MOT Test Checks

Discussion in 'Scooter Guides' started by Burns, Mar 27, 2009.

  1. Burns

    Burns Active Member

    Messages:
    1,486
    Rides:
    Aprilia sr50
    LIGHTS

    Of the 20% failure rate on bike MOT tests, over half are for defective lights. Quite amazing since these are amongst the simplest items to check yourself before going to the test.

    The requirements are simple, and quite straightforward to replace or adjust, without the need of a mechanic.

    HEADLIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS must be free of chips or cracks; the headlight must also work on main and dip beam, the main beam must shine directly ahead and the dip slightly lower and to the left.

    INDICATOR LIGHTS must all flash at a steady rate and the warning lights function properly.

    If a HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM is fitted, all 4 indicators must flash at a steady uniform rate.

    Bikes must have a red REFLECTOR on the rear of the machine, either bolted on separately or as part of the tail light lens.


    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION



    STEERING

    The next highest fail rate is on steering, look at the test items below and if you’re in any doubt as to whether they will pass, consult a qualified service engineer.
    With the front wheel raised off the ground the handlebar must not hit or foul the tank when the steering is fully turned lock to lock, the steering must move freely and without drag or notchiness.
    The handlebar must be securely mounted and the grips secure.
    With the fork sliders held, try to push and pull on the forks, there must be no play in the steering head bearings.

    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION



    BRAKES

    In day-to-day riding there is perhaps no more important part of your bikes equipment that, when working properly, may just save your life! It is also the third highest reason for failure in MOT testing.

    The examiner will:
    Check the hoses for fluid leaks, bulges & cracking
    Check disc brakes are securely mounted and free from cracks
    Check ABS warning lights, where fitted
    Check the wheel is free to rotate without brake drag in free-wheel
    Check that brake pads/shoes are not warn beyond limits
    Check the rear brake torque arm is secure and that fasteners are secured by self-locking nuts or castellated nuts with split-pins or R-clips
    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION


    WHEELS & TYRES

    Over one quarter of MOT test failures are due to worn tyres, remember, safety first – worn tyres can kill! Here are the main items the examiner will check on the bike:
    Cast wheels should be secure and free from cracks, similarly, spoked wheels will be checked for broken, corroded, loose or bent spokes
    The tyre and wheel must run free in free-wheel nor must they fould the suspension or the mudguards
    Worn wheel bearings will fail and the front and rear wheels will be checked for alignment
    Tyres must be compatible, suitable for road use and, if fitted with a direction arrow, fitted to spin in the direction of forward wheel rotation
    Tyres will be checked for tread depth and condition as well as sidewall condition.
    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION


    SUSPENSION

    As the tests are subtly different we will deal front and rear separately.

    For the front suspension the examiner will check:
    No oil leaks from anti-drive units
    On bikes with swingarm suspension, there must be no freeplay in the linkage when moved from side to side
    There should be no oil visible on the fork tube or leaking down the slider around the fork oil geras
    The forks must be adequately dampened
    At the rear, the checks will be:
    No oil leaks around the shock absorber
    No play in the swingarm or suspension linkage bearings
    Pivot bearings will be checked for wear
    The shock absorber must give adequate damping
    The suspension must not foul on body parts or acessories
    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION


    EXHAUST SYSTEM

    The decibel level will be assessed at the discretion of the tester, other checks are:
    The exhaust mountings must be secure and not fouling any part of the rear suspension
    The exhaust must not be holed and free from leaks from both joints and box(es)
    Replacements units, other than bikes registered before 01.Jan.1985, must have the BSAU 193 stamp
    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION


    FINAL DRIVE
    The chain/belt must not have excessive slack and be in good condition, the guard must be secure and not fouling
    On shaft drive bikes, the drive unit must be free from oil leaks
    Both sprockets should be securely mounted and not excessively worn
    Top of Page | FURTHER INFORMATION


