Your Bike's MOT: Unpacking Failure Trends

For every motorcycle owner in Great Britain, the annual MoT test is a crucial rite of passage, a mandatory check to ensure our beloved machines are roadworthy and safe. But how many bikes truly make the grade on their first attempt? Recent data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) sheds a revealing light on the state of motorcycle safety on our roads, highlighting common pitfalls that many riders unfortunately encounter.

The MoT isn't just a bureaucratic hurdle; it's a vital component of road safety, designed to identify mechanical and structural issues that could put riders and other road users at risk. With nearly a million initial motorcycle MoTs conducted in a single year, the statistics offer a compelling insight into the most prevalent defects. It's not just about compliance; it's about understanding and addressing potential dangers before they lead to serious consequences.

The Shocking Truth: Overall Motorcycle MoT Failure Rates

Between 20 May 2018 and 19 May 2019, a period covering the first full year of the updated MoT test, a staggering 951,777 initial motorcycle MoTs were carried out. While the overall pass rate for motorcycles stands commendably high at 83%, a significant proportion – 17% of all tests – resulted in an initial failure. This translates to 161,852 motorcycles that didn't meet the required standards straight away.

Perhaps more concerning is the number of bikes identified with 'dangerous' defects. A total of 48,886 motorcycles were found to have issues deemed so severe that they should not be ridden until repaired. As Neil Barlow, DVSA’s Head of Vehicle Engineering, rightly stated, “The new MoT has seen nearly 50,000 dangerous motorcycles either repaired or taken off the road.” This underscores the critical role the MoT plays in removing potentially lethal vehicles from our highways.

Spotlight on Defects: Where Bikes Fall Short

When it comes to specific reasons for failure, two categories consistently top the charts: lamps and reflectors, and brakes. These are not minor cosmetic issues but fundamental safety components that directly impact a rider's visibility and ability to stop. The data reveals a concerning trend:

Top Ten Motorcycle MoT Failures (20 May 2018 – 19 May 2019)

The fact that almost 10% of bikes (88,103) failed due to faulty lights or reflectors is particularly striking. Proper lighting is not just about being able to see; it's crucially about being seen by other road users, especially in low light conditions or adverse weather. Similarly, brake defects, accounting for over 4% of failures, are a direct threat to a rider's ability to control their machine and avoid collisions. These statistics serve as a powerful reminder for riders to perform regular checks on these critical components before their MoT appointment.

Understanding the New MoT Categories

The MoT test underwent significant changes on 20 May 2018, introducing new defect categories designed to provide clearer feedback to vehicle owners. These categories are:

• Minor Defects: These are issues that pose no significant risk to safety or the environment but should be repaired soon. They do not result in an MoT failure.
• Major Defects: These could affect the vehicle’s safety, impact the environment, or put other road users at risk. A major defect will automatically lead to an MoT failure.
• Dangerous Defects: These pose a direct and immediate risk to road safety or have a serious impact on the environment. Vehicles with dangerous defects must not be driven until they have been repaired. This category also results in an automatic MoT failure.

This tiered system helps riders understand the severity of any identified issues, empowering them to make informed decisions about repairs and when it's safe to use their vehicle. The distinction between 'Major' and 'Dangerous' is particularly important, as driving a vehicle with a dangerous defect, even unknowingly, can lead to fines and penalty points.

The DVSA's Commitment to Road Safety

The DVSA, as an executive agency of the Department for Transport, plays a pivotal role in maintaining road safety across Britain. Their responsibilities extend far beyond just setting MoT standards, encompassing driver testing, vehicle recalls, and even commercial vehicle enforcement. Their proactive approach to vehicle safety is evident in initiatives like the free MoT reminder service.

This valuable service, which sends SMS or email reminders four and two weeks before a vehicle’s MoT is due, aims to combat the concerning statistic that 28% of all vehicles turn up late for their MoT. Timely MoTs are crucial for identifying defects before they become serious hazards. Riders can also check their vehicle's MoT history and download a copy of their latest certificate via the government's website, providing full transparency on their vehicle's past performance.

