Call us on 01664 49 44 44
MOT Sections
Lights And Signals
MOT checks for lights and signals on motorcycles are divided into seven sections. Please click on a link below to skip to the section of interest.
front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings
Front and Rear Position Lamps on a Motorcycle
note: the front position light, or sidelight, is considered separate from the motorcycle’s headlight and at least 50% of all light sources within a lamp must function. If lamps are obscured by other parts of the bike they will fail.
- The front light must emit a white light unless it is within a yellow headlamp and the rear must always be red
- Both lights must illuminate immediately once the switch is pressed, be securely mounted and not flicker when tapped
- The switch must also be securely mounted and again, tapping shouldn’t affect the lights
- One switch must operate both lights
Daylight MOT
If a motorbike has no lights at all, or they are taped, painted or permanently disconnected so as to emit no light whatsoever you can still get an MOT pass but you will receive an advisory note stating that the bike should only be used during the hours of daylight and not during times of seriously reduced visibility.
Fog Lights
The motorcycle MOT does not cover rear fog lights or amber lights within the indicator lens of your bike.
Motorcycle Headlamps
- Your motorbike’s headlamp must emit either yellow or white light
- It must light immediately the switch is pressed
- It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp or the horn
- It must not flicker when tapped or when the switch is tapped
- Both headlight and switch must be securely attached to the motorcycle.
Twin headlights
Only one or both headlamps need to illuminate for either dipped or main beam and they must be mounted one on top of the other or symmetrically and no more than 200mm apart.
Mopeds
For the purposes of the MOT mopeds are only required to have a functioning dipped beam.
Pre-1931 Motorcycles
If your bike was built before 1 January 1931 it doesn’t need a headlight at all but if there is one it must function correctly.
Motorcycle Stop Lamps
- Your motorbike’s stop lamp must emit only a steady red light
- It must light immediately once the switch(es) is pressed and switch off when released
- It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp
- It must be securely attached to the bike and not flicker when tapped
- Both brakes must operate the stop lamp unless the the was manufactured with only one switch
Slow Vehicles & Mopeds
Bikes which cannot exceed 25mph do not have to have a stop lamp fitted nor do mopeds which were first registered before 1 April 1986 but if fitted they must function correctly.
Rear Reflectors on Motorcycles
- Your bike must be fitted with one unobscured red reflector
- It must be securely fitted and reflect squarely to the rear
- It must be positioned along the motorcycles longitudinal centre line
Extra Reflectors and Tape
Only one reflector is required for the MOT but your bike will not fail for having more. Unfortunately reflective tape is not considered satisfactory.
Motorcycle Indicators
- Indicators must be fitted to a motorcycle and emit only orange light
- They must flash on and off, not just dim and brighten
- They must flash between 60 and 120 times per minute
- They must be visible when riding or have a functioning idiot light
- They must be securely fitted and so must the switch
- They must not be adversely affected by the operation of another lamp or the horn
Motorcycles Registered Pre-1986
Any motorcycle first registered before 1st August 1986 does not need indicators to pass an MOT
Slow and Off-Road Vehicles
Bikes which cannot exceed 30mph or off-road bikes designed to carry just the rider do not need indicators but if fitted they must function correctly.
Motorcycle Headlamp Aim
note: a specialist piece of equipment is needed to correctly check the aim of your motorbikes headlight but if you follow the guidelines below we would be happy to make minor adjustments if necessary free of charge.
- A motorcycle headlight should point directly forward and slightly downwards
- The dipped beam must kick-up to the offside of the bike
Audible Warnings
- Your bike must be fitted with a working continuous tone horn or horns
- It must be loud enough to be heard by other road users
- It must not make a harsh or grating noise
- It must be easily operable whilst riding
front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings
Hi, I’ve bought a hardtail project and it has no indicators or wiring in the loom for indicators. Do I need to fit some or should it pass an MOT without them?
Thanks in advance!!
The only way you can get an MOT pass without indicators is if the logbook states the bike was registered before 01/08/1986 or it’s restricted to less than 30mph. Alternatively you could opt for a daytime-only MOT but that would mean no lights at all, just a working continuous tone horn, and you wouldn’t be able to ride it at night.
I am just going through the registration process for an imported VN1600. Currently the front indicators are continuously on as driving lights but flash as normal when indicating. Is this a fail?
Thanks.
The running lights in the indicators are fine as long as they don’t impair the function of the actual driving lights when the indicator is being used. The difference in the two bulbs needs to be clearly visible.
Hi there,
Really useful sight. Thanks for the info so far! I’m looking at changing the headlight on my 97 bandit 1200. It has an aftermafket polisport unit on it at the moment installed by the previous owner and it’s a bit rubbish!
Having trawled through a fair amount of info so far, I am still struggling to understand the legality of HID kits and LEDs. From what I gather here, as long as the beam shape is flat, not too high and not too blue then it’s legal? I’ve read that for HID kits to be legal, a self levelling system needs to be in place. Is this the case?
What I would like is a cluster of led units.. One bright main/dipped beam in the middle and then some dimmer accent spots as running lights. These would be situated irregularly around the main headlamp unit at say, 12 o’clock and 7 o’clock. Would this get laughed out of a test centre?
