MOT fraud worries

17 September 2012  

CONSUMERS are being warned by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) not to rely on the printed version of new-style MoT certificates when buying cars.

TSI, whose members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and businesses, has issued the warning after a 38-year-old man was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of forging MoT test certificates with intent to deceive. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries by the Cleveland Police.

TSI’s motor trade lead officer Gerald Taylor said that new style MoT test certificates are causing concern to police and trading standards because of the ease with which they can be fraudulently reproduced, and that there is a lack of awareness about the fact that paper documents are no longer proof of existence of a valid MOT certificate.

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

“A public awareness campaign has never been launched by the Department for Transport explaining exactly what members of the public should do. When the new system went live, the Trading Standards Institute voiced its concerns to the Minister of Transport and was been assured that this will be taken into consideration when the progress of the new system is reviewed later in 2012.”

He added: “We are concerned that motorists still do not know that paper certificates are no longer proof of existence of a valid MoT certificate. The downloaded certificate in its present form can be altered and abused at will using the simplest of computer software available with nearly every personal computer. Purchasers – whether private or trade – should NOT rely on printed MoT certificates when buying cars.”

IAAF chief executive Brian Spratt commented, “This is not very surprising and we, and others in the trade, forecast it would happen when VOSA first mooted the ‘plain paper’ certificate. We are also concerned that mileages will be misrepresented on ‘copies’ of the current form of certificate. Members of the public are not aware of the need to check on line.”