MoT questions

[Mitch]

Can this be sticky'd please?

There is a website here that answers all bike MoT questions, so there isn't the usual dose of misinformation that often appears on these threads (such as needing a high-beam or neutral light... you don't need either!).

http://www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_610.htm

I know it's all with the best of intentions... but misinformation often leads to more stress for the poor sods having to get their bikes sorted over and above what they need to.

[trikerdrew]

That'll be right useful ,so it will.:thumbsu:

drew

[irishbiker]

Interesting read...

One question jumps out at me:

On page regarding VIN numbers:


http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_630.htm


It states that a VIN is required on all vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1980.

Does that mean if the vehicle is older it does not legally have to have one?

P.

[Mitch]

It says after that date, so draw your own conclusions :)

[titusni]

Interesting read...


Irishbiker, I assume you're based in Northern Ireland in which case you should we aware that the likn Mitch posted refers to the GB MOT. The NI MOT for bikes (and certainly for trikes) is slightly different than the GB one (i.e. NI requires speedos to be dual MPH/KPM marked whereas a MPH only speedo is fine in GB).

[irishbiker]

I'm from Northern Ireland (Antrim Town) but I'm currently in Buxton, but yes I know our MOT's are slightly different. Tho there was this old guy who used to work at the Ballymena centre who was nice to bikers....

Saying that I'd say most of the MOT specs that the DVLA use are prob the same for the DVLNI. (I've even heard they are moving the offices from Coleraine to Swansea).

P.

[cxdemon]

There ya go Mitch.:thumbu:

[Mitch]

Ta very much meester! :D

I'm from Northern Ireland (Antrim Town) but I'm currently in Buxton, but yes I know our MOT's are slightly different. Tho there was this old guy who used to work at the Ballymena centre who was nice to bikers....

That's Ballymena for ya, a good crowd over there! (went there a few years ago when I was involved with MAG, as NC observer to the NI AGM)

[Grav]

That will come in very handy, Mitch.

cheers.:thumbu:

[titusni]

Saying that I'd say most of the MOT specs that the DVLA use are prob the same for the DVLNI. (I've even heard they are moving the offices from Coleraine to Swansea).


Nope, they're not the same specs. We've been having a lot of problems over the past year or so with trike MOTs and the DVTA NI (or DVA as they're known now) won't let us see their Testers manuals to sort out any disagreements about their interpretation of the C&U and RVLR regulations...

[Mitch]

OK then Titusni,
do you have access to the NI version, that you can post a link to? :D

[irishbiker]

Hmmm OK, never knew that. Of course you could get a cheap ferry crossing and pop over to Stranraer :)

[harry]

Irishbiker, I assume you're based in Northern Ireland in which case you should we aware that the likn Mitch posted refers to the GB MOT. The NI MOT for bikes (and certainly for trikes) is slightly different than the GB one (i.e. NI requires speedos to be dual MPH/KPM marked whereas a MPH only speedo is fine in GB).



Mitch I applaud your idea of getting rid of misinformation but it's harder than you think. Titusni If you check the MOT manual you find no requirement for a speedo at all. A speedo is required by construction and use regulations (C&U) and for type approval or MSVA a pre registration test. So the tester can't fail you for a lack of one or incorrect markings on it. BUT a copper on the road can do you for not having one cos he uses C&U regs.

[shaggy696969]

And Mitch yours is out of date, too, it was last updated sept 07 so even Borgs Reg plates changes arent noted there either. God knows what else they have changed since then.

[Mitch]

There's nowt on this one about reg plates either...

http://www.motuk.com/Motorcycle%20MOT.htm#information8

[titusni]

Titusni If you check the MOT manual you find no requirement for a speedo at all. A speedo is required by construction and use regulations (C&U) and for type approval or MSVA a pre registration test. So the tester can't fail you for a lack of one or incorrect markings on it. BUT a copper on the road can do you for not having one cos he uses C&U regs.

I was focusing to the Northern Ireland situation, so maybe my choice of words weren't the best regarding the GB situation.

According to the "Motor Vehicle Testing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003" the MOT testers will apply regulations 40 & 41 from "Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999" regarding speedometers. Regulation 40 of C&U(NI) requires a bike, trike, or car to be fitted with a speedometer capable of indicating speed in both MPH and KPH either simultaneously or switchable between the 2 displays.

So a dual marked speedo *IS* required for bikes, trikes, cars, etc to pass a MOT in Northern Ireland as well as being a legal requirements for vehicle use on the road.

Whereas in GB you can pass a MOT without a speedo fitted but legally must have a speedo fitted when using the vehicle on the road (though the speedo can be MPH only).

The point being that someone in Northern Ireland can buy a 2nd hand trike that's been happily MOTed in GB for several years (with a MPH-only speedo so legal for GB road use) and then some time in the following 12 months they take it for its 1st MOT in Northern Ireland and suddenly they're surprised to find that its fails as the speedo isn't dual-marked.

If you compare the NI and GB versions of RVLR and C&U and also the MOT testing regs there are quite a few subtle differences.

[titusni]

OK then Titusni,
do you have access to the NI version, that you can post a link to? :D

Nope, there is no NI MOT test manual available to the general public. Remember that unlike in GB the MOT tests here are performed only at 15 government-run test centres so whatever documents exist for their testers to consult are internal DVA(NI) ones.

I have asking in the past whether I could view their documents in person at a test centre but the answer was no. Apparently all they have is an electronic version on their internal network.

I've had to made do with looking at the actual relevant laws themselves:

Motor Vehicle Testing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003
Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

whenever they've failed some trikes and people have disagreed with their failure decisions.

I'm considering filing a Freedom Of Information request as that appears to be the only possibility to see what the DVA(NI) "MOT testers handbook" document contain...

[Mitch]

Do it!! You know it makes sense! :D

[boysworstcat]

Will I have problems getting an MOT if I hardtail my bike?

[Mitch]

At least you'll be exempt from the items concerning suspension! :D

[shaggy696969]

Depends if tester works to rule, new rumours are that Hardtails need MSVA testing as they have had radical alterations. It has always been in the Mot testers book about changing of cradle and radically altered veihicles, well for past 20yrs anyway, Bolt ons not a problem as with weld on rear ends but alter the cradle and suspension and it goes belly up. The times they are (rumoured) a changing, Brit chopper Forum has covered this exstensivly with most of the Builders there working now to SVA test Book.

[boysworstcat]

I feared this. I'll ask my MOT man and see what he thinks.

[SLEDGE]

Having been a tester for a number of years, I have one piece of advice. If you have a problem and you really can't find the answer in print, then find out who your local "Vehicle Examiner" is. This is the man that keeps all the testing stations in check. He works for VOSA and from my experience they are all very nice people. If he doesn't know the answer, you can be certain he will find it out for you. Your best bet is to visit your nearest ministry testing station and they can tell you who covers your area.

Also, The attitude of VOSA is that, if their is any doubt, the customer gets the benefit of the doubt! That's what all testers are taught! Beware of testing stations that may have a vested interest in failing your trike. Regarding car tests, always use a "main dealer", the testers have no vested interest!