Pass your motorbike MOT the first time
See a full bike MOT checklist and costs
You can also check status via DVLA, using any registration number
- If the motorcycle has passed or failed any mot check
- Mileages at the time of every test
- Dates of tests
- Distance travelled between tests
- Any failed parts including those with minor mechanic problems
- Advisory items where the motorcycle passed its MOT check but had components that were worn and near being repaired/replaced (usually before the time of next test)
What is the bike registration number?
CarVeto provides MOT history for motorcycles registered in England, Wales and Scotland post 2005
Related to
Buying or maintenance
1. Check bike history
Vehicle must be 3 years old or more
(Enter bike reg number in the field above)
2. Is it insured?
Insurance Database bike check askMID
See our article on MID search
3. Questions, answered.
4. For cars and light commercials
Helpful guide on a DVLA car MOT check
All guides and most of our car checks are free to UK motorist.
Just like most vehicles, motorbikes need to have a valid mot certificate at three years after date of manufacture.
CarVeto provides a comprehensive motorbike check and can give full bike MOT history.
The MOT faults classifications have been redefined in the last year so it’s mportant to know what they mean.
When a motorbike gets tested it will classify as either:
- Dangerous
- Major
- Minor
- Advisory
- Pass with no faults
For more information visit our article on MOT Checklists.
What’s tested during a motorbike MOT?
There are 16 areas tested.
Between 2018 and 2019, 16.9% of motorbikes failed their MOT the first time. Ministry of Transport, DVLA and .Gov are looking to reduce this number.
It’s important to be familiar with each area to avoid lightweight, unnecessary failures.
Lights
Headlights, rear lights, indicators and the reflectors. The MOT technician will be checking these parts work correctly, are the right colour and securely fitted. Headlight aims are also checked.
Below are all of the dangerous defects for steering and suspension listed on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| Stop lamp(s): – all missing or inoperative |
Dangerous |
| A stop lamp(s): – remain on when the brakes are released |
Dangerous |
There are 33 major defects for this category: See .Gov Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.
Steering and suspension
Condition of the forks, handlebars, head bearings, shock absorbers, damping affect, swing arms and grip mountings, whether they work properly and are securely fitted.
Below are all of the dangerous defects for steering and suspension listed on the gov.uk inspection manual.
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A steering linkage component with: – excessive movement between components or likely to become |
Dangerous |
| A steering ball joint: – worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment |
Dangerous |
| A steering linkage component: – fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected |
Dangerous |
| Steering linkage: – modified to the extent that steering is affected |
Dangerous |
| A steering damper which is: – in such a condition that the steering action is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| Handlebar mounting: – so insecure that steering is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| Handlebar: – so insecure it is likely to become detached |
Dangerous |
| Handlebar: – fractured, deformed or corroded to the extent that steering is adversely affected or detachment likely |
Dangerous |
| Handlebar grip: – insecure to handlebar |
Dangerous |
| Forks or fork yoke: – in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| Steering head bearings: – in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A spring: – so insecure that control of the motorbike is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A spring: – main leaf fractured |
Dangerous |
| A spring: – missing and control of the motorbike is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A shock absorber: – missing or likely to become detached |
Dangerous |
| A suspension component: – missing, likely to become detached or control of the motorbike impaired |
Dangerous |
| A suspension component: – fractured or likely to fail |
Dangerous |
| A suspension component: – modified so that the suspension is inoperative or likely to foul other components |
Dangerous |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint: – likely to become detached |
Dangerous |
There are 31 major defects for steering and suspension: See .Gov Steering and Wheels, tyres and suspension.
Wheels and tyres
Wheel and tyres and whether they are fitted correctly including type, size, tread depth and value condition.
Listed below are all of the dangerous defects for wheels and tyres on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A wheel bearing: – play so excessive it is likely to break up or directional control impaired |
Dangerous |
| A wheel bearing: – so rough it is likely to overheat or break up |
Dangerous |
| A wheel: – with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud in the case of a single fixing, or more than one loose or missing in the case of multiple fixings |
Dangerous |
| A wheel hub: – worn or damaged to the extent that wheel security is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A wheel spindle: – a wheel spindle or its securing nut(s) so insecure that wheel security or steering control is adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | Dangerous |
| A wheel: – corroded, damaged or distorted to the extent that control of the motorbike is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A built-up wheel with: – rivets or bolts missing or loose to the extent that control of the motorbike is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A tyre: – with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber or with cords exposed or damaged |
Dangerous |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Dangerous |
| A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely to cause sudden deflation of the tyre | Dangerous |
There are 16 major defects for the wheel and tyres category: See .Gov Wheels, tyres and suspension.
Frame
Cracks, damage, distortion or corrosion on the frame in particular any of the above that could affect the steering or braking.
