Oxford News
DVSA MOT change to tackle fraudulent MOT certificates
The new rule is part of a plan to tackle “ghost MOTs,” in which certificates are issued to vehicles that are never actually inspected at the test station.
The national rollout of the system began on August 3, following trials in more than 300 garages across Great Britain. More than 60,000 images were uploaded during the pilots, with the DVSA reporting strong support from testers and garage owners.
Grant Thunder, head of MOT at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said: “The MOT is designed to help keep road users safe by helping ensure vehicles are roadworthy and environmental standards are maintained.
“Photos at test will help prevent fraud, provide reassurance to motorists, and protect the reputations of hard working and honest MOT testers across the country.
“This change adds to the range of intelligence and evidence gathering processes used by DVSA to tackle MOT fraud, and will help us to take action against anyone who attempts to undermine the integrity of the MOT or compromise road safety.”
The new requirement aims to give DVSA greater evidence that a vehicle was physically present during testing. Each year, millions of drivers rely on the MOT to confirm that vehicles on UK roads are safe and compliant with environmental standards.
However, a minority of individuals attempt to game the system by issuing certificates for vehicles that never arrive at the test station – often meaning unroadworthy or unsafe vehicles remain on the road.
Mr Thunder said this not only puts motorists at risk but also undermines confidence in the MOT system and the many garages who follow the rules.
The photo requirement will be made mandatory following changes to the MOT testing guide, MOT testing manuals, and DVSA operating instructions.
During the first phase of the DVSA trial, 62 garages uploaded more than 13,000 images, averaging 450 to 500 per day.
In the busiest garages, upload success rates reached 90 per cent in the first week, and many achieved 99 to 100 per cent.
A second, larger trial included an additional 244 garages and saw more than 47,998 images uploaded, with an overall success rate of 92 per cent.
More than half of participating users said they were very satisfied with the process, describing it as “easy,” “painless,” and “stress-free.”
The DVSA said the trials confirmed that the feature had little impact on test times, with standard MOTs taking around 40 minutes and re-tests only slightly longer.
For motorists, the new process will not involve any changes to how they book or attend an MOT.
The photograph will simply serve as proof that the vehicle was physically present in the testing bay.
Images will be stored securely within the MOT Testing service and used solely for verification by the DVSA.
They will not appear on the public MOT history service, cannot be linked to vehicle owners, and do not include any personal data.
The DVSA emphasised that the vast majority of garages and MOT testers carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and integrity.
The new measure is designed to protect the reputation of honest testers while giving motorists greater confidence that vehicles issued with an MOT certificate have genuinely been inspected.
TG Jones, formerly known as WH Smith, has secured court approval for a major restructuring, which is expected to lead to the closure of around 150 stores and affect hundreds of jobs.
In July, TG Jones’ restructuring plan was approved by the High Court in a move which will save the business from insolvency.
Closing-down sale signs have appeared in TG Jones shops across the UK, with customers also able to shop its sale online.
UK high street shops that no longer exist
TG Jones’ website is giving customers the chance to buy items for as little as £1, with everything from gift bags to books and toys included in the closing-down sale.
The retailer warned online customers: “Don’t miss your last chance to buy and grab your favourites for less today – once items in our Sale are gone, they really are gone forever!”
Online offers include:
- 50% off signed & special edition books
- Up to 50% off stationery
- 20% off LEGO sets
- Up to 75% off Christmas shop
It has been announced that stores in Essex (Basildon, Southend and Maldon) will close in September and October, and the Stroud store is also hosting a sale for customers before it leaves the high street.
The chain of shops was renamed to TG Jones last year after being bought by Modella, while WH Smith kept its group of stores in travel locations such as airports and train stations.
There are around 450 TG Jones stores with 4,700 staff, mostly in the UK.
It previously warned that the overhaul would put jobs at risk, but didn’t disclose how many workers will be affected.
In July, Alex Willson, chief executive of TG Jones, said: “We welcome the court’s approval of our restructuring plan.
“This decision allows us to move ahead with our turnaround strategy.
“The plan protects the substantial core of the store estate and makes TG Jones a stronger, more sustainable business.
“We are incredibly grateful to all the colleagues, partners and stakeholders who engaged constructively throughout the process, and to Modella Capital for its continued financial commitment.”
Recommended reading:
Tom Smith KC, for TG Jones, said that the “working assumption” is that around 150 stores will close as a result of the plans, as landlords who do not wish to accept the reduced rate can choose to terminate the lease.
He also said the company has suffered from “long-term sales decline”, exacerbated by high inflation, increased online shopping, reduced consumer spending, with higher labour costs and taxes.
