Always check the MoT Certificate

[BartyB]

I had the car MoT tested yesterday and as I was putting the paperwork away last night noticed that the tester had entered the mileage spectacularly incorrectly. I then checked on the DVSA database which confirmed the incorrect mileage had indeed been recorded on their system. As these records are used by prospective buyers, HPI and insurance companies for checking annual mileages, it was of some concern that a staggering 530,000 miles had been added to the total mileage for the car in the last twelve months.

I've now checked with the dealership who acknowledged the error and advised that they would correct the database and issue a new MoT Certificate. My thought was that whilst this is fairly obvious that an additional digit had been entered into the system, it may have been less obvious if a couple of digits had been transposed.

On doing a bit of checking, it appears that if a tester enters the mileage (or body colour) incorrectly they can issue a replacement certificate provided it's within seven days of the test. If not, then it can only be corrected by applying for a new certificate through VOSA, in which case the original incorrectly recorded mileage will still be shown on the re-issued Certificate, alongside the correct amended mileage, which may cause issues at some point in the future. The lesson here is to always check that the mileage recorded on a new MoT Certificate is correct before you leave the Test Centre.

Just out of interest has anyone else had this problem?

 

[tscaptain]

So you only did 53000 miles last year then, Alan?[] I do always look through the certificate when I pick them up but never seen any errors to date.

 

[alastairp]

No - he did 530,000 miles.
Check your post as well as your certificate. []

 

[tscaptain]

Well, I'm confused. The test centre recorded 530000. Alan's post says an additional digit was added, so was it 53000, 30000 or 50000 that he actually did? I suspect none of these and in reality 2 digits were added.[]
I think my reading of the post is as good as the check of my certificate.....[]

 

[BartyB]

As I said "a staggering 530,000 miles had been added to the total mileage for the car in the last twelve months." This was achieved by the tester repeating a single digit (in my case a 7) thus:

Incorrect mileage entered into VOSA system: .............................. 587,783
Actual mileage at time of test: ................................................... 58,783
Total discrepancy: .................................................................... 529,000
=========================================
Mileage actually driven since the last MoT (Dec 2015): ..................... 2,794
=========================================
Mileage apparently driven in 12 months (12/2015 - 12/12016): ..... 531,794
(rounded to the nearest 10,000 miles: ........................................ 530,000)

I've now received a replacement MoT certificate showing the correct mileage and I've also checked the online VOSA system which confirms this. Had I not done this I'd have effectively 'clocked' my own car since the next (2017) MoT test would show the mileage as being considerably reduced. Whilst 530,000 miles is an obvious mistake and could be reasonably explained to a prospective buyer or an insurance company, if the 8 and the 5 had been transposed then it may have been less obvious and probably far more difficult to explain away in the future.

As well as being an endorsement of a vehicle’s roadworthiness, the MoT certificate is now an official record of mileage validity so it's important this is documented correctly. The problem is that the Government only allows us 7 days for any errors to be corrected .