Below are all of the dangerous defects for frames listed on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A main load-bearing structural member fractured or deformed such that: – steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| Joining/attachment plates or fastenings: – so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced |
Dangerous |
| A main load-bearing structural member corroded to the extent that: – steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected |
Dangerous |
| A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley: – so loose or worn it is likely to fail |
Dangerous |
| A drive chain horseshoe locking device: – likely to become detached |
Dangerous |
| A transmission belt or chain – excessively tight, so that it is likely to fail |
Dangerous |
| An engine mounting or bracket: – fractured, missing or excessively loose |
Dangerous |
There are 11 major defects for frame category: See .Gov Frame and attachments.
Braking
Brakes as well as the operation, performance, efficiency and brake controls.
Brakes have the most possible defects of all of the categories tested. Below are the dangerous defects listed on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| Brake control: – so insecure that the brake cannot be readily applied |
Dangerous |
| Brake servo: – inoperative |
Dangerous |
| Master cylinder: – leaking |
Dangerous |
| Brake fluid: – not visible |
Dangerous |
| Brake pipe is at imminent risk of failure or fracture | Dangerous |
| Leaking brake pipe or connection | Dangerous |
| Brake hose damaged and likely to fail | Dangerous |
| Brake hoses or connections leaking | Dangerous |
| Brake hose ferrules: – excessively corroded and likely to fail |
Dangerous |
| Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | Dangerous |
| Brake lining or pad missing or incorrectly mounted | Dangerous |
| Brake disc or drum: – insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail – Missing |
Dangerous |
| Brake calliper or cylinder cracked or damaged and: – braking performance affected |
Dangerous |
| Brake calliper or cylinder leaking and: – braking performance affected |
Dangerous |
| Brake calliper or cylinder insecure or inadequately mounted and: – braking performance affected |
Dangerous |
| Brake calliper or cylinder: – excessively corroded and likely to crack |
Dangerous |
| Brake calliper or cylinder has: – no reserve travel and braking performance affected |
Dangerous |
| Braking system component modification: – adversely affecting braking performance |
Dangerous |
| On a motorbike with two front or rear wheels, there is: – no recorded brake effort at a wheel |
Dangerous |
| Brake efficiency: – less than 27.5% overall |
Dangerous |
There are 43 possible major defects: See .Gov Brakes.
Exhaust system
Exhaust system is secure and in a complete condition. A major component is the volume of the exhaust and whether it is too loud.
Sourced from the gov.uk website, below are the dangerous defects for the exhaust:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| (b) Any part of the exhaust system: – Likely to become detached |
Dangerous |
There are 1 major defect for exhaust system category. See .Gov Structure and attachments.
Fuel system
Fuel is checked in the MOT test for any leaks and whether components are securely fitted.
Below are all of the dangerous defects for fuel system listed on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank, pipe or hose: – insecure such that there is a risk of fire |
Dangerous |
| Fuel system: – leaking excessively or a risk of fire |
Dangerous |
There are 2 major defects for frame category: See .Gov Structure and attachments.
Seats
Riders seat is present and attached securely to the frame.
Below are all of the dangerous defects for seats listed on the gov.uk inspection manual:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A rider’s seat: – missing or insecure |
Dangerous |
| A pillion seat: – insecure |
Dangerous |
There are 2 major defects for the seats category: See .Gov Structure and attachments.
Wheel alignment
Front and back wheels must have the correct alignment.
There are no dangerous defaults for wheel alignment, however there are 4 major defaults: See .Gov Steering.
Horn
Horn is in working condition and suitable for the motorcycle. Distorted or unusual sounds will result in a failed MOT test.
There are no dangerous defects for this category however there are 2 major defects: See .Gov Audible warning.
Number plate, frame number and vehicle identification number
Readable number plate in good condition, VIN and frame number checks.
There are no dangerous defects for this category however there are 7 major defects: See .Gov Identification of the motorcycle.
Throttle
That the throttle is is proper working order.
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A throttle control: – functioning such that safe operation of the motorbike is affected |
Dangerous |
There is one major defect for the throttle category: See .Gov Structure and attachments.
Clutch lever
Clutch lever must not be too bent, damaged or shortened making it uneasy to use.
There are no dangerous faults for clutch lever, however there is one major fault: See .Gov Structure and attachments
Footrests
Footrests must be present and fitted securely.
There are no dangerous faults for footrests, however there is one major fault: See .Gov footrests.
For information on the minor, major and dangerous defects that can occur in any of these categories, visit gov.uk MOT Inspection Manual.
How do I book my MOT test?
Book with a reputable MOT test center before the date of expiry of the current MOT certificate. You may also consider a council run MOT test centre although they do not carry out MOT repairs.
It is illegal to drive without a valid MOT so bare this in mind when booking up. For more information on testing, see our MOT test procedure guide.
How much will it cost to get my motorbike MOT’d?
- Standard cost for a motorbike mot test £29.65
- Motorcycle with a sidecar £37.80
Citations
MOT inspection manual- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-motorcycles
GOV.UK Parts checked at an MOT – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/motorcycle-parts-checked-at-an-mot/motorcycle-parts-checked-at-an-mot