Trading Standards warning on MOT certificates

1st October 2012

Businessses are being warned by the Trading Standards Institute not to rely on the printed version of new-style MOT certificates when buying or servicing used vehicles.

TSI’s motor trade lead officer Gerald Taylor said the new certificates were causing concern to police and Trading Standards, because of the ease with which they can be fraudulently reproduced, and a lack of public awareness that paper documents are no longer proof of a valid MOT certificate.

“When the new certificates were first issued in October 2011 they were only intended to be a receipt for the MOT,” he said. “The actual record and full details are stored online at the VOSA website.

“The downloaded certificate in its present form can be altered using the simplest software available with nearly every personal computer.  Purchasers – whether private or trade – should not rely on printed certificates when buying cars. 
There is also the possibility of unscrupulous traders agreeing to MOT a vehicle and charging for it, but not doing it – you would be none the wiser unless you went online.”

Gerald Taylor stressed that the only way to ensure a vehicle has been MOT tested was to check online:  “You will need the serial number of the MOT Certificate or the serial number of the V5.  Extra vigilance should be exercised when purchasing older vehicles, ensuring an online check is always made prior to finalising the purchase,” he said.