Will my MOT fail if the garage does not take a photo?

The special notice says taking a photo is optional in this phase. A tester can continue without one by selecting a reason in the service, and can still record the result.

Will I see the photo on my MOT history?

The special notice does not say the photo is added to the public MOT history. Authorised examiners can see whether a photo was uploaded in the MOT test logs. The free history check on this site shows the test record, not a garage photograph.

Does every garage have to do this now?

No. The first phase, from 3 August 2026, covers about 2,500 garages in Great Britain. Other garages are due to get the feature later. There is no date for it becoming mandatory.

Why DVSA is introducing photographs at the MOT

DVSA published special notice 04-26 on 29 July 2026. From 3 August 2026 the MOT testing service started letting testers take and upload a photo of the vehicle at the time of the test, using a phone, tablet or other compatible device. About 2,500 garages are in this first phase. A garage that is not in it does not need to do anything yet.

Why DVSA is doing this

The notice says the photo is extra evidence that the vehicle was at the garage when it was tested. DVSA lists the aims as deterring fraudulent tests, reducing certificates issued when no vehicle is present, supporting identity checks, and improving confidence in testing. The photo does not replace any part of the inspection.

What it means for a motorist

At this stage the photo is optional. The tester can carry on without one and still record a pass or a fail. You do not download an app. The garage either uses a mobile device for the test, or starts on a computer and scans a QR code to take the picture. DVSA says the photo is uploaded to the MOT testing service and is not kept in the device’s camera roll.

The notice also says the feature may become mandatory later. It does not give that date. Two earlier trials covered 311 garages. Testers in those trials generally found the feature straightforward, with little or no effect on how long a test took. Some garages had trouble with devices, browsers or their own network, which DVSA says was outside its control.

Source: MOT special notice 04-26: national rollout of photos at test, published 29 July 2026. Checked on 7 October 2026.

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