The Motor Ombudsman Limited

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First report 14 May 2024•Latest report 14 May 2024

Reports, concerns and published responses

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Reports
1

Naming this recipient

Published responses
0%

Found for named reports

Concerns addressed
0

Across all linked responses

Stated actions
0

Described in responses

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from The Motor Ombudsman Limited linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Surrey

    AI-generated summary

    Charlie Hopkins and William Robinson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Charlie Hopkins, aged 18, died at the scene of a road traffic collision on 26 September 2021, while William Robinson, aged 17, died in hospital on 4 December 2021 from injuries sustained in the same collision. The court found that excessive speed and alcohol contributed to the collision. Concerns were raised about risks involving young, new drivers and passengers, and about airbag faults not being identified during MOTs and vehicle servicing because of gaps in testing and diagnostic practices.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Motor Ombudsman Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of MOT checks that airbag warning lights are functioning

    Wider context from the report

    “It is deeply concerning that such a significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not identified during the course of any of the annual MOTs it underwent from 14 March 2014 onwards. The court heard that the MOT manual itself does not require MOT testers to: (i) Check whether airbag warning lights are actually working. The court heard that it is quick and simple to check that a car’s airbag warning light is working. It is done by checking that the light illuminates briefly when the engine is switched on. Further the court heard that the MOT manual requires MOT testers to check that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light is working in this manner. (ii) Carry out a diagnostic check of the car’s electrical systems to check whether there are any faults with the airbag module. The court heard that MOT testers rely on the illuminated warning light to assess whether there are any faults with the car’s airbag module. However, this will not identify a fault if the airbag warning light has been concealed. The court heard that there are universal diagnostic tools which can diagnose electrical faults, including airbag module faults, on any type of car, regardless of the manufacturer. The Coroner considers that there is a gap in the MOT manual which presents a risk of future deaths and you are invited to consider whether any amendments ought to be introduced to the MOT Manual to mitigate against that risk. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Motor Ombudsman Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Risk of road traffic collisions involving young, new drivers

    Wider context from the report

    “As set out above, the court found that it was possible that the fact that Charlie Hopkins had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision. During the course of the inquest, the court’s attention was drawn to statistics which suggest that road traffic collisions involving young, new drivers, are a leading cause of death for young people. As such, you are invited to consider whether any additional measures ought to be introduced to mitigate the ongoing risk in respect of young, new drivers, including by way of the introduction of restrictions on when they can drive and who they can carry as passengers. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Motor Ombudsman Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of MOT diagnostic checks for airbag module faults

    Wider context from the report

    “It is deeply concerning that such a significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not identified during the course of any of the annual MOTs it underwent from 14 March 2014 onwards. The court heard that the MOT manual itself does not require MOT testers to: (i) Check whether airbag warning lights are actually working. The court heard that it is quick and simple to check that a car’s airbag warning light is working. It is done by checking that the light illuminates briefly when the engine is switched on. Further the court heard that the MOT manual requires MOT testers to check that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light is working in this manner. (ii) Carry out a diagnostic check of the car’s electrical systems to check whether there are any faults with the airbag module. The court heard that MOT testers rely on the illuminated warning light to assess whether there are any faults with the car’s airbag module. However, this will not identify a fault if the airbag warning light has been concealed. The court heard that there are universal diagnostic tools which can diagnose electrical faults, including airbag module faults, on any type of car, regardless of the manufacturer. The Coroner considers that there is a gap in the MOT manual which presents a risk of future deaths and you are invited to consider whether any amendments ought to be introduced to the MOT Manual to mitigate against that risk. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Motor Ombudsman Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure of car services to conduct diagnostic checks of electronic safety systems

    Wider context from the report

    “It is concerning that such a significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not picked up during many of the regular services that the car underwent during the same time period. The court heard evidence that it is not standard practice for car services to include a check of whether the airbag warning light is functioning. Further, the court heard that it is not standard practice to carry out a diagnostic check of a car’s electronic safety systems unless a car is being taken to a garage that is associated with the particular car’s manufacturer, despite the availability of universal diagnostic tools. Given the limitations of the MOT test, as set out above, the Coroner considers that this presents a risk of future deaths and you are invited to consider whether additional standards and/or guidance on these matters ought to be introduced for garages/mechanics involved in the conduct of car services. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Motor Ombudsman Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure of car services to check airbag warning light functioning

    Wider context from the report

    “It is concerning that such a significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not picked up during many of the regular services that the car underwent during the same time period. The court heard evidence that it is not standard practice for car services to include a check of whether the airbag warning light is functioning. Further, the court heard that it is not standard practice to carry out a diagnostic check of a car’s electronic safety systems unless a car is being taken to a garage that is associated with the particular car’s manufacturer, despite the availability of universal diagnostic tools. Given the limitations of the MOT test, as set out above, the Coroner considers that this presents a risk of future deaths and you are invited to consider whether additional standards and/or guidance on these matters ought to be introduced for garages/mechanics involved in the conduct of car services. ”
    Open source report
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026