The rebranding from WH Smith has also damaged sales, he added.
Is your local TG Jones store closing its doors? Let us know in the comments.
The data, analysed by Tempcover and sourced from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), covers cars stolen between January 1 and June 30.
A total of 25,050 cars were reported stolen during this period, equating to 138 thefts per day or one every 10 minutes and 24 seconds.
This represents a decline from the 27,831 cars stolen in the first six months of 2025.
Theft patterns also appear to be shifting, with more electric and hybrid vehicles now being targeted.
Top 10 stolen car models in the UK for 2026
According to the Tempcover analysis of DVLA data, the top 10 most stolen car models are:
In total, 1,309 cars were stolen, combining the figures of the top 10.
The Nissan Juke Tekna CVT (petrol) topped the list as the UK’s most stolen vehicle variant in 2026, up from fifth place in 2025.
There were 197 thefts of this model in the first half of the year, a 19% increase from 165 in the same period last year.
This put it 37 thefts ahead of the 2025 leader, the Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT, which dropped to second place with 160 thefts.
The Nissan Juke model being in the number one spot indicates a trend where criminals are increasingly targeting popular crossovers and zero-emission vehicles over older petrol hatchbacks.
Vehicles equipped with keyless entry and push-to-start ignition are frequently targeted using a relay device
The Ford Fiesta, once a dominant target, continues to fall in the rankings following Ford’s decision to discontinue the model in 2023.
Seven Fiesta variants remain in the national top 20, but thefts of these trims fell by 35.5% year-on-year, from 1,177 to 759.
The Ford Fiesta Titanium Turbo (140 thefts) was the highest-ranked Fiesta variant, placing third, while the Fiesta Zetec slipped from second place in 2025 to fifth in 2026.
EV models also showed up in the top 10, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate EV (joint 6th overall with 115 thefts) having the most stolen.
Other EVs were in the top 20, which included the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium EV (89 thefts), the Kia Niro 2 EV (88 thefts), and the Kia Niro 4 EV (76 thefts)
How to stop your car from being stolen
Some criminals use relay attacks to unlock cars, so you can combat this by placing the keys inside a metal box or signal-blocking wallet to block the signal.
The RAC also recommends parking in a well-lit public area to reduce the chances.
It adds: “If you need to use a car park, try to find one that’s security patrolled, covered by CCTV, or that is in a secure area.”
Utilising a steering lock or brake lock can also be helpful, and it could be useful to install a tracking device in case a thief gets away with your car.
Jake Lambert, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “With pure EVs entering the top 20, security must keep pace with the tech.
“Beyond Faraday pouches and parking nose-in to block wiring access, EV owners must secure their companion app.
Recommended reading:
“If the app holds a digital key, set a PIN or biometric lock – a basic password isn’t enough.
“Lock charging cables to prevent component theft, and keep software updates active.
“But it’s still essential to get the basic habits right: don’t leave the app logged in on unlocked phones, and keep physical keys away from your front door.”
Have car thefts affected your area this year? Let us know in the comments.
The Grade II listed property on St John Street, which is up for sale, offers more than 2,900 square feet of living space spread over four floors.
It features a large family room, a kitchen/breakfast area, large bedrooms, a west-facing courtyard garden, and a separate annexe, and is being sold with “no onward chain.”
Inside, the main house boasts four bedrooms and a reconfigured interior.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire train station parking charges up by 37 per cent in a decade
The lower ground floor features a wooden-floored family room, a utility room, and a modern shower room.
On the ground floor, there is a parlour room with a feature fireplace, and a kitchen/breakfast area that opens onto a walled courtyard garden.
The first floor offers two double bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom, while the second floor features the principal bedroom, bathroom, and a dressing room.
The annexe, accessible from the courtyard, has its own sitting room, a first-floor vaulted bedroom, and a lower ground floor bathroom.
READ MORE: Victoria Beckham shows unseen photos of Ramsay wedding after Cotswolds hen do
St John Street, known for its Georgian-style Grade II listed terraced houses, is situated in the heart of Oxford and was developed around 1830.
The area is close to top-rated state and independent schools, including The Dragon School, Oxford High School for Girls, Cherwell School, St Edward’s School, d’Overbroeck’s College, St Philip & James School, Summerfields School, Christchurch College School, New College School, and Magdalen College School.
The property is also near the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford colleges, and the Oxford railway station.
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoHistoric town faces series of high street shop closures
-
Student Life4 weeks agoAcademic tourism: Oxford University and its summer schools
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoCurrys rolls out NiCE software to unify customer service
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoWilderness Festival 2026: four days of music, food, art and wild escapism