The Garage 347

NEWS
IAAF to fight
Government plans
to extend MOT
Garage specialist
prosecuted over
forged solicitors
letters in legal first
A
sales manager was handed a suspended custodial
sentence on 16 January 2023 at Newport Crown Court
for knowingly providing false information in the form of
forged solicitors letters to secure MOT garage applications,
following a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
investigation.
Thomas Richard Woods, a sales manager, worked for
Oakmain Ltd, a company specialising in the installation and
service of garage equipment mainly for independent garages
and MOT stations.
His work included providing technical support, training
customers on new equipment and managing finance for
maintenance servicing and equipment calibration.
The company also completed the MOT Station application
(VT01) form, which is required to set up an MOT test station
on behalf of customers.
Mr Woods was convicted of three charges of providing
counterfeit solicitors letters to help secure MOT testing
station status. He was given a custodial sentence of 18 months
in respect of each of these offences to run concurrently,
suspended for 18 months because of his previous good
character and personal circumstances.
He was ordered to carry out unpaid work of 220 hours,
pay prosecution costs of £4,736.20 together with a victim
surcharge of £149. Payment to be made at the rate of £150
per month.
This was the first ever prosecution for providing fraudulent
solicitors letters used as part of MOT garage applications.
Solicitors letters are one of the supporting documents
required to open or change an MOT test station. This letter
is to show proof the business has all the rights it needs to
be operating. This is really important for garages carrying
out MOTs on behalf of government where the public should
expect legitimacy.
The judge in this case said that in forging solicitors letters
and lying about legal situations, Mr Woods had sought to
blame other people for his actions, had compromised
the MOT system deliberately undermining it and had also
undermined confidence in solicitors.
DVSA examiners first uncovered fraudulent activity after
carrying out a regular routine MOT garage audit. The offences
were carried out between November 2019 and October 2021.
DVSA’s Director of Enforcement, Marian Kitson said:
“Applications to be an MOT testing station are made in good
faith by the applicants concerned. Motorists need to feel
confident they can rely on MOT testing stations to carry out
any necessary work and garages using professional services
should expect the service to be legitimate. This case shows
the DVSA will take action against those who abuse the MOT
testing scheme for their own gain.”
The MOT test checks that vehicles meet road safety and
environmental standards.
DVSA approves centres and testers to carry out MOT tests
and monitors them to ensure they are carried out to the
required standard.
To open an MOT station, an Authorised Examiner (AE) must
apply to DVSA using a VT01 application form together with
supporting documents including a site plan, test bay drawings,
and a solicitor’s letter. The latter is proof that the applicant
either owns the land or that they have a licence to occupy, a
rental agreement or an enforceable lease with the landowner
for the premises.
The sentence given was assessed as causing harm to
Mr Wood’s employer, their clients, DVSA and two firms of
solicitors.
You can report MOT tester or centre for fraud:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-an-mot-tester
10 THE GARAGE
10 News DVSA.indd 1 24/01/2023 15:40