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MOT Inspection Manual Menu
MOTORCYCLE MOT
Introduction- How to use this manual
This
Manual is a detailed guide to the inspection for statutory MOT testing
of the following vehicle classes:
Class I, Solo Motor bicycles with engine size
up to 200cc.
Class II, Solo motor bicycles over 200cc and
all Motor Bicycles with side cars.
Important
A motor bicycle and side car has a layout in
which one of the wheeled elements is clearly
recognisable as a side car. It is acceptable
that in adapting a solo machine for use with
a side car attachment that changes to the systems
eg tyres and suspension may have been made.
These are vehicles in Class II.
A motor tricycle is a three wheeled vehicle
on which none of the wheeled elements is recognisable
as a side car. These vehicles are in Class III
or IV. depending on their weight.
Class I and II testing stations are not authorised
to test motor tricycles. They are therefore
not covered by this manual.
Testing
Personnel
The inspection will be carried out by a qualified
MOT tester, nominated for this purpose, with
an assistant working under their direction.
In appropriate cases, the person submitting
the Machine {’the vehicle presenter’) is permitted
to act as the assistant, if they are willing
and the nominated tester is satisfied with their
competence and that all Health and Safely requirements
are met. For example, the machine presenter
will normally be capable of operating light
switches etc., but might not be able to properly
push, pull or lever road wheels etc.
Only the nominated tester signing the test documentation
is empowered to make a decision about the results
of the inspection of a particular item. This
does not stop the nominated tester from asking
the advice of others.
Use of
Equipment
The Vehicle Inspectorate publishes a list of
equipment which it has accepted for statutory
testing of Class I and II vehicles. Only the
specified equipment from this list may be used
for statutory testing. This does not apply to
general workshop equipment such as stands, tyre
pressure gauges etc.
Stripping
or Dismantling
This is not permitted except for the removal
of panels or covers, designed to be easily removed
without the use of tools, where it is necessary
to allow the examination of an item. Panels
and covers must be securely replaced at the
end of the test. It is appreciated that machines
fitted with only a side-stand can present a
problem when trying to check the suspension
correctly, particularly if the machine is fitted
with a fairing belly pan.
If you feel that you cannot properly and safely
carry out the inspection then you should refuse
to test the machine, (see Introduction item
6). Alternatively, you may request the presenter
to remove the belly pan, if possible, before
commencing the test, if this will allow you
to safely raise the machine.
Road Testing
The statutory test does not specifically include
a road test. However, it may be considered necessary
to check brakes. steering, the effect of wheel
misalignment etc by riding the machine. If the
tester considers road testing is necessary to
check the results of an inspection, the tester
must be qualified to carry out the road test,
and must be satisfied it is safe to conduct
that test.
Refusal to test
This manual does not include the reasons for
refusing to test a vehicle in the Reasons for
rejection Columns. If any of the reasons to
refuse to test below apply, the test should
not be started, the presenter of the machine
informed and any fee paid for the test must
be returned. It is therefore advised that ’refusal’
items are quickly checked before starting the
test proper. The reasons for refusing to carry
out the test are that:
a. the registration
document or other evidence of the date of first
use is not produced when required if it is necessary
to have this information to carry out the test
satisfactorily (note -this will only normally
be necessary if the machine has a "cherished"
registration mark or if the year letter on the
registration mark does not make it clear which
standard should be applied - e.g. direction
indicator requirements on machines First used
after IstAugust 1986;
b. the machine
is presented in such a dirty condition that
examination is unreasonably difficult:
c. the machine
cannot be driven or has insufficient fuel or
oil to enable the test to be completed;
d. the tester
considers that an insecure load or other items
would prevent a proper test being carried out
unless the load is secured or removed;
e. the VTS
asks for the test fee to be paid in advance
and this is not done;
f. a proper
examination cannot be carried out because any
cover or other device designed to be readily
opened cannot be readily opened, e.g. a seat
is locked down and lifting is required in order
to inspect the structure of the machine;
g. the condition
of the machine is such that. in the opinion
of the tester a proper examination would involve
a danger of injury to any person or damage to
the vehicle or other property.
