Pass your motorbike MOT the first time

See a full bike MOT checklist and costs

You can also check the 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 the following test)

Check Your Bike's MOT History

What is the Registration Number?

CarVeto provides MOT history for motorcycles registered in England, Wales and Scotland post-2005

Motorcycle MOT
Lights
Steering and Suspension
Wheels and Tyres
Frame
Brakes
Exhaust System
Fuel System
Seats
Wheel Alignment
Sidecar
Horn
Number Plate, Frame and VIN
Sprocket and Chain
Throttle
Clutch
Foot Rests
MOT Exclusions
Booking an MOT

Just like most vehicles, motorbikes need to have a valid MOT certificate three years after the date of manufacture.

CarVeto provides a comprehensive motorbike check and can give a full bike MOT history.

The MOT fault classifications have been redefined in the last year, so it’s important 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, please 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.

Side car (if you have one attached)

If your motorbike has a sidecar, the MOT test checks it’s securely attached together with alignment, wheels, wheel bearings, suspension, lights and tyres.

Horn

The 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 in 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.

Related guide: How to Check a VIN Number Online.

Sprocket and drive chain

Check if the chain is too loose, tight or worn, this includes a sprocket examination and to see whether the chain guard is securely fitted.

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.

What is not included in the MOT test?

The MOT does not test for the motorbikes general mechanical condition. Therefore the test does not include the following:

Engine
Clutch
Gearbox

Frequently Asked Questions

Book your motorcycle MOT test through a DVSA-authorised test centre before your current certificate expires. Use your vehicle registration number (VRN) to confirm availability and booking.

You can book with:

Independent garages approved by the DVSA
Council-run MOT test centres (inspection only; no repairs)

Requirements:

The motorcycle must be presented at the test location on time
You may drive without a valid MOT only to a pre-booked test

Always retain booking confirmation as proof during transit. Check your MOT expiry date using CarVeto’s MOT history lookup.

Check the MOT Test Procedure for motorbikes, mopeds and scooters.

The DVSA sets maximum MOT test fees for motorcycles:

£29.65 for a standard motorcycle
£37.80 for a bike with a sidecar

These are the highest amounts any DVSA-certified test centre can charge. Lower prices are allowed, but test centres cannot exceed these limits.

Fees apply only for the MOT inspection. They do not include servicing or repairs. Prices are consistent across the UK under DVSA regulation, excluding Northern Ireland.