How Much Is a Motorbike or Motorcycle MOT?

How Much Is a Motorbike MOT?

The most a garage can charge for a solo motorcycle MOT is £29.65. This is a legal maximum set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, so it is a ceiling rather than the going rate. Many garages charge less, with typical prices around £20 to £29.

A useful point for riders is that engine size does not change the maximum. A small commuter bike up to 200cc and a large tourer over 200cc share the same £29.65 cap. The only common variation is a motorcycle with a sidecar, which has a higher maximum of £37.80 because the outfit takes longer to inspect. If you want the wider picture on the annual test, our overview on What Is an MOT explains what an MOT is for.

Like the car MOT fee, the motorcycle cap has stayed low for many years, so in real terms a bike test is one of the cheaper running costs of riding. It is a small annual outlay for the reassurance that your machine meets the legal safety standard.

Maximum Motorcycle MOT Fees

The table below shows the legal maximum fee for the main motorcycle types. These are ceilings, so the price you actually pay at a local garage is often lower.

As with cars, the motorcycle fee is capped for consumer protection. Because the test is a legal requirement rather than an optional job, the government sets a maximum so riders are not charged over the odds for something they must have. That ceiling has held low for many years, which is why a bike MOT remains one of the smaller costs of keeping a machine on the road. A garage pricing below the cap is doing nothing unusual, since the ceiling leaves plenty of room to compete on price.

What a Motorcycle MOT Checks

A motorcycle MOT is shorter than a car test because a bike has fewer systems, yet it still covers everything that affects safety on the road. The tester works through a set list so the same items are checked at every approved centre in the country.

The inspection looks at the brakes, tyres and wheels, steering and suspension, lights and indicators, the horn, the exhaust and its emissions, the frame and the registration plate. As with a car, the test does not assess the general mechanical health of the engine or gearbox, so it is a safety and roadworthiness check rather than a service. Keeping the chain, brakes and tyres in good order between tests is the best way to sail through each year.

When Your Motorcycle Needs an MOT

The rules for when a bike needs testing follow its age in the same way as a car. A brand new motorcycle is exempt for its first few years, then joins the annual cycle for the rest of its life on the road.

The riding rules and standards that sit around the test are covered in our guide on Motorcycle MOT Rules, which is worth reading alongside this cost page.

Which Motorcycles Are MOT Exempt

A small number of machines do not need an annual MOT. Motorcycles first used before 1960 are generally exempt, as long as they have not been substantially changed from their original specification. The owner declares this status rather than paying for a test though the bike must still be kept roadworthy at all times.

Being exempt from the test is not the same as being exempt from safety. A classic machine still has to be safe to ride, so many owners choose to have it inspected voluntarily for peace of mind. Our guide on Classic Cars and MOT explains the wider rules on older vehicles and exemption.

How to Keep Your Bike MOT Cost Down

There are a few sensible ways to keep the cost down without cutting corners. Booking a service and MOT together often reduces the combined price. A quick pre-test check of lights, tyres and chain can prevent a needless fail and the cost of a retest. Our guide on How Much Does an MOT Cost covers the same money saving ideas across all vehicle types.

Plan Your Motorcycle MOT

This guide is part of our full MOT Guides hub, where the testing, cost and rules articles sit together so you can move to the exact detail you need next. When it is time to book, our team offers full MOT testing and repairs from our centre in Ely. You may also find it useful to read Motorcycle MOT Rules, How Much Does an MOT Cost and Why MOT Prices Vary.

Common Questions