MOT tester gets eight-month suspended sentence for 31 fraudulent MOT tests

An MOT tester has received an eight-month suspended custodial sentence for issuing 31 MOT certificates without carrying out the tests, at Taunton Crown Court on 26 August 2022. He was also banned from MOT testing for five years by DVSA.

Anton Fricker of Taunton previously pleaded guilty to committing fraud by dishonestly making a false representation by issuing an MOT certificate without performing an MOT test, intending to make a gain for himself or another. The guilty plea was entered at Taunton Magistrates’ Courts on 13 July 2022 and referred to Taunton Crown Court for sentencing. Fricker committed the crimes between 26 August and 18 October 2021 in Taunton and Yeovil.

Fricker’s former employer alerted the DVSA to the issue. DVSA investigated, although Fricker refused to engage with the investigation. Having initially denied the offences, when presented with the evidence, Fricker admitted to the counts and to having received payment for the fraudulent MOTs.

As well as the eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 15 months, Fricker was ordered to carry out 150 hrs of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days and ordered to pay a £500 contribution towards prosecution costs.

Marian Kitson, DVSA’s Director of Enforcement, said: “DVSA’s priority is protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles…Mr. Fricker issued MOT certificates to vehicles without having tested them. He was not only defrauding the MOT system, but he was also defrauding the public who rightly expect the MOT to help keep them and their families safe whilst using the roads. MOT Testers hold a position of trust and Fricker abused that trust. We will ensure that anyone who compromises safety in pursuit of personal gain feels the full force of the law.”

The owners of the 31 vehicles issued with fraudulent certificates have been contacted by DVSA.
In 2021, there were a total of 127 cessation letters issued to Authorised Examiners running Vehicle Testing Stations, and 288 cessation letters issued to Testers for serious related shortcomings in the MOT testing scheme. This includes 85 Authorised Examiner cessation cases and 185 Tester cessation cases relating to Fraud, Dishonesty and Gross Negligence.