MOT Requirements

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johnnyboxer
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MOT Requirements

Post by johnnyboxer »

big al wrote:No I dont measures the specific font with a ruler , but through many years of experience I know whether a numbe plate
Or font is of the correct size (thumbs) l
Do you fail a bike with a small number plate then?
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Mikekitts81
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by Mikekitts81 »

Scott_rider wrote:I always tape over all of my lights when I take an enduro bike for an MOT, then I ask for a Daylight Only MOT.

If you've got indicators fitted they must work, as must the lights if they are not taped over. Trying to get an enduro bike lights to work and aim properly is a pain, so it's not worth the bother in my opinion.

I also always go to an off-road bike shop that has MOT facilities as a lot of road bike shops don't understand the above and will refuse/fail it...
Surprised at that I went for m.o.t at my local place and he said the light on bike was and enduro so he's not gonna check it and just passes it cause he said even if it's correct now you gonna go out hit a few bumps and rocks and the lights gonna be out so no point in checking it ... also let me go with brake light as the front light connector was snapped he held it on and said it works while holding it on so get it fixed and I'll pass it ... also said my steering wasn't going g full turn and was a few mms out eva side and restricted from getting a full lock but said he could see that it was my hand guards stopping it and said it was only a few mm so he would pass it ... think it all depends on were you go ...

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mikeyboy
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by mikeyboy »

big al wrote: All bikes need a chain gaurd.
if the bike has a dual seat then rear footpegs must be fitted, if removed then its a fail.
Not my understanding or experience,
Chain guard only needed if pillion footrests fitted.
If no pillion footrests,it's not a dual seat.
Could be wrong of course but none of my chain driven bikes have guards fitted or rear footrests and have passed mots for numerous years
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beddowsm
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by beddowsm »

So called up my local MOT station. Questioned the fact the bike doesn't have any indicators. He read his check sheet and said if there is an indicator switch then it needs indicators. I said I used the switch only for controlling the hi low beam. He said it was irrelevant. If theres an indicator switch then there has to be indicators.

So I have a few choices.

1) Fit indicators. Not exactly sure where as the bikes been modified and no real suitable place. So I don't think this is a good option.

2) I asked if I could remove the switch completely. But this would mean I don't have a hi low beam switch...so it would still fail. I said Id disconnect all lights and tape up all lights. He said this would be fine but if got caught with lights on a bike that had a "daytime MOT" then its illegal and my bike would be crushed if the police caught me.

3) His suggestion was to buy a generic switch and wire it up so the hi low beam works and not bother with the indicators.

What a complete faff. I was hoping to get it MOT'd tomorrow so I can use next weekend. That's out of the window now as I don't have time to sort.

Ah, one more question. Do I need a horn? If I just wire in a new hi low switch then I wont have a horn!
beddowsm
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by beddowsm »

Just re reading Big Al's post. Ignore my above about the horn. So I need a horn and light switch. Or buy an aftermarket switch without an indicator button. Or just fit indicators. Ill have a good think over the weekend. Need to see if I even have indicator wires on the bike!
AndyB
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by AndyB »

I'd take the bike for a test somewhere else. The other option is to remove the part of the switch assembly that actually comes into contact with your thumb and tell the tester quite clearly that it doesn't have a switch.

Regarding the horn, I'm sure it has to have one and there are defined standards regarding minimum noise level because every year my favourite tester used to tell me to fit the original KTM one rather than the £10 eBay special I insisted on using.

Another possible solution to the horn/light switch is to go and let the bike deliberately fail on lack of one or the other functions then go for a retest within the time limits where they only check on fail points but change the switch over to the other function?
cowling
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by cowling »

What a fook on Mike,

Just turn up in your skeleton outfit
With the luminous tool, blind them.
No need for any lights.

Talking of tools, +1 for going to
A different test station, one with
A bit more appreciation for off
Road style bikes.
micksea
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by micksea »

Yup,open up the switch and remove the indicator button.I would chance it with a cheap 10 quid horn
AndyB
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by AndyB »

You could always try to persuade the tester that the bike was never fitted with indicators and doesn't have the wiring or holes to mount them but you fitted a different switch after damaging the original?

I've got to be honest and say that the tester sounds like he's a bit of a w****r and rather than waste time I'd go somewhere else.
micksea
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Re: MOT Requirements

Post by micksea »

Isn't there something in the exceptions about a single seat and no rear footpegs means it's mainly off road use and it doesn't need indicators,I know this covers the chain guard thing but I had a discussion with my mot tester about indicators and he checked the exceptionsame and decided it was ok
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