MOT test certificates spotted with bizarre extra detail – but does it really affect car safety?
MOT test certificates have been spotted with bizarre extra detail – and people are asking if this really affects car safety.
The certificates have also led to questions over the professional conduct of those involved.
Incredibly rude MOT forms containing an expletive note insulting drivers have been revealed on the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website.
Twitter user @ThePollit published a picture of an MOT form – and in the section monitor and repair if necessary, it says: “the owner is a nonce – dangerous.”
However, he’s not the only user that has picked up on the unpleasant notes in random MOT certificates.
User @TheTrudgians shared a picture of a failed MOT, and the advisory notice items section reads: “too clean for emissions and owner smells of wee.”
Another driver’s MOT form says: “owner is an idiot.”
And the tester wrote on the MOT form of another driver: “Clearly likes men.”
MOT garages carry out the tests and fill in the forms and advisory notes – which are then sent to the relevant government agency.
The notes are then uploaded by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff to the public-searchable official website.
The Gov.uk website describes advisory items as being provided solely for advice, but ‘if they become more serious, your vehicle may no longer be roadworthy and could require immediate attention.’
MOT testers are not employed by DVSA – they are employed by local garages.
The Agency told Yahoo News: “We don’t know why the tester at a garage decided to write this on an MOT certificate or what the circumstances were that made the tester do this.
“We regulate MOT testers and, as a result, have taken the post down, as it is offensive, and we are investigating it.”
And Neil Barlow, DVSA’s Head of Vehicle Engineering, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive.
“The comment posted on the MOT history service is completely unacceptable and has now been removed. We are investigating this further.
“Since 2017, there has been a profanity filter in place to stop MOT testers being able to include these words on a certificate.”