I took my car for an MOT in August, and a couple of days later noticed an error on the certificate. The “mileage history” panel had two entries for 2015 – the current test and another entry a month earlier with a higher figure, which makes it look as if the car has been tampered with and retested. I phoned the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and was asked to send copies of the registration form and test certificate.
I was later told that another car of the same model had been tested, but one character of its registration was entered incorrectly, which brought up my record. The vehicle has a different chassis number, which should have been checked, but the mileage of that car now shows on my MOT.
While this was happening the DVSA introduced a new computer system. The database didn’t migrate smoothly from the old system and they tell me they can’t alter errors on the new system and have no idea when it will be fixed. I was also told that some drivers now had illegal certificates even though their cars passed the MOT. HW, High Wycombe, Bucks
August was an unfortunate month to have an MOT, especially a botched job like you suffered. A glitch with the DVSA’s new computer system meant hundreds of garages were unable to access its online database and were told to return to using paper documents – a stop-gap that left motorists vulnerable to being apprehended for driving illegally since police patrol apps do not recognise paper certificates. That could be why you were told your record could not be amended, but we can’t know for sure as the DVSA declines to comment. Three weeks after I contacted the agency, it merely announces your records have been amended; but it wasn’t until this month, four weeks later, that you received the corrected certificate.
If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.