If, despite due care initially, it becomes apparent
during a test that the test cannot be completed
for any one of the above reasons, you must fail
the machine because the test could not be satisfactorily
completed. Any re-test and fee must be in line
with normal policy, treating the component which
could not be checked as a failure item.
Note: Decline to test
a machine if:
(i)
if it is of such a size, weight or configuration
that it cannot be property or safely tested
on the approved facilities.
(ii) any
motor bicycle the frame of which is stamped
’not for road use’ or words to that effect.
Inspection
Procedure
The entire test must be carried out by one tester
whose name is on the list of Nominated Testers
(VT26).
Inspection
Manual Layout
Information
The ’information’ columns contain details a
tester needs to know that are relevant to that
part of the inspection. The information is in
note form and referenced in the Method of Inspection
and Reason for Rejection columns. The notes
give valuable guidance on the conduct of the
test and the scope of the various inspections.
Method of Inspection
This column describes the way that each component
or system is to be tested.
Reason for Rejection
This column describes how severe a defect must
be to fail the test. Only those reasons for
rejection found here may be applied-
’First used’
dates
A machines ’first used’ date is either
(a)
Its date of manufacture, if the machine
was originally used without being registered
(eg, an imported vehicle, an ex-HM Forces vehicle
etc), or
(b) In any
other case, the earlier of either
. Its date of first registration,or
. The date six months after it was manufactured
Q’ plate registered
vehicles
Q’ plate registration is issued if the machine
is of ’indeterminate age’. For MOT Testing purposes
assume the machine to have been first used on
Ist January 1971.
Assessment
of component wear and deterioration
A tester is expected to use his experience and
judgement in assessing the condition of a component,
as it is not practicable to lay down limits
of wear and tolerance for all components found
on different makes and model of machine. The
main criteria a tester should use when making
an assessment are:
(a) whether
the condition of the component is likely to
adversely affect the roadworthiness of the machine;
(b) whether
the component has clearly reached the stage
when replacement, repair or adjustment is necessary;
Disabled Rider’s
Controls
A defective disabled riders control or fitment
that is a testable item justifies failure in
the normal way.
The defect description must include an explanation
of the control type or fitment and it’s function
so that it is clear it applies only to disabled
rider’s equipment.
If the disabled rider’s controls or fitments
are additional to and do not adversely affect
the normal motorcycle equipment they are not
testable items. Any defect to an additional
control or fitment found during the test should
be reported to the vehicle presenter
Recording Defects
If a defect in a testable item is found at an
inspection, the nature of the defect must be
clearly described in the reasons for failure
column of the refusal notification form VT30
(see MOT Testing Guide).
Dangerous Defects
If. during an inspection, a defect is seen in
a component, whether or not it is a testable
item, and the defect is likely, in the opinion
of the machine tester, when the machine is driven
on the road, to cause
Danger to any person, or
Damage to the machine, or to any other property
Details of the defect must be reported to the
vehicle presenter
If a refusal notification is issued the dangerous
defect must be noted in the appropriate section
of the form.
Advice on defects
You may wish to issue ’advice’ in writing on
defects, that have not yet reached the severity
to fail the test.
Special Notices
(SNs) and Manual Updates
Special Notices and replacement pages containing
amendments or additions to the Manual must be
retained and acted upon.
Temporary pages may be firmly attached over
each original page. Permanent replacement pages
must be inserted in the Manual and superseded
pages removed.
Each amendment to the Manual must be recorded
in Appendix A.
The MOT Testing
Guide
Among other things, the Guide defines the vehicle
testing classes. It explains how to complete
the test documentation and gives reasons for
refusing/declining to start a test and what
should be done when a test cannot be completed.
Health and Safety
Authorised Examiners and their staff are reminded that they are obliged
to adhere to all relevant Health and Safety Legislation while MOT
testing. Advice can be obtained from your local Health and Safety
Enforcement Officer or Local Authority Environmental Health Officers
as appropriate. |

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