    MORE CHECKS

    In addition to the items mentioned above the examiner will:
    Check that the HORN is of reasonable volume and a continuous single tone
    Check for CORROSION on the frame and any load bearing components
    The FOOTRESTS must have an anti-slip surface
    All major components, bodypanels and mudguards must be securely fitted
    The footrests, handlebar levers and brake pedal must be securely mounted
     
  2. MiNoR cOnFuSiOn

    MiNoR cOnFuSiOn Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,276
    Rides:
    et2 monster
    nice one bruv.. altho general condition is also taken into account, too much brown tape or bodged in nuts/bolts and its down to discresion of tester not just how secure things are.. ive had them quibble over the way pipes and pannels are mounted befor.. just because its secure it doesent mean it will stay secure, and they can choose to fail somthing on aftermarket desighn if they so wish.

    but ye, asshole testers out the way its pritymuch complete so cheers for the addition ;)
     
  3. Vesta

    Vesta New Member

    Messages:
    2,615
  4. jj180

    jj180 Active Member

    Messages:
    2,250
    Rides:
    Mrt 183/Vespa 300
    HA mot, no indicators, no frotn mudguard, small plate, pm59 thats louddddddd wheeelie bar, passssed with flying colour
     
  5. monty9120

    monty9120 Active Member

    Messages:
    3,624
    Rides:
    Vespa gts300
    Its who you know... init :cool:
     
  6. [-Jebus-]

    [-Jebus-] Member

    Messages:
    337
    lol yep... my mate passed his with like no rear brake and a fucked clutch haha... place round here just looks at it - shows its working, thats bout it haha
     
  7. bertie

    bertie Active Member

    Messages:
    1,440
    Rides:
    '93 Skipper LX125
    Round here, they fail your bike on parts that arnt even real. Or they fail things that work fine then rip you off silly for a 10 min job.

    I had a piaggio skipper with 2 missing suspension gators apparently, according to cbs whitton. £240 to get them done too, funny that ive never seen rubber gators on any bike thats made after WW2.

    My boss recently had his car mot'ed at a local test station, its a 04 plate toyota corolla with just 30,000miles on the clock, he had the car since new and hes an old man so its never been driven hard.
    And it failed on rear suspension ball joints excessive play
    Window screen whipers make a squeek
    Rear brake pads worn 95% (how do they work out the percentage of a brake pad??)

    Cost to fix: £450

    Funny enough the car had only done 5 miles since its last MOT (which it passed no problems), due to boss buying a cheap run around. And all that has suddently gone wrong in 5 miles :blah: :tdwn:
     
  8. kyle1b1

    kyle1b1 New Member

    Messages:
    5,191
    i had a bike fail on a fucked flux capacitor
     
  9. Vesta

    Vesta New Member

    Messages:
    2,615
    didn't you mean continuum transfuctioner?
     
  10. kyle1b1

    kyle1b1 New Member

    Messages:
    5,191
    nah thats what blew on my car

    bike failed on flux capacitor
     
  11. dezze

    dezze Member

    Messages:
    148
    What a great thread this will help a lot of people
    Keep up the good work man
     
  12. star-172

    star-172 New Member

    Messages:
    763
    Rides:
    Donkey
    I passed mine by text once :msn1: when i was 16..

    Didnt even need to see the bike! It cost 40 pound doe. :msn1:
     
  13. MiNoR cOnFuSiOn

    MiNoR cOnFuSiOn Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    14,276
    Rides:
    et2 monster
    erm, this is an admission to illigal mot procedure.. not really good to chat about this on here, this is admisable as evidence in court, and i KNOW theres police on the board, id sudgest reporting this mot centre
     
  14. star-172

    star-172 New Member

    Messages:
    763
    Rides:
    Donkey
    This was a good 3 years ago, The center isnt even there no more lol. But yeah true.
     
  15. chaise

    chaise Member

    Messages:
    38
    Rides:
    sym jet basix 50cc
    just a quick question i intend on doing a bar conversion on a sym jet basix and want to mount the standard indicator lenses at the bottom of the front pannel next to the head light would this pass mot or is there a certain requirement for the spacing and positioning thanks chaise front.jpg
     

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