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For
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Introduction- How to use this manual
This
Manual is a detailed guide to the inspection for statutory MOT testing
of the following vehicle classes:
Class I, Solo Motor bicycles with engine size up to 200cc.
Class II, Solo motor bicycles over 200cc and all Motor Bicycles
with side cars.
Important
A motor bicycle and side car has a layout in which one of the wheeled
elements is clearly recognisable as a side car. It is acceptable
that in adapting a solo machine for use with a side car attachment
that changes to the systems eg tyres and suspension may have been
made. These are vehicles in Class II.
A motor tricycle is a three wheeled vehicle on which none of the
wheeled elements is recognisable as a side car. These vehicles are
in Class III or IV. depending on their weight.
Class I and II testing stations are not authorised to test motor
tricycles. They are therefore not covered by this manual.
Testing Personnel
The inspection will be carried out by a qualified MOT tester, nominated
for this purpose, with an assistant working under their direction.
In appropriate cases, the person submitting the Machine {’the vehicle
presenter’) is permitted to act as the assistant, if they are willing
and the nominated tester is satisfied with their competence and
that all Health and Safely requirements are met. For example, the
machine presenter will normally be capable of operating light switches
etc., but might not be able to properly push, pull or lever road
wheels etc.
Only the nominated tester signing the test documentation is empowered
to make a decision about the results of the inspection of a particular
item. This does not stop the nominated tester from asking the advice
of others.
Use of Equipment
The Vehicle Inspectorate publishes a list of equipment which it
has accepted for statutory testing of Class I and II vehicles. Only
the specified equipment from this list may be used for statutory
testing. This does not apply to general workshop equipment such
as stands, tyre pressure gauges etc.
Stripping or Dismantling
This is not permitted except for the removal of panels or covers,
designed to be easily removed without the use of tools, where it
is necessary to allow the examination of an item. Panels and covers
must be securely replaced at the end of the test. It is appreciated
that machines fitted with only a side-stand can present a problem
when trying to check the suspension correctly, particularly if the
machine is fitted with a fairing belly pan.
If you feel that you cannot properly and safely carry out the inspection
then you should refuse to test the machine, (see Introduction item
6). Alternatively, you may request the presenter to remove the belly
pan, if possible, before commencing the test, if this will allow
you to safely raise the machine.
Road Testing
The statutory test does not specifically include a road test. However,
it may be considered necessary to check brakes. steering, the effect
of wheel misalignment etc by riding the machine. If the tester considers
road testing is necessary to check the results of an inspection,
the tester must be qualified to carry out the road test, and must
be satisfied it is safe to conduct that test.
Refusal to
test
This manual does not include the reasons for refusing to test a
vehicle in the Reasons for rejection Columns. If any of the reasons
to refuse to test below apply, the test should not be started, the
presenter of the machine informed and any fee paid for the test
must be returned. It is therefore advised that ’refusal’ items are
quickly checked before starting the test proper. The reasons for
refusing to carry out the test are that:
a. the registration document
or other evidence of the date of first use is not produced when
required if it is necessary to have this information to carry out
the test satisfactorily (note -this will only normally be necessary
if the machine has a "cherished" registration mark or if the year
letter on the registration mark does not make it clear which standard
should be applied - e.g. direction indicator requirements on machines
First used after IstAugust 1986;
b. the machine is presented
in such a dirty condition that examination is unreasonably difficult:
c. the machine cannot be driven
or has insufficient fuel or oil to enable the test to be completed;
d. the tester considers that
an insecure load or other items would prevent a proper test being
carried out unless the load is secured or removed;
e. the VTS asks for the test
fee to be paid in advance and this is not done;
f. a proper examination cannot
be carried out because any cover or other device designed to be
readily opened cannot be readily opened, e.g. a seat is locked down
and lifting is required in order to inspect the structure of the
machine;
g. the condition of the machine
is such that. in the opinion of the tester a proper examination
would involve a danger of injury to any person or damage to the
vehicle or other property.
