New MoT test rules require a photo of every car

Technicians will now be required to take a photo of every car during its MoT test as part of a national rollout of new rules designed to combat fraud. 

The rollout of the "Photos at Test" feature began on 3 August following a trial period in 2025 designed to clamp down on the issue of so-called ‘ghost MoTs’. These are defined as when a car is issued an MoT pass either without undergoing a full inspection, or even not turning up for a test in the first place.

MoT technicians will now be required to upload photographs to a central DVSA database using a smartphone or tablet. This will need to show the vehicle on the inspection ramp with its registration plate visible. During a trial at more than 300 of the UK’s over 2,500 garages, employees said taking and uploading the photos had a “minimal” impact on testing times, with a 90 per cent success rate for uploads in the first week.

Head of MoTs at the DVSA, Grant Thunders, said: “Photos at Test will help prevent fraud, provide reassurance to motorists, and protect the reputations of hard working and honest MoT testers across the country.

“This change adds to the range of intelligence and evidence-gathering processes used by DVSA to tackle MoT fraud,” Thunder continued, “and will help us to take action against anyone who attempts to undermine the integrity of the MoT or compromise road safety.”

The move comes as the result of several proposed changes to the UK’s MoT test that have been put forward in recent years. Industry leaders and safety campaigners have called for mandatory three-month follow-ups on tyre advisories, while an EV-specific test (first touted by the EU) could focus on the safety of battery and driver-assistance systems.

Yet the main concern for the garage industry is the cost of MoTs which is fixed at a maximum of £54.85 and has been in place for 15 years. The Independent Garage Association says it has secured a meeting with the Government to discuss this issue, with its chief executive, Stuart James, saying: “The MoT fee has been overlooked for far too long now, which undermines [the test’s] financial viability.

“Our position remains clear,” Stuart stated. “The MoT fee must be urgently reviewed to ensure MoT testing remains financially viable for independent garages. A sustainable testing network is essential to road safety, consumer choice and continued access to MoT testing for motorists across the UK.”

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