Hi there, L.E.D’s themselves are not a reason for failure, the failure will likely come from incorrect/non-existent beam pattern, since the Headlight is the only light requiring a pattern, using L.E.D’s for the side lights and/or spot lights is O.K, extra spots are not classed as a testable item. (They could still fail if they’re blue tho) Currently the self leveling aspect of HID lights is a civil offence (not covered by the M.O.T but still illegal if missing) that doesn’t mean VOSA won’t eventually incorporate it into the test. Hope this helps FTMC
Hello I was wondering if you could help please, can you tell me if my bike will pass the mot with the following problems fzr600r 1995
1.fork seals leakingl but covered up with neoprene gaitors
2 no speedo
3 I have two lights on the back one is a brake light one is a tail light
chain has some rust marks inbetween the links
4 pasenger section of subframe unbolted to make single seater
5 rear shock covered with neoprene cover
6 there are no dash lights
sorry for the questions
cheers
Hi there, no need to apologise! Questions are what we are here for :-).
1. Fork seals leaking would cause a fail, however we are not aloud to remove the gaitors to check so providing there is no oil dribbling down the fork legs/on the caliper and/or disk then we can’t fail what we can’t see. (my advise is to replace them)
2.The speedometer isn’t covered in an M.O.T test however it is an endorsable civil offence.
3. Providing AT LEAST 1 tail and 1 brake light is working then that would be o.k.
Ensure chain isn’t too loose, rust doesn’t matter
4. Providing the pillion pegs are also removed then a single seat is fine.
5. Same allies to the rear shock as with front – any visable oil leaking out the gaitor will be a problem.
6. The only dash light mentioned in the M.O.T Manual is for the indicators – this is a requirement ONLY if the indicators are not visable from a normal riding position.
Hope this helps, any other questions feel free to ask. FTMC
Hi I have yamaha dragstar and put blue l e d s under both sides on the bottom of the frame, they are on a switch,to use in the dark are they legal.and 2 spots on the front which are ringed with blue l e ds round the outside of the spots which come on with the engine running, the spots are on a switch.if either are not legal,fuse out not working would this affect mot.
Hi there, If your not an emergency service then any display of blue light is illegal. I would leave the fuse out for M.O.T as if they can be switched on and seen working then that would cause a fail. In the interest of staying legal outside of the M.O.T i would remove them completely or replace with white lights. FTMC
Hi, I hve just brought a moto cross bike that has been made road legal,
It has come with a new MOT on it but as no lights so only day use,
But NO brake light ? Is not having a brake light legal ?
Thanks Andrew
That is fine for a “daytime” M.O.T. FTMC
Are the pushbike type digital speedometers legal on a motorcycle? i have seen a few enduro type bikes with them
Heya, the speedometer isn’t covered on an M.O.T, as to whether this is o.k on the road i am unsure about. I can’t see it being a problem however do not take my word for this, it may be worth asking a traffic cop about this (i have done this a number of times myself for non-m.o.t related questions and they generally know there stuff). FTMC
Hi I got a 50 cc moped my high beam dashboard light strays on will it pass the mot like that thanks
There isn’t anything in the manual regarding dash lights so that should be an advisory, the only mention i can find is about the indicator dash light – which needs to operating, and only if the indicators are not visible from the seated position. FTMC
Hi. Hot a 50 cc moped will it fail a mot if the main bream light on he dashboard is not working
Hi there, the dashboard lights not working do not constitute a failure, however it should be something that is advised on the M.O.T. FTMC
Hi, I’m planning to relocate my ignition and kill switch down on the right hand side of my bike and the start button to ignition current position. Would this be considered as legal? My main concern is the kill switch as people have told me it has to be on the right bar, but I never use it and want to clear my bars as much as possible. Thanks
Hi there, there is nothing mentioned in the M.O.T manual to sate that a kill switch should be a specific location, or even fitted in the first place. Hope this helps FTMC
Hi. Im building a custom bobber its a 93 vt600 and iv rebuilt the loom without indicators, there are no switches, relays or lights fitted. Theres no wiring for the indicators to be mounted on. Will it pass mot without indicators if iv taken measures to remove the whole system? Many thanks, Mark
Hiya, without any lights at all and the relevant lenses masked off it will be classed as a “daytime M.O.T”, which is effectively a normal M.O.T with an advisory stating that it is not to be ridden at night or times of reduced visibility. If this isn’t your intention then im afraid all lights, including indicators will need to be fitted and working as the cut off year for indicators not being statutory is 1986. Hope this helps. FTMC
Hi, I have a 2002 yamaha r6 and 1 of the headlight lenses are broken so obviously needs to be replaced for mot. Because they are quite pricey to get new from a genuine yamaha or motorcycle shop I have looked at getting a new headlight unit from ebay and amazon which are a lot cheaper but mainly all imported from America and Hong Kong. Do you know if they can be used in the UK? And/Or will they cause the lights to aim the wrong way as if you were driving on the other side of the road. Thanks
Hi there, without seeing them fitted and checking on the beam tester i wouldn’t be able to give a definate answer. It is a risk that being American it would kick up to the wrong side. My suggestion is to ask whoever you decide to buy it off whether it is legal for the U.K roads, that way if it isn’t then you will be able to get refunded based on incorrect information. Simply being E-Marked would be assurance enough as Europe also drives on the other side of the road. Hope this helps FTMC
Hi there i have purchased a universal dash head light from bike it and fittied a side light to it would pass a mot with it on both the lights illuminate as the same time for both dip and main beam
hi there, if both main and dip are permanently on together then this would not pass, they would need to operate individualy to pass. FTMC
Hi, Im thinking about replacing my rer reflector on my VFR800 for an LED Reflector. Exact same size as a standard motorcycle reflector but it also contains approx 12 LEDs that are constantly lit up when lights are on. It also lights up more LEDs when you brake. Will this pass its MOT?
