MOT tester and mechanic issued 223 'ghost' MOTs

An MOT tester and a mechanic who issued 223 MOT certificates for vehicles that were never tested have been handed suspended sentences.

Mechanic Jamie Lee and Owain Shaw, an MOT tester, set up the "extremely dangerous" fraudulent operation at Staple Hill Motoring Centre in Bristol, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Known as 'ghost' MOT testing, the DVSA said Lee would send vehicle registration numbers to Shaw who would issue pass certificates without ever seeing the vehicles.

Both men were handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Bristol Crown Court. They were also ordered to undertake unpaid work.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Staple Hill Motoring Centre, said it was "deeply shocked" to learn that its two former employees had acted dishonestly.

The DVSA said the "dangerous" fraud was uncovered in September 2023 by investigators monitoring the MOT centre.

Shaw was seen issuing an MOT certificate "in under one minute" for a vehicle that was "nowhere to be seen" at the MOT centre.

Following further investigations, the agency said it was discovered that multiple MOT tests were being completed in "unrealistically short time periods".

It was also found that nearly £11,500 had been paid by Lee to Shaw for issuing fraudulent certificates.

"MOT fraud is extremely dangerous," said Marian Kitson, from the DVSA.

"Anyone in the industry who is thinking of making a 'quick buck' should think again.

"Our message is clear; if you risk road safety, we will find you, and we will not hesitate to prosecute you with the full force of the law."

The DVSA said the fraud had allowed 223 potentially unsafe vehicles to remain on Britain's roads.

"We invested in [Lee and Shaw's] training and trusted them to carry out their roles responsibly," said the spokesperson for Staple Hill Motoring Centre.

"Instead, they breached that trust and the confidence placed in them by both the business and our customers."

The centre said the DVSA had recognised the business was a "victim of this misconduct" and its "MOT licence was retained as a result".

"We have since carried out a full review of our procedures and strengthened our compliance systems to ensure this cannot happen again," added the spokesperson.

Shaw pleaded guilty to 44 separate offences. As well as the suspended sentence, he was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work.

Lee must also undertake 250 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of helping to run the fraudulent operation.

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