Possibly you simply bought your first moped, or maybe you’ve been driving for years – both means, at some stage your bike goes to wish an MOT. This weblog solutions all of your questions in regards to the bike MOT with recommendation on how to make sure your machine passes.

Which bikes want an MOT?

No matter you journey – bike, moped or scooter – whether it is between three and 40 years outdated, it have to be introduced for an annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) check. The aim of the MOT is to make sure that a motorcycle is secure and roadworthy – and it’s the proprietor’s duty to get any severe defects fastened.

A legitimate MOT certificates is a prerequisite for car excise responsibility (i.e. VED or highway tax) and for bike insurance coverage.

Does a traditional bike want an MOT check?

Motorbikes don’t want an MOT certificates in the event that they’re greater than 40 years outdated and no substantial adjustments have been made within the final 30 years. House owners should decide to current their traditional motorbikes for an MOT, however it isn’t a authorized requirement.

Learn our weblog to seek out out about a few of the best traditional motorbikes of all time. 

Does a 50cc moped want an MOT?

A moped, outlined as a 50cc bike that may go no quicker than 50 miles (50km) per hour, wants an MOT, however components of the check won’t apply to a moped. Learn our weblog about 10 of the very best 50cc motorbikes that cash should buy.

How a lot does a motorcycle MOT price?

• Bike beneath 200cc (Class 1) with out sidecar: £29.65
• Bike 200cc and over (Class 2) with out sidecar: £29.65
• Bike beneath 200cc (Class 1) with sidecar: £37.80
• Bike 200cc and over (Class 2) with sidecar: £37.80

Are lights checked on a motorcycle MOT?

The headlamp, sidelights, rear gentle, rear-registration-plate gentle, indicators and reflectors are checked throughout an MOT to make sure they work and that they’re safe and undamaged. Brightness, place and path of beam are examined, in addition to the flash frequency of indicator lights, which must be 60 to 120 instances per minute.

Do I would like indicators for a bike MOT?

Not all bikes want indicators. Course indicators should not required on motorbikes that:

• should not have entrance and rear place lamps
• have high speeds of 30mph
• had been first used earlier than 1st August 1986
• are off-road bikes designed to hold solely the rider or the rider and one passenger in a sidecar

What else is examined throughout a motorcycle MOT?

In addition to the lights and indicators, there are 15 different parts  examined in a bike MOT. They’re:

1. Steering and suspension

Checks are made on the steering and suspension system, and on the situation and safety of all components. These embody:

• fork and fork yoke
• handlebars and grips
• springs and shock absorbers
• suspension pins, bushes, joints, arms and rods

2. Wheels and tyres

The MOT tester will examine that your bike’s wheels and tyres are proper for the bike and that they’re fitted accurately and securely. They’ll examine:

• nuts, bolts, studs, spindles and hubs
• tread depth of the tyres
• situation of valves
• indicators of corrosion, distortion or injury

3. Body

The load-bearing body consists of the sidecar body – if there’s a sidecar – and attachment brackets. On bikes the place the engine is used as a careworn a part of the construction, the engine mountings are checked. The tester will probably be wanting on the structural integrity of the body and checking for indicators of harm, corrosion or cracks.

4. Braking

Each element of the bike’s braking system is checked. This consists of:

• cables, rods, levers and linkages
• discs and drums
• linings and pads
• versatile brake hoses
• inflexible brake pipes
• lever and pedal
• callipers and cylinders
• brake fluid

The operation and efficiency of the braking system is then put to the check.

5. Exhaust system

The MOT tester will examine that the bike’s exhaust system is full, safe and inside permitted noise ranges.

6. Gasoline system

The gasoline system and its parts are checked for leaks and safety. The gasoline pipe (or hose) is examined for injury or chafing. The MOT will examine for the filler cap, making certain it’s there and tThe gasoline system and its parts are checked for leaks and safety. The gasoline pipe (or hose) is examined for injury or chafing. The MOT will examine for the filler cap, making certain it’s there and that it’s not leaking.hat it’s not leaking.

7. Seats

There have to be a correct, safe rider’s seat in your bike, with an ample supporting construction. If there’s a pillion seat, this will even be checked.

8. Wheel alignment

Wheel alignment is a vital a part of bike security. The bike will probably be examined to examine that the back and front wheels are aligned accordingly.

9. Sidecar (the place relevant)

The MOT tester will examine the situation of the sidecar’s body and its attachment and alignment to the bike. There will even be checks on suspension, wheel bearings, lights, tyres and wheel alignment.

10. Horn

The bike’s audible warning have to be loud sufficient for different highway customers to listen to. It should work correctly and be compliant with necessities.

11. Automobile identification

The bike’s registration plates have to be clear, securely hooked up and introduced in an appropriate format. The car identification and body numbers will even be checked for legibility and legitimacy.

A registration plate is required on the rear of the moped solely.

12. Drive chain and sprocket

The chain is checked to ensure it isn’t too tight or too unfastened, and that it isn’t worn. The MOT tester will examine that the chain guard is securely fastened and that the sprockets aren’t excessively worn.

A moped’s chain guard isn’t examined, however the absence of a series guard is likely to be thought of harmful and result in a failed MOT.

13. Throttle

The throttle is inspected to make sure that it’s functioning correctly.

14. Clutch lever

The clutch lever have to be practical and simply operated – that’s, not bent or badly positioned.

The MOT tester will examine the presence and situation of footrests.

What isn’t checked in a bike MOT?

There are a couple of notable exceptions within the check programme. The MOT doesn’t embody an evaluation of the engine, the clutch or the gearbox. A full bike service, although, will cowl each facet of your bike and its operation.

How have you learnt in case your bike has handed or failed its MOT?

At every stage of the MOT check, your bike is assessed on a five-grade scale.

The primary three grades imply a cross. They’re: 

• PASS: minimal legally required commonplace of highway security.
• ADVISORY: a difficulty might develop sooner or later, and it’ll must be monitored and acted on when required.
• MINOR: a difficulty that isn’t a big threat, however which must be repaired as quickly as doable.

The subsequent two grades imply your bike has failed. They’re:

• MAJOR: a difficulty that would have an effect on different drivers or the setting and have to be repaired instantly.
• DANGEROUS: the bike carries both a direct threat to drivers or the setting, which means that it isn’t highway authorized.

Are there any widespread causes for bike MOT failures?

An enormous proportion of bike MOT failures must do with lights. The defect is likely to be a blown bulb, a damaged (or lacking) rear reflector, a badly angled headlamp or an indicator gentle that’s flashing on the incorrect frequency.

Quantity plates, too, are sometimes the perpetrator in a failed MOT check. They’ll fall proper off, or the inscription will be illegible by way of injury. Generally, a badly positioned screw may give a misunderstanding making a quantity or a letter look totally different to what it actualy is.

On the entrance line on the subject of put on and tear, tyres are a standard reason for MOT failures.

So, earlier than the MOT, give your bike a once-over, checking that lights, brakes and horn are working correctly, that your tyres are in good situation, and that the drive chain isn’t worn. Test the body for any injury, and ensure the gasoline system has no leaks.

Getting any defects fastened earlier than the check will prevent cash in the long term.

Cowl for all eventualities

Alongside along with your MOT, one other piece of admin to kind out is bike insurance coverage. For a swift and reasonably priced insurance coverage quote, name the consultants at Bikesure on 0800 369 8580 or e-book a callback at a time that fits you.