Hi there, it really depends whether the reflector is being Completely replaced, rear reflectors are a requirement so replacing it with a stop/tail light would cause it to fail. Reflectors do not require electrical power so are a safety aspect when you don’t have lights on or for example you have broken down! Hope this helps FTMC
realy usefull web site, thanks.
Is there a minimum wattage requirement for headlight main beam ,dip beam and side lights?
There is no stated number however, the brightness of the headlamps is left to the testers discretion, so if the tester believes them to be “ineffective” then it could still fail. FTMC
Hi there,
Im thinking of making up a new headlight for my 125, I want to fit a small headlight into a flat piece of plastic which will pivot for adjusting the dip. I’ve found a uk road legal light to fit, they sell 3 individual units for side light, dip beam and main beam. Do I need all 3 lights to pass an MOT? As they are £50 each and to be honest I could live without a side light and main beam. I think you’ve given me all the information I need for the correct spacing but if you can see any floors to my idea please let me know. Thanks, Lloyd
Hi there, if fitted from new then it will need both hi and low beam. A side light is not a requirement and should be advised on an mot if it isn’t there/not working. One issue i can see you possibly having is the height of the headlamp aim. Your local mot station should be able to assist you with adjusting this. FTMC
Hi, I have a Sinnis Eagle 125 Scoot. The rear light is legal at best, the lense is very thin and the reflector covers the legal requirements, but only just.
As I use my scoot all year, what I would like to do is completely remove the exsisting fitting and replace it. As there is no compatible replacement (apart from maybe the Sinnis Matrix II) I am thinking of using an LED unit to replace the old unit. This would ease the load on the electrical system, and give me some scope for front fog lamps. What are the legal aspects of this modification. The fitting I was considering is on the link below.
Thanks. Graham http://www.getgeared.co.uk/LOUIS_LED_Red_Metal_Rear_Motorcycle_Light
Hiya, Without seeing the finished unit it would be hard to say whether it would be suitable for the mot. It seems in theory to be O.K. based on the link you have provided. FTMC
Hi and thanks for the reply.
I was thinking of removing the existing reflector from the fitted unit and replacing it with the LED unit shown. this would keep the scooters original lines/looks, and would keep the rear light at the same angles. the original lens is just a clear red cover with no prism effect within the lens, the reflector does all the work so to speak.
Graham.
sounds like you will be fine then! 🙂
Hi there, firstly – great site.
I have a twin LED brake / indicator light on the rear of my bike. Could you please let me know if these are still legal as my local shop has told me that ‘the lights are too close together to tell which indicator is flashing’.
Thanks in advance.
Hi there, if the integral stop/tail/indicator is alternating between indicator and stop/tail then that is a failure (most of these types are this setup) There are some combined units that do not alternate between the two, they have a seperate section of Led’s dedicated to the indicators, these are O.K. If yours is the failure type then simply cutting the indicator feed to the stop/tail and using the stalk indicators will be fine. Hope this helps. FTMC
Hi Tony brilliant helpful site, My son has a Rieju Rs2Matrix 50cc as do some of his mates. It is a later one with tail/brake light L.E.Ds and no seperate number plate light. They all seem the same with no light showing downward.
Is this a failure and can you please advise.
Many thanks tony
Hi there, for a 50cc it is not obligatory and they come fitted on 125’s, however not having one/not working in either case doesn’t constitute a failure. FTMC
Hi there will my 125 pass its mot without the rev counter working
Hiya, the Rev counter is not part of the M.O.T so that will not cause it to fail. FTMC
Hi, I’m thinking of buying a 1933 AJS 250cc vintage motorcycle but there are no lights fitted is it ROAD LEGAL????
Regards Mike
Hi there, the fact it has no lights would just means that it won’t be legal to ride at nighttime or times of reduced visibility. The M.O.T will show an advisory stating this AKA a daytime M.O.T. Hope this helps FTMC
Hi, I am restoring a 1978 yamaha xs 250, I have purchased a new headlamp it does not have a side light in it, Can you tell me is this an mot failiure ?? I have been looking on various sites etc some people say no side light is required ?? Can you help ??
Kevin
The sidelight isn’t a requirement, most good M.O.T stations should be putting it on an advisory. FTMC