Report an MOT tester
Find out if you can report an MOT tester or centre for fraud, how to report them (including without giving your name), and what will happen next.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
You can report an MOT tester or centre to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you think they’re breaking the law. This includes if they are:
- giving an MOT certificate to a vehicle they know should have failed
- giving an MOT certificate to a vehicle they have not tested
- taking bribes for MOT certificates
There is a different process to appeal an MOT result if you think the tester got it wrong.
Report the MOT tester
Contact DVSA to report the MOT tester or centre. You can do this anonymously (not giving your name) or give your details.
You need to give as much information as possible about:
- who’s involved
- what the MOT tester or centre has been doing
- where it happened
- when it happened
- the vehicles involved, including the registration numbers (number plates) if you know them
DVSA Intelligence Unit
enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 030 4103
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
DVSA Intelligence Unit
The Ellipse
Padley Road
SA1 8AN
Reporting something anonymously
If you call or write anonymously:
- you’ll never be asked for your name or to provide contact details
- your call will not be traced
- you will not have to make a statement or be called as a witness
- you will not have to appear in court
Depending on what you’re reporting, it might be possible for the MOT tester or centre to work out that you reported it - even if you report it anonymously.
If you do give your contact details
You can ask to remain anonymous. However, if you give DVSA your contact details you might:
- be contacted for more information
- be asked to provide a statement
- have to act as a witness and appear in court
Read the privacy notice for reporting an MOT tester to find out more about how your details are stored and used.
What happens next
DVSA will review the information and decide what to do next.
This could include:
- investigating the report further
- asking you for more information if you did not make the report anonymously
- working with other government departments and agencies or the police
Depending on how serious the offence is the tester or centre could be:
- banned from carrying out MOTs
- fined
- given a prison sentence
Getting feedback on what happened
If you ask DVSA to give you feedback on what happened with a criminal prosecution, you’ll get it when:
- any investigation and criminal or other official proceedings have ended
- a decision has been made if the person appeals against their verdict
DVSA cannot give feedback on an ongoing case. Criminal investigations can take time.