MOT inspection manual: motorcycles
Inspection processes and rules for motorcycle, scooter, moped and motorcycle combination (class 1 and 2 vehicle) MOT tests.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Guidance for Northern Ireland
There are different MOT inspection manuals for cars and passenger vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles.
Contents
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Definitions, vehicle classes, reasons to refuse to test a vehicle, historic vehicles, and inspection procedures for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Registration plate (number plate) and vehicle identification number rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Brake condition and operation (including brake lever and pedal, lining and pads, callipers and cylinders), brake performance and efficiency, and brake fluid rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Mechanical condition, handlebar, forks and yokes and wheel alignment rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Section 3 of the motorcycle MOT inspection manual is not currently used.
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Headlamp, position lamps, stop lamps, direction indicators, rear registration plate lamp, rear reflector and direction indicator ‘tell-tale’ rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Wheel bearing, wheel and tyre, and suspension (including springs, shock absorbers, and suspension arms and joints) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Frame and attachments (including exhaust system and fuel system), and seat and riding controls (including clutch and throttle controls and footrests) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Audible warning (horn) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Exhaust noise rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
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Assessing corrosion and methods of repair for motorcycle MOT tests.
Update history
2025-06-24 09:03
Introduction – 3. Motorcycles of historical interest – removed ‘If you or your assistant are not familiar with the controls of a historic motorcycle, you should ask the vehicle presenter – if available – to operate or demonstrate the controls.’Definition of insecure – changed the third bullet point from ‘a safety critical component (braking, steering or suspension system component) is not safely attached at its fixing or to an associated component’ to ‘a safety critical component (braking, steering or suspension system component) is not safely or completely attached at its fixing or to an associated component’.Inspection procedure – added ‘If you or your assistant are not familiar with the controls of the motorcycle, you should ask the vehicle presenter – if available – to operate or demonstrate the controls.’
2023-02-06 15:11
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – 4.1.2 add additional information for items not tested”“Not tested” or “unable to be tested” should only be used where it becomes apparent during the test that the particular item cannot be tested, and this could not have been identified prior to starting the test. The reason for selecting the failure must be included in the additional information box.”
2022-03-02 11:38
Introduction – Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Bullet point 1 changed from ‘Class 1 – motorcycle or motorcycle and sidecar up to 200cc’ to ‘Class 1 – motorcycles or motorcycle combinations up to 200cc and motorcycles with not more than 4kW maximum continuous rated power and a maximum design speed up to 45km/h (28mph) – Category L1, L3 and L4’Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Bullet point 2 changed from – ‘Class 2 – all motorcycles or motorcycle and sidecar combinations including Class 1’ to ‘Class 2 – all motorcycles or motorcycle combinations other than those in category L1’Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Removed sentence ‘Classes 1 and 2 both include categories L1, L3 or L4’Introduction – 17. Retest following failure – Bullet point added ‘carry out another brake performance test and record the results in the MOT testing service, where the braking system may have been affected by the repairs’
MOT inspection manual: motorcycles
Inspection processes and rules for motorcycle, scooter, moped and motorcycle combination (class 1 and 2 vehicle) MOT tests.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Guidance for Northern Ireland
There are different MOT inspection manuals for cars and passenger vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles.
Contents
-
Definitions, vehicle classes, reasons to refuse to test a vehicle, historic vehicles, and inspection procedures for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Registration plate (number plate) and vehicle identification number rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Brake condition and operation (including brake lever and pedal, lining and pads, callipers and cylinders), brake performance and efficiency, and brake fluid rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Mechanical condition, handlebar, forks and yokes and wheel alignment rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Section 3 of the motorcycle MOT inspection manual is not currently used.
-
Headlamp, position lamps, stop lamps, direction indicators, rear registration plate lamp, rear reflector and direction indicator ‘tell-tale’ rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Wheel bearing, wheel and tyre, and suspension (including springs, shock absorbers, and suspension arms and joints) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Frame and attachments (including exhaust system and fuel system), and seat and riding controls (including clutch and throttle controls and footrests) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Audible warning (horn) rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Exhaust noise rules and inspection for motorcycle MOT tests.
-
Assessing corrosion and methods of repair for motorcycle MOT tests.
Update history
2025-06-24 09:03
Introduction – 3. Motorcycles of historical interest – removed ‘If you or your assistant are not familiar with the controls of a historic motorcycle, you should ask the vehicle presenter – if available – to operate or demonstrate the controls.’Definition of insecure – changed the third bullet point from ‘a safety critical component (braking, steering or suspension system component) is not safely attached at its fixing or to an associated component’ to ‘a safety critical component (braking, steering or suspension system component) is not safely or completely attached at its fixing or to an associated component’.Inspection procedure – added ‘If you or your assistant are not familiar with the controls of the motorcycle, you should ask the vehicle presenter – if available – to operate or demonstrate the controls.’
2023-02-06 15:11
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – 4.1.2 add additional information for items not tested”“Not tested” or “unable to be tested” should only be used where it becomes apparent during the test that the particular item cannot be tested, and this could not have been identified prior to starting the test. The reason for selecting the failure must be included in the additional information box.”
2022-03-02 11:38
Introduction – Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Bullet point 1 changed from ‘Class 1 – motorcycle or motorcycle and sidecar up to 200cc’ to ‘Class 1 – motorcycles or motorcycle combinations up to 200cc and motorcycles with not more than 4kW maximum continuous rated power and a maximum design speed up to 45km/h (28mph) – Category L1, L3 and L4’Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Bullet point 2 changed from – ‘Class 2 – all motorcycles or motorcycle and sidecar combinations including Class 1’ to ‘Class 2 – all motorcycles or motorcycle combinations other than those in category L1’Introduction – 2. Application (Classes 1 and 2) – Removed sentence ‘Classes 1 and 2 both include categories L1, L3 or L4’Introduction – 17. Retest following failure – Bullet point added ‘carry out another brake performance test and record the results in the MOT testing service, where the braking system may have been affected by the repairs’