Skip advert
Advertisement

MoT test pass certificates axed as paperwork goes ‘online only’

Garages have axed annual MoT test paperwork, aiming to cut down fraud - not trees

MOT Sign

If you’re hoping to walk away from your next MoT test triumphantly clutching that vital ‘pass’ certificate, you’re going to be disappointed. The government, via the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, has told garages to stop issuing paper records for a successful MoT test, preferring that drivers view their MoT pass details online.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The move will make the MoT process slicker, provide better information for customers, minimise opportunities for fraud and save trees, the DVSA says. Between March 2022 and 2023, it says there were 34.5 million MoTs carried out across the UK, and if every one of these tests had an A4 certificate printed the documents would stretch for 4,500 miles end-to-end. Looking at it another way, they’d cover an area equivalent to 295 Wembley Stadium pitches, using 13,8000 boxes of A4 paper, equivalent to more than 4,000 trees.

Those figures were provided by Chris Price, head of MoT policy at the DVSA. It has been optional for garages to print out MoT emissions test passes since January 2021, and optional for the drivers to receive a paper record of the MoT itself since September of that year. However, as of this month garages will not be issuing pass certificates as a matter of policy, although fail certificates are currently remaining in paper form. Back in December last year, however, Price told MoT testers they have the flexibility to not issue ‘fail’ paperwork either. 

“We’re now giving you the flexibility to not issue a paper fail certificate if the customer is able and willing to view the vehicle’s MOT record and history online,” he said, while suggesting paper fail certificates could still be issued for customers with multiple or complex failures so it’s made very clear exactly what fixes are required in any particular case.

“If the customer would prefer to look at this information online using the MOT history service, that’s fine,” he said. “We want them to be able to choose what works best for them.”

What are your thoughts on axing annual MoT test paperwork? Let us know in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car cloning explained: what happens when your car’s identity gets stolen?
Thief stealing a Fiat 500's number plate

Car cloning explained: what happens when your car’s identity gets stolen?

Find out what to do if your car has been cloned and why it might have happened
Tips & advice
20 Nov 2024
Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
Ford parked on pavement

Is it illegal to park on the pavement?

Here are the rules covering pavement parking in London and the rest of the UK
Tips & advice
19 Nov 2024
Single yellow line: what this road marking means for UK drivers
Single yellow line

Single yellow line: what this road marking means for UK drivers

What does a single yellow line mean, and can you park on one?
Tips & advice
12 Nov 2024
What do dashboard warning lights mean?
Dashboard displaying multiple warning lights

What do dashboard warning lights mean?

Dashboard lights can be a costly thing to ignore, so we explain what they all mean
Tips & advice
11 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer
New Jaguar logo 1

New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer

Jaguar has revealed its new logos and styling details ahead of its transition into a luxury EV brand
News
19 Nov 2024