DVSA figures have shown more than 400 MOT authorisations have been withdrawn during 2025/26, highlighting the importance of giving MOT management sufficient focus within increasingly busy workshops, according to Autotech Training.
The latest DVSA data revealed 145 Authorised Examiners (AEs) and 288 MOT testers had their authorisation withdrawn during 2025/26. A further 247 AEs and 176 testers received warnings.
However, Rob Walsh, Head of MOT at Autotech Training, said the figures should not be used to suggest there is widespread non-compliance within the sector. Instead, they highlight the responsibility MOT businesses carry and the challenge of maintaining effective oversight alongside the everyday pressures of running a workshop.
Rob commented: “The vast majority of MOT businesses and testers take their responsibilities extremely seriously. These are busy businesses, often operating under considerable pressure, and compliance is just one of many things a workshop manager may be dealing with on any given day.
“That’s why I don’t think these figures should be used to scare garages. They should prompt a conversation about whether the people responsible for an MOT operation have the time, knowledge and processes they need to manage it effectively.”
The scale of management responsibility is also evident in the latest DVSA figures. There are now 781 more nominated MOT testers than there were two years ago, with numbers rising from 66,144 in 2023/24 to 66,925 in 2025/26. Over the same period, the number of private MOT testing stations has remained broadly static, standing at 23,092 in 2025/26.
While this does not in itself indicate a compliance issue, Rob said it reinforces the importance of effective management at VTS level.
He continued: “As the number of testers increases, making sure there is clear and effective oversight at site level becomes even more important. An MOT operation isn’t simply about making sure individual testers know how to conduct a test correctly.
“Someone has to maintain oversight of the whole operation – from annual training and QC checks through to equipment, test logs, tester performance and keeping up with changes from DVSA.”
The latest figures arrive against a backdrop of changes to MOT oversight. During 2026, DVSA has expanded its fast-track disciplinary process, while the national rollout of Photos at Test is introducing another layer of evidence around individual tests.
Rob believes these developments make it increasingly important for those responsible for an MOT operation to understand not only the rules, but how to actively manage compliance.
He said: “Most MOT businesses already have a lot of the information they need. Test logs, testing times, pass and fail rates, advisories and individual tester performance can all help identify when something looks unusual.
“But data on its own doesn’t manage an MOT station. Somebody needs to understand what they’re looking at, know what normal looks like for their site and testers, and have the confidence to ask questions when something doesn’t add up.”
Autotech Training has previously supported a multi-site automotive business which faced serious DVSA disciplinary action following the actions of an individual tester. A subsequent review identified warning signs within its MOT data which, had they been recognised sooner, could have allowed the business to intervene earlier.
Rob stressed effective MOT management is ultimately about supporting good businesses and testers to maintain standards, rather than creating additional layers of administration.
He concluded: “Good MOT management shouldn’t be about adding another burden to an already busy workshop. It’s about making sure responsibility is clear, the right checks are happening, and managers know what to look for.
“Most importantly, don’t wait until there’s a DVSA visit or a problem has already surfaced before looking closely at your MOT operation. Giving it regular attention protects the business, supports your testers and helps maintain the standards the MOT scheme is there to deliver.”