MoT Performance Across Vehicle Classes

While this article focuses on motorcycles, it's insightful to see how different vehicle classes perform in the MoT:

Total Tests and Pass Rates by Vehicle Class (20 May 2018 – 19 May 2019)

As evident, motorcycles have a significantly higher pass rate compared to cars and commercial vehicles, which might suggest better overall maintenance or simpler systems, but still, the absolute numbers of failures are substantial.

Dangerous Defects: A Deeper Dive by Vehicle Class

The number of vehicles identified with 'dangerous' defects highlights the severe risks present on our roads:

While garages cannot physically prevent a rider from using a motorcycle with a 'dangerous' defect, doing so carries significant legal risks, including fines and points on the licence. The DVSA strongly advises against driving any vehicle with such a defect until it has been properly repaired.

Ensuring Quality: DVSA's Oversight of Testers

The integrity of the MoT system rests heavily on the competency and integrity of its testers. The DVSA regulates approximately 60,000 MoT testers across Great Britain, and their oversight is rigorous. Between 2018 and 2019, various disciplinary actions were taken against testers and authorised examiners:

• Authorised examiners withdrawn: 141 (134 after appeal)
• Authorised examiners warned: 444
• MoT testers disqualified: 187 (179 after appeal)
• MoT testers warned: 380

This demonstrates the DVSA's commitment to upholding high standards within the MoT scheme, ensuring that tests are conducted fairly and accurately.

Beyond the MoT: Vehicle Safety Recalls

The DVSA's commitment to safety extends to overseeing vehicle safety recalls. Since 2013, 174 motorcycle safety recalls have been issued, addressing manufacturing defects that could pose a risk to riders. While response rates have generally been high, ranging from 82.3% to 94% between 2013 and 2017, it's crucial for all owners to respond to recalls to rectify potential safety issues.

Special Cases: Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) Failures

For custom motorcycles, trikes, and some imported vehicles, the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test is required. This test ensures that vehicles not subjected to type approval meet essential safety and environmental standards. The failure rates for SVA tests can be quite different from standard MoTs, reflecting the unique nature of these vehicles:

Single Vehicle Approval Initial Test Fail Rates by Financial Year

These figures demonstrate that bespoke and modified vehicles often face greater challenges in meeting safety standards, with trikes, in particular, showing consistently higher failure rates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How often does my motorcycle need an MoT?

A: Once your motorcycle is three years old, it requires an MoT test annually to ensure it remains roadworthy.

Q: What should I check on my motorcycle before an MoT?

A: Pay particular attention to your lamps and reflectors (all lights working, clean, and correctly aligned), and your brakes (levers/pedals firm, no sponginess, adequate pad thickness, no leaks). Also check tyres for tread depth and condition, horn operation, and general structural integrity.

Q: What happens if my motorcycle fails its MoT?

A: If your motorcycle fails, you'll receive a 'Refusal of an MoT Test Certificate' document detailing the defects. You must get the defects repaired and then have a retest. If the defects are classified as 'dangerous', you should not ride the vehicle until it is repaired.

Q: Can I get fined for driving a motorcycle with a failed MoT?

A: Yes, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid MoT certificate. You could face a fine of up to £1,000. If your MoT has expired, the only legal reasons to drive your vehicle are to or from a pre-booked MoT appointment or to or from a place of repair for MoT failure work.

Q: How can I sign up for the free MoT reminder service?

A: You can sign up for the DVSA's free MoT reminder service on the official government website (www.gov.uk). You'll receive reminders via SMS or email when your MoT is due.

Conclusion

The DVSA's data provides invaluable insights into the common reasons why motorcycles fail their MoT. While the overall pass rate is encouraging, the high number of failures attributed to easily preventable issues like faulty lamps and reflectors, and worn brakes, serves as a stark reminder for all riders. Regular pre-MoT checks, alongside routine maintenance, are not just about passing a test; they are about ensuring your own safety and that of others on the road. Utilise the free MoT reminder service, stay vigilant with your bike's condition, and contribute to keeping Britain's roads safer for everyone.

If you want to read more articles similar to Your Bike's MOT: Unpacking Failure Trends, you can visit the Motorcycles category.