Road safety minister John Bowis announced the arrival of a computerised MoT scheme later this year after an extensive feasibility study following a review of the entire structure in 1994. The scheme will be funded under the Private Finance Initiative with tenders being invited from private sector companies capable of compiling a comprehensive database of all vehicles requiring certificates.

14,000 MoT test centres will also need to go on-line before the scheme can go fully operational, but it won't spell the end of paper certification, which will still be issued alongside the computerised information. The measures will help police detect cars without certificates or forged documentation much more quickly and should save millions of pounds in enforcement and administration costs.