MoT minimum requirements

MoT minimum requirements

Author
Discussion

normal bloke

Original Poster:

166 posts

186 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Any vintage bikers out there?
Just a wild stab in the dark but what are the minimum requirements for a 1960 bike with which it may obtain an MoT?
I am currently in the process of restoring an "off-road" 1960 250cc bike but want to keep it a minimalistic as possible without having to resort to aftermarket lighting systems which will detract from it's character. Can I get way without any lights at all, apart from rear brake lights? And....I've only got a (Villers) magneto generating system!
Cheers.

V8forweekends

2,481 posts

123 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=123...

How old is the bike? Might it have been made in '59?

Edited by V8forweekends on Monday 1st September 15:23

normal bloke

Original Poster:

166 posts

186 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
V8forweekends said:
Good one. Thanks

Moulder

1,463 posts

211 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Not sure if it will apply but for my trials bike it is number plate and horn required. No lights at all.

Horn is a remote reservoir air horn not connected to the electrics.

biffonracing

85 posts

151 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Unless someone knows better, there are no issues in gaining a MOT on a bike without lights

taken directly from the MOT test document available at: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/


This inspection applies to: all machines,
except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are only used during daylight hours, and
 not used at times of seriously reduced visibility

If this situation occurs the machine presenter should be issued with a VT32 (advisory notice) recording the above.
(which I assumes records the fact you have passed an MOT in this status for encounters with BiB who may not know about this.)


I know my 1929 A7 can pass a MOT without any lights, including brake, but if they are fitted they have to work.

just don't remove them after passing the MOT, otherwise you could end up like this chap (all be it he also removed the doors & a load of other stuff too)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-ord...

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
biffonracing said:
Unless someone knows better, there are no issues in gaining a MOT on a bike without lights
Yup. There are several exemptions meaning no bikes needs lights.

My bike is 1999 so I had to also remove pillion pegs, and disable switch, which to be honest I think was more down to the tester's interpretation. The insurance company needed to be informed as well (they were fine about it actually just wanted a copy of the VT32).

The police never said anything to me when they stopped me in the Highlands recently. No police ever pulled me for the year and a bit I had my lights like this. I think they know more than we give them credit sometimes.

I just rang the test centre and asked what I needed. They were all very good about it.




gareth_r

5,712 posts

236 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
biffonracing said:
...Just don't remove them after passing the MOT, otherwise you could end up like this chap (all be it he also removed the doors & a load of other stuff too)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-ord...
The article says that he was charged with "...using a vehicle when its use involved a danger of injury to any person...". In other words, sharp and lumpy bits that could injure other road users. Nothing to do with the lack of lights.



normal bloke

Original Poster:

166 posts

186 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Fellas,
The bike in question is a 1960 Greeves 250 Hawkstone(?).

It was last registered for the road in 1976 but (notorious, locally) previous owners had been playing sillybuggers with log books so when I came to get a V5C earlier this year, it turned out that the documents I had were for a totally different bike (you could get away with it in those days!).

The way I read the regs is that if (as a 1960 bike) it is present without front and rear lights, it needn't have any stoplight but if it does have front/rear light it must have at least one stoplight.

Surely I couldn't ride it to the MoT station, could I? That would be a real hoot!
Also, is a Speedo required?



Edited by normal bloke on Monday 1st September 19:28

biffonracing

85 posts

151 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
quotequote all
Yes as I understand it you do need a speedo, the normal work around for this if there isn't provision for one is to use a wireless bicycle one

However if your vehicle was first used prior to 01 October 1937 you don't need one.