Motorcycle MOT

Posted by Dave Harris on Sunday, November 10, 2019 Under: Guest Motorcycle Articles

An MOT test is given to every vehicle in Britain that’s more than three years old, to make sure they’re fit for use on our roads. You’ll need to take your vehicle to an approved MOT centre, which will test the major functions of your bike and award you an MOT certificate if it passes.

Does my motorcycle need an MOT?

As with every car and light goods vehicle in the country, any motorcycle over three years old must have a valid MOT certificate. Driving on UK roads without a valid certificate is illegal unless you’re headed to a scheduled MOT inspection, and you could get a fine of up to £1,000 if you’re caught.

Without a valid MOT:

Your insurance might not be valid, or it may only extend to third-party cover
You won’t be able to tax your motorbike
You won’t be able to legally park it on the road

How does an MOT test work?

When you take your motorcycle to an MOT testing centre, they’ll examine it for any defects or issues to make sure it’s safe for UK roads. Each part of the test is graded in the following manner:

Dangerous: The motorcycle carries either a direct risk to drivers or damages the environment – meaning it isn’t road legal

Major: Could affect other drivers or the environment and must be repaired immediately

Minor: An issue that isn’t a significant risk, but which still needs to be repaired as soon as possible

Advisory: If an issue could develop in the future – it’ll need to be monitored and acted upon when required

Pass: If your motorcycle reaches the minimum legally required standard of road safety

The five grades of MOT testing and what they mean

What is tested on a motorcycle MOT?

During an MOT test for your motorcycle, the approved MOT centre will examine the following:

Lights

Almost two in five defects found during motorbike MOTs are related to lamps and reflectors – including almost half of all ‘major’ defects.* Your MOT tester will check your lights are:

Working properly
In good condition
Securely fitted
The correct colour
They’ll look at your rear lights, indicators and reflectors, and will ensure your headlamps are aimed correctly.

Steering and suspension

Issues with motorcycle suspension account for almost one in ten of all defects, while steering problems make up just under 6%.* In the MOT test they’ll evaluate the condition of your motorbike’s steering and suspension, as well as checking:

Forks
Handlebars
Grips mountings
Head bearings
Swinging arm
Shock absorbers
Damping effect

Wheels and tyres

Over 37% of all tyre-related defects are classed as ‘dangerous’ – the highest level of defect possible on an MOT test – and tyre defects in general make up almost a tenth of all defects found. Issues with wheels are rarer, at only 1% of all defects.*

Your MOT centre will look at the condition of your tyres and wheels, including:

Security of fitting
Size and type, to ensure they’re compatible with your bike and suitable for the road
Tread depth, which must be above 1mm for motorbikes over 50cc
The condition of the valves
Wheel bearings, to make sure they aren’t worn down

Frame

Your motorcycle’s frame will be inspected to ensure it isn’t damaged, distorted or corroded in a way that could affect your ability to steer or brake when driving.

Braking

Just under one in five motorcycle MOT defects involve issues with brakes, and almost 30% of all these defects are classed as ‘dangerous’.* During the MOT the tester will look at the condition of your motorcycle brakes, ensuring their operation and performance are in order and the brake controls are functioning correctly. This includes looking at:

Brake hoses
Disc brakes
Brake pads and shoes
ABS warning lights, if applicable

Exhaust system

Your motorcycle’s exhaust system will be checked to make sure it’s securely fitted and not missing any parts, as well as not too noisy.

Fuel system

Your fuel system’s components and their security will be checked, while testers will also look for any leaks within the system.

Seats

The MOT centre will confirm that your seat(s) are attached securely.

Wheel alignment

They will also check that your front and rear wheels are aligned correctly.

Sidecars (if fitted)

If you have a sidecar attached to your motorcycle, it’ll be examined to make sure:

It’s attached safely and securely
It’s aligned properly
The suspension is working
The wheel bearings and alignment are correct
The lights are functioning
The tyres are in good condition

Horn

The horn is checked to see if it’s both working correctly and properly suited to your motorcycle –horn-related issues make up less than 3% of all motorcycle MOT defects.*

Registration plates, vehicle identification and frame numbers

Vehicle identification issues account for less than 4% of all problems – they’re checked to make sure they’re valid and legible.

Drive chain and sprocket

The MOT centre will inspect your drive chain and sprocket to see if: