The UK Government is cracking down on ‘ghost MOTs’ and fraudulent garages, and will soon be rolling out a new system to help them. Here’s everything you need to know as the MOT rules are changing in 2025:

MOT Rules Are Changing in 2025 – New MOT Regulations

MOTs (Ministry of Transport tests) are mandatory for most vehicles over three years old, and are required every year. This is not the same as an annual service, and the main reason for them is to make sure that all vehicles meet road safety and environmental standards.

In an effort to combat fraudulent MOTs and improve the accuracy of testing, the government will be rolling out a new software that allows garages to submit photos of your vehicle during your MOT. This is part of a larger strategy that the DVSA have been working on since 2023, and was originally trialled last year. Since the original trial, there have been several updates to make the system more simplified and easy to use.

How Will it Work?

Individuals taking their car for an MOT won’t need to do anything differently, and the regulation changes largely just affect garages at this time.

When you take your car for an MOT, the garage will take photos of your vehicle in their testing bay and enter the vehicle’s number plate or VIN. Garages won’t be able to upload stored or saved photos, and they will have to take the photos on a phone or tablet through the new system itself. Photos must include the whole car, and authorised examiners and DVSA staff will be able to access the images once stored.

Why Have the MOT Rules Changed?

The government wants to crack down on fraudulent MOTs in the most effective way, and ghost MOTS account for nearly 80% of all fraudulent MOTs.

Ghost MOTs are when garages issue a ‘valid’ MOT certificate for cars that haven’t been tested. By adding one extra step to make sure that cars are visually documented at the garage, this should help to massively cut down on ghost MOTs. This means fewer vehicles on the road without valid certificates and safer driving conditions for motorists overall.

Other MOT Rule Changes in 2025

Taking photos of cars is only the most recent update to MOT rules that is to be rolled out.

As of December 2024, revised guidelines were issued on how to test braking systems, as well as windscreen wipers, suspension and seat belts. The intention here is to crack down on garages not conducting full and proper tests by setting the standard higher.

In January this year, the penalties for driving without a valid MOT have increased. Any drivers caught without a valid MOT will face an increased fee, which is why it’s more important than ever to make sure that you book yourself in for your annual MOT in advance. That way, you won’t be caught short if you leave it too late.

Classic car drivers should also keep up to date with new rules. Although this is still under consultation, the government is currently reviewing the exemption which allows vehicles over 40 years old (classic cars) to not have an MOT. That means it could soon be mandatory for anyone with a classic car to start bringing their vehicle in for a regular MOT.

MOTs Going Forward

It’s important to understand that the majority of garages will not see any significant changes as a result of the new regulations. Only a very small number of garages are committing fraudulent MOTs, but these regulations are important because faulty or ghost MOTs undermine the validity of MOTs as well as people’s trust in garages.

The tighter regulations are also not solely intended to catch people out, but to help garages spot accidental mistakes, and therefore make MOTs more reliable for everyone. The new regulations are still in their trial period and there may yet be more changes to the system depending on how well received and – more importantly – how successful the rollout is.

Either way, the aim of these new rules is to increase the reliability of MOTs and, in turn, to make roads safer for motorists and passengers. Hopefully, these new regulations are successful, but there is always the chance that future changes to them may occur.

If you are due an MOT or want to hear more about the updated regulations, please get in touch and we will be happy to help you.