Discussion
In NI you actually take your car to a DVLA centre rather than a MOT approved garage, didn't think this sort of thing still went on since everything is computerised.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ir...
Police have launched an investigation into claims that Driver and Vehicle Agency staff are taking bribes to pass cars for MOT. It follows allegations that vehicles are being given certificates without full tests in return for cash. A businessman who called the alleged practice a 'pass for cash' scandal passed his claims onto the authorities overseeing MOT test centres.
The alleged whistleblower, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed the standard fee in Belfast was £150. "I believe public safety is at risk and the public has the right to know," said the man, whose business puts vehicles through the MOT test.
"I have no doubt that this is a problem which is occurring across the entire testing agency."
A series of letters and emails seen by the Belfast Telegraph alleged it was possible for cars to be passed even if they had excessive rot, poor brakes and problems with lights.
Detectives from the PSNI's reactive and organised crime branch are investigating.
The police said in a statement:
"Detectives are investigating to establish if any offences have been committed. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
One letter sent to former Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "With the number of collisions on our roads seeming to have reached a plateau over the last few years - in the region of 5,700-6,100 which I think you will agree is a excessive amount - I am led to question how many of these were possibly down to a fault with vehicles which are not in a roadworthy condition."
The businessman said the scam was possible because around half of the tests primarily involve visual checks.
On emissions, for example, it is claimed the testing device can be left on the ground, rather in the exhaust. And on headlights it is alleged that examiners can sanction a pass even if the computer system involved recommends a fail.
One letter sent to a senior Driver and Vehicle Agency manager said: "I have recently found out that a sum of money can be paid to seemingly carry out a normal vehicle test, yet will give you a certificate of road worthiness, regardless of the condition of your vehicle.
"Whether the vehicle has excessive rot, warning lights, poor brakes etc, for a sum of £100, including your test fee of £30.50, your vehicle will obtain a pass, although I'm led to believe this fee is £150 in the Belfast area."
An email added: "I have presented over 250 vehicles for test through my business, and my concerns now lie for the safety, not only for myself and the general public, but also that of my long-standing customers.
"These are customers whom I will also be advising that they may require a further MOT, and will be encouraging them to request such a test free of charge. A suggestion I will also be making to my other business contacts.
"While you may feel I am being unreasonable or foolish, the facts are that some vehicles on our roads are in receipt of MOT certificates due only to examiner(s) taking cash in exchange for their certificates."
The businessman added: "The only bit they have to work more round is the brakes, but again they seem to have their ways.
"The last stage of the test is totally visual, so they can say they saw nothing wrong, when really it was faulty or bad tyres, parts loose and so on.
"They just overlook it so a very dangerous car could still get through MOT."
A statement from the Department for Infrastructure said: "The department is aware of this correspondence and has responded. The issues raised are being dealt with in line with existing procedures."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ir...
Police have launched an investigation into claims that Driver and Vehicle Agency staff are taking bribes to pass cars for MOT. It follows allegations that vehicles are being given certificates without full tests in return for cash. A businessman who called the alleged practice a 'pass for cash' scandal passed his claims onto the authorities overseeing MOT test centres.
The alleged whistleblower, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed the standard fee in Belfast was £150. "I believe public safety is at risk and the public has the right to know," said the man, whose business puts vehicles through the MOT test.
"I have no doubt that this is a problem which is occurring across the entire testing agency."
A series of letters and emails seen by the Belfast Telegraph alleged it was possible for cars to be passed even if they had excessive rot, poor brakes and problems with lights.
Detectives from the PSNI's reactive and organised crime branch are investigating.
The police said in a statement:
"Detectives are investigating to establish if any offences have been committed. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
One letter sent to former Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "With the number of collisions on our roads seeming to have reached a plateau over the last few years - in the region of 5,700-6,100 which I think you will agree is a excessive amount - I am led to question how many of these were possibly down to a fault with vehicles which are not in a roadworthy condition."
The businessman said the scam was possible because around half of the tests primarily involve visual checks.
On emissions, for example, it is claimed the testing device can be left on the ground, rather in the exhaust. And on headlights it is alleged that examiners can sanction a pass even if the computer system involved recommends a fail.
One letter sent to a senior Driver and Vehicle Agency manager said: "I have recently found out that a sum of money can be paid to seemingly carry out a normal vehicle test, yet will give you a certificate of road worthiness, regardless of the condition of your vehicle.
