If your vehicle is used on the road, no matter how infrequently, it is your duty to ensure that it is safe and remains compliant with the UK laws and regulations set. Whilst we all know that vehicles such as cars and vans require MOT’s and servicing, there may be confusion about motorbikes and whether this is a required assessment. To put it simply – yes, motorbikes will require an MOT review, but let’s take a walk through the process.

When do motorbikes require an MOT?

Motorbikes, alike with other motor vehicles, will require an annual MOT once it reaches three years old. This doesn’t mean three years from the date you purchased the bike, but three years from its manufacture.

Riding without a valid MOT can invalidate your insurance, resulting in a hefty fine of around £1,000. With a valid MOT certificate, your motorbike is legally deemed roadworthy from the date of your assessment, but if any issues arise before your next annual review, it is important that you visit a mechanic to have them assessed and repaired.

What will be assessed during the MOT?

During your bikes MOT assessment, each aspect of the vehicle will be assessed and (if required) repaired or replaced, allowing you to ride off of the forecourt on a safe, roadworthy vehicle.

Your seat will be assessed, ensuring that it is stable and secure.
Your front and rear numberplates will also be examined. These will need to be securely fastened to the bike, as well as clean and visible.
Your horn will need to be sounding correctly, allowing you to alert other road users effectively in an event of risk of danger.
Your driving controls, including your clutch lever, throttle, brake and steering, will be tested, checking for signs of natural wear and tear, damage or faults.
The tread, fitting and pressure of your tyres will be examined and adjusted if needed, as well as the alignment of both your front and rear wheels.
The overall condition of your motorbikes drive chain will be reviewed, as well as its sprockets and exhaust system for any faults, such as loosened fastening or increasing noise.
The lights across your bike, from brake and headlights to indicators and rear lights, will each need to work correctly, providing you with the safety of being seen, and being able to see whilst on the road in darker hours or harsh weather conditions.
The frame of your motorbike will be examined, looking for any signs of damage, corrosion or mould.
If your bike has a sidecar attached, there will be further examinations that take place throughout this part of the vehicle, such as its wheel alignment and tyres, seating, lighting and suspension.

The motorbike MOT result system

Post assessment, your mechanic will declare whether your vehicle has passed its MOT. Throughout the examination, your bike will have been assessed on a five-grade system and summarised at the end to be pronounced a safe or unsafe vehicle with one of the following statuses:

A pass:

Pass – nothing needs to be altered or monitored at this moment in time

Advisory – an issue may arise in the near future and should be continuously monitored and acted upon when needed

Minor – a developing issue exists, but isn’t at currently at the stage where a repair or replacement would be required

A failure:

Major – an issue exists with your vehicle that could negatively affect other road users, yourself or the environment and needs an immediate repair or replacement

Dangerous – there is a fault or risk with the vehicle which declares it illegal for the road

Here at RKH Service & Repair, our team are on hand to provide you with advice, as well as carry out an MOT assessment on your motorbike, as well as four-wheeled vehicles. For any enquiries, get in touch with our family-run team today. Call us on 01233 877797 or email us at admin@rkhserviceandrepair.co.uk and we will be happy to help.