A NORTH Ayrshire MOT testing centre has been given a five-year ban for falsifying certificates.
Porter's MOT Station, Kilwinning, has been sanctioned by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) following an investigation earlier this year.
The DVSA said the ban was for:
- MOT testing with emissions equipment with an expired calibration certificate
- Knowingly testing vehicles with faulty or uncalibrated equipment
- Falsified calibration certificates
- Production of false documents and/or false statements to DVSA or MOT training providers
The ban, which came into force in April, was confirmed after growing concern about falling MOT standards.
A spokesperson for the DVSA said: "Our priority is to make sure that MOTs are carried out to the correct standard consistently.
“Every MOT garage must have the right equipment and make sure it is calibrated to the correct specification to provide an MOT test.
“Faulty and uncalibrated equipment cannot be used to test a vehicle to the required standard and can allow an unsafe vehicle back on the road.
“Where DVSA identifies any wrongdoing or negligence, we will take the strongest possible action against them.”
One former motor industry executive now living in North Ayrshire said he knew of at least four garages and testing stations in the Three Towns and surrounding area that were issuing false MOT certificates.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, told Ayrshire Weekly Press: "It’s rife... and this illegal practice will not stop until the authorities - that’s the DVSA and the government - take drastic action.
“This has become a serious road safety issue. Increasing numbers of cars being MOT’d have either never been tested or have been falsely passed as fit for the road.
“The first step towards rooting out those culprits issuing false documents would be to impose much stiffer penalties.
“I am aware that the price of equipment used for MOT testing is astronomical and the £58.50 fee for a test nowhere near covers the cost of carrying out proper tests."
He added: "It’s good to see the DVSA has recently introduced more stringent monitoring of MOT testing stations, including the requirement to show and log photographic evidence of vehicles under test to prove they’ve actually been in a garage… but there are those who will find ways around the new regulations.
“Yes, the costs of motoring today are high but motorists who buy these bogus MOTs both risk lives and invalidate their car insurance. And so it can be a total false economy.
“This has become a serious road safety issue.”
Scottish Motor Trade Association CEO Alan Gall said: "The importance of road safety requires greater resources to be directed toward dealing with bogus MOT operators in Scotland.
"We cannot underestimate the consequences of lack of attention by government on this issue.
"Unless action is taken, lives will be lost unnecessarily on our roads, insurance costs will increase as more accidents will happen and motorists will face far higher costs to keep the vehicle on the road, as minor problems will develop into critical issues.
"When money is tight, motorists will look for alternative options and will view any potential risk as a risk worth taking. It is also a fact that with too much reliance on digital MOT checking by roadside cameras, which only confirm if the car has an MOT, not that it has been properly checked for roadworthiness."
He said tougher penalties were required for those issuing bogus certificates.
Gall urged the Scottish Government to allow the Scottish Motor Trade Association to take over MOT test centre monitoring.
He said: "This must be done through a trade association, whose principal function is to protect the industry in Scotland, rather than a commercial business whose motivation is profit. The result would contribute to improved safety on our roads."
Porter's MOT Station has been approached for comment.
