09/02/2018
For any motorcycle owner in the UK, the annual MOT test is a crucial part of vehicle ownership. It's more than just a bureaucratic hurdle; it’s a vital check designed to ensure your bike is safe to ride on public roads and meets environmental standards. Understanding what the MOT involves, why it’s necessary, and how to prepare for it can save you time, money, and most importantly, keep you safe.
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a mandatory annual inspection for most vehicles over three years old in Great Britain. For motorcycles, this test focuses on key components to ensure they are in good working order and meet the minimum legal requirements for road use. It's not a service and doesn't cover the mechanical condition of the engine, clutch, or gearbox, but rather the vehicle's roadworthiness and overall safety. Riding a motorcycle without a valid MOT certificate is illegal, can invalidate your insurance, and carries significant penalties, including fines and penalty points.
- Why is the Motorcycle MOT So Important?
- What Does a Motorcycle MOT Test Cover?
- How Often is an MOT Needed?
- What Happens if My Bike Fails the MOT?
- Advisories vs. Dangerous/Major Faults
- Preparing for Your Motorcycle MOT: Top Tips
- Choosing an MOT Centre
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Motorcycle MOT
- Conclusion
Why is the Motorcycle MOT So Important?
Beyond the legal obligation, the MOT test serves several critical purposes:
- Ensuring Safety: The primary goal of the MOT is to ensure your motorcycle is safe for you and other road users. It checks critical safety components like brakes, tyres, lights, and steering, which are fundamental to preventing accidents.
- Legal Compliance: It is a legal requirement in the UK to have a valid MOT certificate for any motorcycle over three years old that is used on public roads. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £1,000 and invalidate your insurance policy, leaving you unprotected in the event of an accident.
- Environmental Responsibility: The test also includes checks on exhaust emissions, helping to ensure that motorcycles meet environmental standards and contribute less to air pollution.
- Peace of Mind: Passing an MOT gives you confidence that your motorcycle has been inspected by a qualified professional and meets the required safety standards, offering you peace of mind during your rides.
What Does a Motorcycle MOT Test Cover?
A trained MOT tester will conduct a thorough inspection of various parts of your motorcycle. Here's a breakdown of the main areas covered:
Lights
- Headlights: Checked for correct operation (high/low beam), aim, and condition.
- Brake Lights: Both front and rear brake lights must illuminate when their respective levers/pedals are applied.
- Indicators: All indicators must flash at the correct rate and be securely fitted.
- Rear Reflector: A rear reflector must be present, securely fitted, and not obscured.
- Number Plate Light: The light illuminating the rear number plate must work.
Steering and Suspension
- Steering: Checked for smooth operation, excessive play in the bearings, and any signs of damage or wear to the handlebars or steering components.
- Forks: Inspected for leaks, damage, and correct damping.
- Shock Absorbers: Checked for leaks, damage, and effective damping.
- Swing Arm: Checked for excessive play in the bearings.
Brakes
- Brake Levers/Pedals: Must operate freely and return to their resting position.
- Brake Pads/Discs: Inspected for wear, damage, and contamination.
- Brake Hoses/Cables: Checked for leaks, damage, fraying, or corrosion.
- Brake Fluid: Level and condition checked where visible.
Tyres and Wheels
- Tyre Condition: Inspected for cuts, bulges, cracks, or any signs of deterioration.
- Tread Depth: Must meet the minimum legal tread depth (1mm for motorcycles over 50cc).
- Wheel Bearings: Checked for excessive play.
- Wheel Rims: Inspected for cracks, buckles, or damage.
Exhaust System
- Security: Must be securely fitted.
- Condition: Checked for leaks or excessive corrosion.
- Noise Levels: Assessed to ensure they are not excessively loud or altered from their original design in a way that would make them illegal.
- Emissions: Visual check for excessive smoke.
Frame
- The motorcycle frame is inspected for any cracks, damage, or signs of improper repair that could compromise its structural integrity.
Seat, Footrests, and Handlebars
- Seat: Must be securely fitted.
- Footrests: Must be present and securely fitted.
- Handlebars: Checked for security, no excessive movement, and that they are not bent or damaged.
Other Items
- Horn: Must be present and produce a continuous, audible sound.
- Registration Plates: Must be securely fitted, clean, legible, and comply with legal requirements (font, spacing, size).
- Drive Chain/Shaft: Chain tension and condition are checked, as well as the condition of the sprockets.
How Often is an MOT Needed?
A motorcycle requires its first MOT test when it reaches three years old. After that, it must be re-tested annually to remain legal for use on public roads. You can get an MOT up to one month (minus a day) before your current MOT expires and keep the same expiry date. For example, if your MOT expires on 15th July, you can get it tested on or after 16th June and your new MOT will still expire on 15th July the following year.
What Happens if My Bike Fails the MOT?
If your motorcycle fails the MOT test, it means it doesn't meet the required safety or environmental standards. The tester will issue a 'Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate' form, detailing the reasons for the fail. It is illegal to ride a motorcycle on the road if it has failed its MOT and the previous MOT has expired, unless you are driving it to a pre-booked appointment for repairs or to another MOT test centre. You must get the identified defects repaired and then have your motorcycle re-tested. Some minor re-tests can be free if completed within a certain timeframe (usually 10 working days) at the same test centre.
Advisories vs. Dangerous/Major Faults
When your motorcycle undergoes an MOT, any issues found will be categorised:
- Minor: Issues that are not serious enough to fail the test but should be addressed soon.
