announces new MOT changes which will impact all drivers

Changes to MOT tests will see testers take photos of vehicles, in efforts to prevent fraud. In a previous trial of the new policy, 170 MOT testers in 62 garages were asked to take pictures of cars and other vehicles on a mobile phone or tablet.

Thie photos were automatically uploaded into the digital MOT Testing Service, to provide evidence that the vehicle was actually present. This is to prevent fraudulent 'ghost' MOTs where an MOT certificate is issued for a vehicle, when it has not actually gone through the annual check-up.

As the trial was a success, the project will now be widened. The DVSA said in a blog post in June 2025: "The success means DVSA will be widening the trial with more garages after we've collated all of the feedback from the garages who took part in the first trial.

"This will help us to get insight on how we can improve the software and process for every kind of garage. We know there's still room to refine and enhance image capture and upload, and we'll continue making improvements as we go.

"The second phase of the trial will focus on testing the system at scale to ensure it's ready for a phased rollout. But we also know the garages who signed up for the service are continuing to use this - and anyone involved in the trial can be sure they are working with DVSA to combat MOT fraud."

The department said this is one of several measures being brought in to tackle errors in the MOT system. James Harding, motor industry at tyre provider Blackcircles, spoke about some of the wider changes that could come in for the MOT test.

He said: "An MOT test is a legal formality that safeguards drivers, passengers, and everyone else on the road. As cars evolve, so does the practice of checking they're road legal.

"This year saw a new test process brought in to tackle MOT fraud (ghost MOTs), resulting in testers having to take live images of the vehicle inside the testing bay, linked directly to the MOT record in the MOT Testing Service (MTS). Other modernisation predictions have been shared by the Institute of Motor Industry, which include the introduction of MOTs in real time, emissions tests to be scrapped for cars manufactured after a certain date, and MOTs to become fully virtual, with cars performing a full diagnostic remotely and sending this to the DVSA."

Mr Harding said there are some aspects of modern cars that are not covered in the MOT test. He explained: "New car systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane assist, and parking sensors are now mandatory in many new vehicles and play a crucial role in modern road safety.

"Despite this, they're not part of a standard MOT test and Industry experts are calling for their inclusion in future MOT tests, but challenges remain." If you have your MOT coming up, the expert said you may want to check for any issues with your vehicle.

Mr Harding said: "While it's hard to determine how much you should budget for MOT repairs, the general advice for people who need to get an MOT is to book it straight away. If you're already aware of any faults with your car, it's strongly recommended to have them repaired before the test to save money on MOT repairs.

"Simple issues like worn tyres, faulty wipers, or a broken headlight are quick fixes that can prevent an automatic MOT failure. More significant mechanical problems should also be dealt with, not just to pass the test, but to ensure your car remains safe and reliable."

He spoke about some other essential parts of your car that you may want to look over before handing over your vehicle for its MOT: "It's worth taking a few minutes to go through a pre-MOT checklist before your appointment. Checking essentials such as lights, tyres, brakes, seatbelts, mirrors, and fluid levels can help you spot minor issues early, fix them easily, and improve your chances of passing the MOT first time and ultimately reducing the cost burden if repairs are needed."