Forum

[Jamie G]

It's getting near the time I need to consider the legality of my 1959 rebuild. Being new to old bikes, what does the bike need for an MOT? It has no mirrors, indicators etc - it is as was when new - but I don't know if it needs anything like this to get through a modern test. Any pointers appreciated.

[Davie Hall]

I thought the law changed a year or two back, where pre 1960 vehicles were made mot exempt

[Mark M]

Jamie, you have described the MOT requirement perfectly, "as was when new". Basically the bike is Tested to the standard of the days it was made, (it would be stupid to test a drum brake like a modern 6 pot disc for instance!) but there is an exception: some bikes were originally supplied without brake lights, if your bike has a rear light it must have a brake light as well, but this only needs to work off the rear brake. Everything else must be mechanically sound, I won't list everything. There is a strange loophole in the regs: some items (eg speedo, chainguard,) are required in the Construction and Use Regulations but are not part of the MOT test. For your first test I recommend that you find an Old Bike friendly Tester (he needn't be old, I've met some perfectly sensible young Testers and some idiotically prescriptive ones too,) that will treat your bike with respect and hopefully talk you through it, they aren't obliged to do this by the way. Finally, your bike is now MOT exempt but I think you should get it tested anyway, we can all make mistakes. If you tell us where you are someone may be able to suggest a suitable Tester. Incidentally, your Tester need not be your nearest, as long as the appointment is booked he could be 100 miles away! REgards, Mark

[Scalyback]

The DVLA site says...



7. Vehicles exempt from MOT


Some vehicles don’t have to take an MOT test. These include:



tractors

goods vehicles powered by electricity

any vehicle less than 3 years old

cars and motorbikes made before 1960

A full list of currently exempt vehicles is on form V112. You need to fill in the form to tax your vehicle if it is exempt.



SO if you really want an MOT, you will need to get a newer bike!



I'd keep the 1959 one and not bother with an MOT myself!

[Jamie G]

Great reply, thanks Mark. I'm in Kent.

[Scalyback]

As Mark M says, would still be an idea to have mot man or a good mechanic to check the bike over.!



I learnt this, when bits fell of mine, and it took a while to work out where the vibration came from!

[Count Johnny]

Ken (Kickstart Motorcycles, in Lee) 'understands' old bikes.

[PeteF]

You don't NEED an MOT but you could ask a mechanic to look it over. If you asked him to do an actual MOT and it failed, I'm not sure what your position would be.

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----------PETE F, yes-- that's an interesting point...The real question is}--- Are MoT-Exempt vehicles still on the MoT Database ?? .... My guess is that they're not ( because there's no need for them to be there) and therefore your local tester could not book it in for a test as such...... BUT, they might be prepared to check your vehicle to the same standards etc... and give you a verbal/ typed report....How much the ££'s might be is another question though..........Does anyone at our hosts know the definitive answer ???

[Alan R]

----------Further to my last post}-- It seems that the Test-exempt vehicles will still be on the "system" because the sale/transfer of cherished numbers still requires a test certificate..If you want a test for your Pre-1960 vehicle you can request a "Voluntary" one...Use GOOGLE for more info....