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Motorcycle MOT guides
Plain-English guides to the motorcycle MOT: what it costs, what the tester checks, which class your bike needs and when it is due. Every figure is taken from GOV.UK and DVSA guidance.
- How Much Is a Motorcycle MOT? Maximum Fees and RetestsThe legal maximum fee for a motorcycle MOT is £29.65, or £37.80 with a sidecar. What you can be charged, retest rules and how to avoid paying twice.
- What Is Checked in a Motorcycle MOT?The parts a tester inspects on a motorcycle MOT, from lights and brakes to the frame and exhaust, and what the test does not cover.
- Motorcycle MOT Classes Explained: Class 1, 2 and 3Which MOT class your bike needs: class 1 up to 200cc, class 2 over 200cc, and class 3 for light three-wheelers, plus what it means when booking.
- When Does a Motorcycle Need an MOT?A motorcycle needs its first MOT by its third birthday and then every year. Early testing, riding to a booked test, penalties and the 40-year exemption.
- Class 7 MOT Explained: Which Vans Need One and What It CostsClass 7 covers goods vehicles over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg, and zero emission goods vehicles up to 4,250kg. Maximum fee £58.60. How to find a class 7 test station.
Quick answers
What is the most a motorcycle MOT can cost?
The maximum fee is £29.65 for a motorcycle and £37.80 for a motorcycle with a sidecar. There is no VAT on the MOT fee.
Does a motorcycle MOT check the engine?
No. The MOT does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.
What MOT class is a motorbike?
Motorcycles up to 200cc are class 1 and motorcycles over 200cc are class 2. Both have a maximum fee of £29.65, or £37.80 with a sidecar.
When is a motorcycle's first MOT due?
By the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that.
What vehicles need a class 7 MOT?
Petrol, diesel and hybrid goods vehicles over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight, and zero emission goods vehicles from 3,501kg to 4,250kg.