Forum

[Jools]

Hi all
My 2007 350 has been on sorn for 3 or 4 years. I've just completed a re-vamp and it's now ready for the MOT.
I've just insured it (extra 60 quid for changing the colour of the tank from black to battleship grey???) and now need to get it to the local garage. Can you still ride to a pre arranged test or has that all changed?
Also, does anyone know a MOT station around Maidstone familiar with RE's?
Cheers
Jools

[Gwilly]

Fairly sure you can ride there if the appointment has been made... Not practical any other way really i suppose... May just take an hour to get there.. get my drift...

Dont know maidstone area... Good Luck.

[Mark M]

A pre-booked MOT appointment is fine. You are supposed to go straight there and back but if the station is a specialist and some distance away that's ok too! Also, if you've just rebuilt a bike and haven't got it registered yet, you will need an MOT for the process so you can ride to the appointment with no number plate too. REgards, Mark

[Gwilly]

HaHa, Just had a memory flash,"infrequent". Standing outside the dockyard gates late fifties, end of shift and watching the Fanny Barnets and bantams race home..

Surprising number where battleship grey with shades of red lead...

[Alan R]

Hi guys-------- JOOLS, it must be Pre-Booked (ie a telephone call, etc), you must ride straight there--AND straight back by the shortest, practical route ( eg a 50cc HONDA can't go on a motorway but a 90cc can)....with NO stops to visit yer matey's for a chinwag and cuppa !!......... Also, if you are having a "Daylight" MoT then you may only travel outside lighting-up hours ( obvious really)..But you've done the main one that a lot of folk forget and that is INSURANCE COVER......Make sure that your tax disc holder is empty as a keen "rozzer" could technically have you for fraudulent display, as in reality you still come under the SORN terms ( This journey being a recognised exception)......Something that started recently in our area was a requirement to have a separate red reflector just below the rear No. plate....Check your steering stops for function and no cables being pulled/pinched around the headstock.....Are the frame and Eng. Nos. readily accessible and easy to read ??......Are your wheels in alignment ??.....Make sure the rear No.plate has black bolts in a black area and yellow ones in a yellow area (Honest !!)......give your spokes a quick "ring" with a metal blade etc.......If you can afford it/have a spare set, then new tyres don't show any odd wear patterns ( nudge, nudge !!).......remove any heavy items as the bike will be weighed for the brake efficiency test and those rear ones can be a bit "iffy"....Take a set of spare bulbs with you and check the lights before you present the bike at the testing station (sods law that one will "pop" on your way there !!)....Does your throttle "snap" back with some free play when shut ??..... GWILLY, have you ever met the legendary POMPEY LIL ???

[Gwilly]

No Alan, Fancy i knew her mother though, Devonport Diamond Lil.. "Robust Lady"

Hey why must you go straight home if you've got MOT.. its insured already and has registration from sorn...

Or is that if it fails miserably.. Tail between the legs..

[John M]

There is nothing whatsoever in law to say that you have to take a direct route to a pre-arranged MOT test. There is in fact a stated case to say that it is reasonable to stop off at a shop on the way and presumably acceptable to go for petrol as well. This came from a case where a bloke had been prosecuted for stopping to buy a packet of fags on the way to a test.
There is also nothing to say that you need to use the nearest MOT station. The wording around this exemption is quite short, with no conditions imposed other than the test must be pre-arranged, which suggests that the law makers only intended that this exemption couldn't be used as an impromptu excuse for not having a valid MOT and weren't that bothered what you did on the way there.
Also the engine number is not part of the test and there is no legal requirement to have one. Many Japanese home market bikes of the 70's and 80's did not have engine numbers.

[Alan R]

Hi guys--------- Hello JOHN M, have been digging deep into HM Gov. sites and it looks like a typical British farce situation..Yes, you're quite right }---I could live in John 'O Groats and be tested in Lands End it would seem..( Though I think I'll be staying with my usual route !!)...That reference to Eng. and Frame Nos.. was because some testing stations have been asking for the V5c to be presented as well.Apparently a check against "ringing" etc...Just a general note on that "Pre-arranged" situation }--- Make sure you give the Reg. No over the phone when booking, just to be sure......GWILLI, JOOLS bike is still untaxed don't forget so less exposure on the roads etc ???

[Gwilly]

Ah yes, Tax.. forgot.

[Bertie the Bullet]

Hi Jools, I've been using M&Ms in Snodland for years, great bloke, he is on 01634247444.