- Major: Serious issues that require immediate attention and will result in a test failure.
- Dangerous: Issues that pose a direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment and will result in a test failure. You cannot ride a vehicle with a dangerous fault until it has been repaired and passed a re-test.
An 'advisory' notice might also be issued for items that are not yet a defect but are showing signs of wear and will likely need attention in the future. These do not constitute a fail but are important warnings to the owner.
Preparing for Your Motorcycle MOT: Top Tips
While the MOT is a thorough inspection, many common reasons for failure can be easily checked and rectified at home before you even take your bike to the test centre. A little preparation can save you time and money.
- Check Your Lights: Turn on your ignition and check all lights – headlights (high and low beam), brake lights (both front and rear), indicators (front and back), and the rear number plate light. Ensure they are all working, clean, and securely fitted. If a bulb is out, replace it.
- Tyre Condition and Pressure: Inspect both tyres for adequate tread depth (use a 20p coin to check – if the outer band of the coin is visible, your tread is too shallow) and any signs of damage like cracks, bulges, or embedded objects. Also, ensure your tyre pressures are correct as per your owner's manual.
- Brakes: Check the feel of both brake levers/pedals – they should feel firm, not spongy. Look for any fluid leaks around the calipers or hoses. Visually inspect your brake pads for wear and your discs for scoring or excessive wear.
- Steering and Suspension: With the front wheel off the ground, check for smooth movement and no excessive play in the steering head bearings. Look for oil leaks on the fork seals and check the damping action.
- Chain/Shaft Drive: For chain-driven bikes, check the chain tension – it shouldn't be too tight or too loose – and ensure it's well lubricated. Inspect the sprockets for excessive wear.
- Horn: Give your horn a quick blast to ensure it works and is loud enough.
- Number Plate: Make sure your number plate is clean, legible, securely fitted, and complies with legal UK sizing and font regulations.
- Fluid Levels: While not directly part of the MOT, ensuring your oil and coolant levels are correct is good practice and helps the bike run optimally during the test.
- General Cleanliness: A clean bike won't pass if it's unsafe, but it does make the tester's job easier and shows you care for your machine.
Common MOT Failures and Simple Pre-Checks
| MOT Check Area | Common Failure Points | Simple Pre-Check Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Lights | Blown bulbs, incorrect aim, dirty lenses, non-functional brake lights (front/rear) | Test all lights (head, brake, indicators, number plate), clean lenses, ensure correct aiming (if adjustable). |
| Tyres | Insufficient tread depth, cracks, bulges, incorrect tyre size/type for bike | Check tread depth (1mm minimum), inspect sidewalls for damage, ensure correct tyre type for your bike. |
| Brakes | Worn pads/discs, spongy lever/pedal, fluid leaks, seized calipers | Check pad wear, disc condition, fluid level (if visible), lever/pedal feel (firmness), look for leaks. |
| Steering | Excessive play in head bearings, bent handlebars, stiff steering | Lift front wheel, check for free, smooth steering movement and no play in bearings. Inspect handlebars. |
| Exhaust | Excessive noise, leaks, insecure fitting, missing baffles | Listen for loud exhaust, check for leaks/holes, ensure it's securely fitted and baffles are present. |
| Horn | Non-functional, too quiet, intermittent operation | Press the horn button; ensure it produces a continuous, audible sound. |
| Number Plate | Unreadable, incorrect font/spacing, insecure, obscured | Clean plate, ensure all characters are clear, check security, verify size/font compliance. |
Choosing an MOT Centre
Always ensure you take your motorcycle to a VOSA-approved MOT test centre. These centres display the blue sign with three white triangles. Choosing a reputable centre with experienced motorcycle testers is advisable, as their expertise can ensure a fair and accurate assessment of your bike.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Motorcycle MOT
Can I ride my bike without an MOT?
Generally, no. It is illegal to ride a motorcycle on public roads without a valid MOT certificate if it is over three years old. The only exceptions are if you are riding it directly to a pre-booked MOT test, or to a pre-booked appointment for repairs for a failed MOT.
What documents do I need for an MOT?
You typically don't need to bring any documents to the MOT test itself, as the test centres can access your vehicle's details electronically. However, it's always a good idea to have your V5C registration document (logbook) and previous MOT certificate handy, just in case.
How much does a motorcycle MOT cost?
The maximum fee for a motorcycle MOT is set by DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). As of the last update, this is £29.65. Individual test centres may charge less than this maximum fee.
How long does a motorcycle MOT take?
A motorcycle MOT test typically takes between 45 minutes to an hour, but this can vary depending on the test centre and any issues found during the inspection.
Can I get an MOT early?
Yes, you can get an MOT up to one month (minus a day) before your current MOT certificate expires and keep the same expiry date. This allows you to get your bike tested without losing any time on your current certificate.
What if I buy a bike without an MOT?
If you buy a motorcycle without a valid MOT certificate, you cannot legally ride it on public roads until it has passed an MOT. You would need to arrange for it to be transported to a test centre or ride it directly to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
Conclusion
The motorcycle MOT is an essential part of keeping your bike safe and legal on UK roads. By understanding what the test involves and performing simple pre-checks, you can significantly increase your chances of a smooth pass, ensuring your two-wheeled companion is always ready for your next adventure. Prioritising your bike's maintenance and regular checks is not just about passing a test; it's about your safety and the enjoyment of riding.
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