New MOT test changes are launching across the UK today as the Government works to crack down on fraud and garages faking tests.
At the end of July, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announced that new features are being rolled out for the MOT testing service.
The new rules, which are being introduced today (Monday, August 3, 2026), will allow testers to take and upload a photo of a vehicle being tested.
Around 2,500 garages across Great Britain will be included in the first phase of the national rollout of the new feature.
The feature is being updated to deter fraudulent MOT activity, support vehicle identity verification and improve confidence in MOT testing.
It will also reduce the risk of MOT certificates being issued where no vehicle is present, which has been noted as a growing issue in recent years.
The DVSA also hopes that the new photo measures will contribute to road safety objectives, which has been a core factor in Labour’s mission to improve safety.
Testers will be able to take photos of the vehicle before it is tested using a smartphone or tablet, before uploading it to the MOT testing service.
New MOT features are being rolled out today (Monday, August 3)
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Photos are not stored on the device, while the DVSA noted that taking and uploading photos is currently optional.
An MOT test can continue without any garage employee taking a photo by selecting “the most appropriate reason”.
It clarified that testers would not be prevented from recording the MOT test result if they cannot take or upload a photo.
The DVSA acknowledged that some garages may need time to install equipment or improve their connectivity provisions.
Garages are being encouraged to roll out the new photo features
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GETTYDespite this, the agency “strongly encouraged” garages to start using the feature where possible to help them become familiar with the features.
It stated that this would make the process simpler and make the transition easier if testing photos become mandatory in the future.
Commenting on the new features, Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, explained that the new measures are a “smart move” to tackle “ghost” MOTs.
He said: “A ‘ghost’ MOT is where a certificate is issued for a car that was never actually inspected, or in some cases wasn’t even at the garage.
Previous trials saw more than 300 garages take part in testing the new photo features
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GETTY“Taking a photo of the vehicle during the test creates proof that it was really there, making it much harder for anyone to submit a fake result without a proper inspection.
“Drivers sometimes turn to faking an MOT because of the cost of a genuine test. But cheating the system and driving with an invalid or fraudulent certificate could land you with a fine of up to £1,000, as well as possible insurance problems.”
The national rollout comes after two successful trials involving hundreds of garages, with feedback being “overwhelmingly positive”.
Testers reported that the feature was straightforward to use and had little or no impact on testing times, although there were some issues with network connectivity and device compatibility.