"Whether the vehicle has excessive rot, warning lights, poor brakes etc, for a sum of £100, including your test fee of £30.50, your vehicle will obtain a pass, although I'm led to believe this fee is £150 in the Belfast area."
An email added: "I have presented over 250 vehicles for test through my business, and my concerns now lie for the safety, not only for myself and the general public, but also that of my long-standing customers.
"These are customers whom I will also be advising that they may require a further MOT, and will be encouraging them to request such a test free of charge. A suggestion I will also be making to my other business contacts.
"While you may feel I am being unreasonable or foolish, the facts are that some vehicles on our roads are in receipt of MOT certificates due only to examiner(s) taking cash in exchange for their certificates."
The businessman added: "The only bit they have to work more round is the brakes, but again they seem to have their ways.
"The last stage of the test is totally visual, so they can say they saw nothing wrong, when really it was faulty or bad tyres, parts loose and so on.
"They just overlook it so a very dangerous car could still get through MOT."
A statement from the Department for Infrastructure said: "The department is aware of this correspondence and has responded. The issues raised are being dealt with in line with existing procedures."
£150 is expensive. Especially when you can order a test certificate from England for half that price. I know of a MOT tester in the mid Ulster area who used to do it for 50. He got caught when they realised he was switching shifts a lot. The cheeky fecker even had the audacity to take DVLNI to court for unfair dismissal and won his case as none of his customers would testify.
Just to add, no I've never had a dodgy MOT certificate but I know people who have.
Just to add, no I've never had a dodgy MOT certificate but I know people who have.
Emanresu said:
£150 is expensive. Especially when you can order a test certificate from England for half that price. I know of a MOT tester in the mid Ulster area who used to do it for 50. He got caught when they realised he was switching shifts a lot. The cheeky fecker even had the audacity to take DVLNI to court for unfair dismissal and won his case as none of his customers would testify.
Just to add, no I've never had a dodgy MOT certificate but I know people who have.
It does seem a bit pricey. If you can't afford to service/prep your car for an MOT then you are not likely to have cash like that laying around.Just to add, no I've never had a dodgy MOT certificate but I know people who have.
It would be great to see some of these dodgy testers penalised. There was a car local to me driving around with the most horrendous crack across the windscreen - I had a look on line to see when its MOT was due and was pleased to see it fail. However, not long after it was miraculously back on the road, 12 month MOT with no advisories, 2 foot crack still very much across the window.
This entire story has come from one source, a business owner who suspects and has heard that an MOT can be bought for a figure he picked out of his ass.
I'll say now that this is a disgruntled customer who's s
tbox didn't pass after a few attempts and he's trying to make out that they are picking on him as they will let others pass that he 'knows' are really a fail.
I'll say now that this is a disgruntled customer who's s
tbox didn't pass after a few attempts and he's trying to make out that they are picking on him as they will let others pass that he 'knows' are really a fail. BlueHave said:
ish if any offences have been committed. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
One letter sent to former Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "With the number of collisions on our roads seeming to have reached a plateau over the last few years - in the region of 5,700-6,100 which I think you will agree is a excessive amount - I am led to question how many of these were possibly down to a fault with vehicles which are not in a roadworthy condition."
probably naff allOne letter sent to former Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "With the number of collisions on our roads seeming to have reached a plateau over the last few years - in the region of 5,700-6,100 which I think you will agree is a excessive amount - I am led to question how many of these were possibly down to a fault with vehicles which are not in a roadworthy condition."
Decky_Q said:
This entire story has come from one source, a business owner who suspects and has heard that an MOT can be bought for a figure he picked out of his ass.
I'll say now that this is a disgruntled customer who's stbox didn't pass after a few attempts and he's trying to make out that they are picking on him as they will let others pass that he 'knows' are really a fail.
I'll say now that this is a disgruntled customer who's s
tbox didn't pass after a few attempts and he's trying to make out that they are picking on him as they will let others pass that he 'knows' are really a fail. article said:
An email added: "I have presented over 250 vehicles for test through my business, and my concerns now lie for the safety, not only for myself and the general public, but also that of my long-standing customers.
Sounds like a 2nd hand car dealer has had a dose of conscience to me. Has any second hand car ever been sold by a dealer (and more so if they have an attached workshop) without a clean MOT?catso said:
BlueHave said:
In NI you actually take your car to a DVLA centre rather than a MOT approved garage, didn't think this sort of thing still went on since everything is computerised.