If, despite due care initially, it becomes apparent during a test
that the test cannot be completed for any one of the above reasons,
you must fail the machine because the test could not be satisfactorily
completed. Any re-test and fee must be in line with normal policy,
treating the component which could not be checked as a failure item.
Note: Decline to test a machine if:
(i) if
it is of such a size, weight or configuration that it cannot be
property or safely tested on the approved facilities.
(ii) any motor bicycle the frame
of which is stamped ’not for road use’ or words to that effect.
Inspection Procedure
The entire test must be carried out by one tester whose name is
on the list of Nominated Testers (VT26).
Inspection Manual Layout
Information
The ’information’ columns contain details a tester needs to know
that are relevant to that part of the inspection. The information
is in note form and referenced in the Method of Inspection and Reason
for Rejection columns. The notes give valuable guidance on the conduct
of the test and the scope of the various inspections.
Method of Inspection
This column describes the way that each component or system is to
be tested.
Reason for Rejection
This column describes how severe a defect must be to fail the test.
Only those reasons for rejection found here may be applied-
’First used’ dates
A machines ’first used’ date is either
(a) Its
date of manufacture, if the machine was originally used without
being registered (eg, an imported vehicle, an ex-HM Forces vehicle
etc), or
(b) In any other case, the earlier
of either
. Its date of first registration,or
. The date six months after it was manufactured
Q’ plate registered
vehicles
Q’ plate registration is issued if the machine is of ’indeterminate
age’. For MOT Testing purposes assume the machine to have been first
used on Ist January 1971.
Assessment
of component wear and deterioration
A tester is expected to use his experience and judgement in assessing
the condition of a component, as it is not practicable to lay down
limits of wear and tolerance for all components found on different
makes and model of machine. The main criteria a tester should use
when making an assessment are:
(a) whether the condition of
the component is likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of
the machine;
(b) whether the component has
clearly reached the stage when replacement, repair or adjustment
is necessary;
Disabled Rider’s
Controls
A defective disabled riders control or fitment that is a testable
item justifies failure in the normal way.
The defect description must include an explanation of the control
type or fitment and it’s function so that it is clear it applies
only to disabled rider’s equipment.
If the disabled rider’s controls or fitments are additional to and
do not adversely affect the normal motorcycle equipment they are
not testable items. Any defect to an additional control or fitment
found during the test should be reported to the vehicle presenter
Recording Defects
If a defect in a testable item is found at an inspection, the nature
of the defect must be clearly described in the reasons for failure
column of the refusal notification form VT30 (see MOT Testing Guide).
Dangerous
Defects
If. during an inspection, a defect is seen in a component, whether
or not it is a testable item, and the defect is likely, in the opinion
of the machine tester, when the machine is driven on the road, to
cause
• Danger to any person, or
• Damage to the machine, or to any other property
Details of the defect must be reported to the vehicle presenter
If a refusal notification is issued the dangerous defect must be
noted in the appropriate section of the form.
Advice on
defects
You may wish to issue ’advice’ in writing on defects, that have
not yet reached the severity to fail the test.
Special Notices (SNs) and Manual
Updates
Special Notices and replacement pages containing amendments or additions
to the Manual must be retained and acted upon.
Temporary pages may be firmly attached over each original page.
Permanent replacement pages must be inserted in the Manual and superseded
pages removed.
Each amendment to the Manual must be recorded in Appendix A.
The MOT Testing Guide
Among other things, the Guide defines the vehicle testing classes.
It explains how to complete the test documentation and gives reasons
for refusing/declining to start a test and what should be done when
a test cannot be completed.
Health and Safety
Authorised Examiners and their staff are reminded that they are
obliged to adhere to all relevant Health and Safety Legislation
while MOT testing. Advice can be obtained from your local Health
and Safety Enforcement Officer or Local Authority Environmental
Health Officers as appropriate. |
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