An MOT tester who issued 31 MOT certificates without testing the cars while working at Halfords Autocentre has recently received a suspended jail sentence.

Anton Fricker was prosecuted after Halfords Autocentre alerted the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency that it suspected fraud had taken place.

The offences took place at two Halfords Autocentre workshops, in Taunton and Yeovil, between August and October 2021.

Fricker, aged 27 and from Taunton, initially denied the offences but when presented with evidence by DVSA he then confessed to having received payment for the fraudulent MOTs.

After pleading guilty to 31 charges related to dishonestly making a false representation by issuing an MOT certificate without performing MOT tests, intending to make a gain for himself or another, Fricker appeared at Taunton Crown Court on August 26, 2022, for sentencing.

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

He was also banned by DVSA from MOT testing for five years.

Marian Kitson, DVSA’s director of enforcement, said after the hearing: “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 pass certificates have been contacted by the DVSA.