I don't think computerisation has stopped dodgy MOT passes here on the mainland...2Btoo said:
I can guarantee you that it hasn't.
Back when the Northern Irish test centres were being upgraded, a lot of people took the ferry to Stranraer to get an MoT. They were doing a roaring trade. "Brakes? Well, I saw you stop outside. Lights? Yeah, I saw the brake lights when you stopped outside. Suspension? Well, it's a windy road to get here and you got here fine, so it must be OK. Congratulations, you've passed! Take a seat for half an hour and I'll print off your certificate"...
Dan_M5 said:
I've had dodgy MOT's on my track cars. One didn't even get off my trailer when it was tested
Yeah, me too, although this was 20 years ago. We used to call it a Mail Order MOT. Didn't think it was possible now since it all went computerised, but I guess there will always be ways around these things...Utterpiffle said:
Yeah, me too, although this was 20 years ago. We used to call it a Mail Order MOT. Didn't think it was possible now since it all went computerised, but I guess there will always be ways around these things...
Still the same principle, as long as the MOT tester has a car available to do the emissions check, then mail order MOT's are still available I helped when my daughter wanted to buy a car.
I went to see one with the rubber steering rack boots in shreds. I was told it had just passed its MoT. I took details of the MoT and passed it onto the unit that dealt with such matters. They said that they were inundated with and would not be able to deal. However, the serial number of the cert was stolen. I phoned the bloke to say I wanted to discuss the car's price but he reckoned he'd sold it. A drive past his place proved otherwise.
I had a chat with a civvy from the MoT unit and he said: 'Half are at it. We just have to take one at a time.'
Prosecutions are rare and most only suffer their accreditation being taken away.
I went to see one with the rubber steering rack boots in shreds. I was told it had just passed its MoT. I took details of the MoT and passed it onto the unit that dealt with such matters. They said that they were inundated with and would not be able to deal. However, the serial number of the cert was stolen. I phoned the bloke to say I wanted to discuss the car's price but he reckoned he'd sold it. A drive past his place proved otherwise.
I had a chat with a civvy from the MoT unit and he said: 'Half are at it. We just have to take one at a time.'
Prosecutions are rare and most only suffer their accreditation being taken away.
Derek Smith said:
I helped when my daughter wanted to buy a car.
I went to see one with the rubber steering rack boots in shreds. I was told it had just passed its MoT. I took details of the MoT and passed it onto the unit that dealt with such matters. They said that they were inundated with and would not be able to deal. However, the serial number of the cert was stolen. I phoned the bloke to say I wanted to discuss the car's price but he reckoned he'd sold it. A drive past his place proved otherwise.
I had a chat with a civvy from the MoT unit and he said: 'Half are at it. We just have to take one at a time.'
Prosecutions are rare and most only suffer their accreditation being taken away.
Surely it's fraud by false representationI went to see one with the rubber steering rack boots in shreds. I was told it had just passed its MoT. I took details of the MoT and passed it onto the unit that dealt with such matters. They said that they were inundated with and would not be able to deal. However, the serial number of the cert was stolen. I phoned the bloke to say I wanted to discuss the car's price but he reckoned he'd sold it. A drive past his place proved otherwise.
I had a chat with a civvy from the MoT unit and he said: 'Half are at it. We just have to take one at a time.'
Prosecutions are rare and most only suffer their accreditation being taken away.
There are lots of crimes revealed in enquiries. It is a case of which to go for.
Handling stolen goods is what I thought would be the best option; in 'my' case the MoT certs were stolen from a post office in the Midlands or somewhere similar. But there was a problem with who did what with which. Evidence is often difficult to come by as all witnesses were involved in one way or another.
Stopping the person being able to trade as an MoT tester is quite straightforward. It hits them where it hurts. Also, the evidence against particular persons is not required. It is a company liability.
Handling stolen goods is what I thought would be the best option; in 'my' case the MoT certs were stolen from a post office in the Midlands or somewhere similar. But there was a problem with who did what with which. Evidence is often difficult to come by as all witnesses were involved in one way or another.
Stopping the person being able to trade as an MoT tester is quite straightforward. It hits them where it hurts. Also, the evidence against particular persons is not required. It is a company liability.
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