A Bristol MOT tester who logged more than 800 fraudulent MOTs at a garage in the city has been prosecuted and banned from MOT testing for five years, and the type of brake tests being submitted for the fake tests helped DVSA catch him.

David Stephen Carden was convicted yesterday (Thursday 23 February) of recording MOTs to vehicles which had not entered Auto Scuderia garage in Bristol between 1 August 2021 and 14 January 2022. He recorded 1,300 MOT tests over the six-month period. The average number carried out over a six-month period is 284. Many of the registered keepers of the vehicles were not local, with some living up to 279 miles away. Many of the bogus tests also included a decelerometer brake test, instead of the required roller brake test, which helped give him away.

DVSA Director of Enforcement s Marian Kitson commented: “Mr Carden issued MOT certificates to vehicles he had not seen or tested. He was both defrauding the MOT system and the public who rightly expect the MOT to help keep them and their families safe while using the roads. We will ensure that anyone who compromises safety in pursuit of personal gain feels the full force of the law.”

David Carden was sentenced to eight months in prison on each of 12 counts of fraud, to run concurrently and suspended for 12 months. He also has to do 150 hours of unpaid work, 10 rehabilitation days and was ordered to pay a contribution towards prosecution costs of £2,250. 809 other cases were taken into consideration.

To report MOT fraud, go to: www.gov.uk/guidance/report-an-mot-tester