I overheard a conversation yesterday, the crux of which was a local motorcycle MoT tester refusing to carry out an MoT on a motorcycle with a straight through exhaust or is, IHO, ridiculously loud even with db killers fitted. It was also muted he will take and store digital images of the motorcycle “as tested”. I wonder if his stance is as a result of new DVSA guidance or he has reason to protect his tester licence Andy
The photo part is definitely part of the MOT revamp, not sure about the rest. As always I guess it's how well you know your local tester. https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2025/july/mot-test-changes/
There are EU wide regulations being implemented which state that any after market part must carry the requisite CE/TUV etc stamp ie have been tested and approved for use on a road vehicle. Whether the UK is implementing the same regulations into their testing regime, I don’t know. Here in Ireland we don’t even have an annual roadworthiness test for motorcycles, we ought to, the EU fines us for not doing so, but we don’t. Because the Govt outsources the work to a single private company for the entire country rather than use the services of local mechanics, there aren’t enough test centres or testers to deal with cars in a timely fashion and there’s a 6-9 month lead time for appointments.
A shame, if not an injustice, this hasn’t been implemented for modified cars. My particular pet hate. Andy
Where I live in Portland, the kids drag their Honda and Nissans with straight pipes… much much louder than any motorcycle going by… Even though I can hear them, I can’t blame them too bad… used to do the same with my 71 Mach 1 when I was their age… kids being kids… now I see lots of 30 something guys driving straight pipe Audi/BMW family cars with their kid seats installed… maybe a Dorset thing?? I would think with all tbe crap going on in the UK, exhaust/mufflers would be something on another days list…
Well thats the SXV fucked then... (Arrow VDB race exhaust) thats about 2ft long from the exhaust port!
Thankfully some of my bikes have historical tax and mot class, and some are pre-noise regs being incorporated on to the statute. Brap, Brap, no MOT or Tax officer, don't need them
There might be a bit of a silver lining....some months back i noticed a BMW with no rear light but, red indicators. I phone the local MOT guy, told him and he said "yeah - thatll probably come down the line soon from VOSA" so you could, legally remove the rear light and just have a couple of indicators (red and then turning off to indicate) - i could see alot of people tidying up the rear end of bikes and staying within the law...
On a motorcycle you don't need head, rear or brake lights, indicators or a speedo, as long as they are not fitted. If fitted they must work. If the vehicle is under 40 years old it would need a daytime MOT. My 67 Metisse has none.
I was told when the TVR was in for a service & Mot this week that tester was no longer willing to get decatted cars through the test. So the sticking the sniffer up a different (compliant car ) exhaust when testing appears to be getting clamped down on.
It seems crazy but true. Just back from Sligo and my elderly auntie had her car booked in for its NCT at 10.45… PM!
You're right Mr.Android. There is more resilience being placed on correct testing procedures. IMHO......good.
I think the current orange indicators are fine as they are. I like that they are not red so that they are more obvious, and the people not paying attention are less likely to miss my impending turn. One small red light on the back of a bike that now has 4 -perhaps 5- functions? Seems ill thought out. No tidying up required for me , but tbh I'm not sure what that really means.
well, you could get red/orange indicators and then remove the back light...you could for example get a CF rear end but not have to mount a light in there....this all being said im not 100% its gospel but thats what he said...
I don’t see why it wouldn’t apply to all motor vehicles. I don’t think it’s singling out motorcycles. Admittedly that article is focussed on bikes but afaik the rules apply to cars, Lorrie’s, buses etc etc, everything.
I don’t know what BMW were thinking with those new rear lights, two red lights on the indicators as tail lights that then turn orange as you indicate. I’ve followed a few and I personally think it’s dangerous, you can’t see them clearly enough.
