A motorcycle MOT is due by the third anniversary of registration and costs up to £29.65, or £37.80 with a sidecar. Tyres need at least 1.0mm of tread across three-quarters of the tread width; below that is a dangerous defect.
Checked 23 October 2026 against the DVSA MOT inspection manual
- Maximum fee: £29.65
- With sidecar: £37.80
- Tyre tread: 1.0mm, three-quarters width
- First MOT: 3 years
Classes, fees and timing
Motorcycle MOT tests fall into two classes. Class 1 covers motorcycles up to 200cc, while class 2 covers motorcycles over 200cc. Both classes have a maximum MOT fee of £29.65, or £37.80 if the motorcycle has a sidecar. No VAT is charged on the MOT fee. The class depends on engine size rather than the type of motorcycle, so a small machine and a larger one are tested under different classes but at the same maximum fee.
A motorcycle must have its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. After that, tests are due annually. An MOT can be carried out up to a month minus a day before the current certificate runs out and still keep the same renewal date. For example, if the MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest test that preserves the renewal date is 16 April.
Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The fee limits and class rules apply to standard motorcycle MOT tests, and the sidecar rate applies where a sidecar is fitted. Timing the test within the permitted window keeps the existing renewal date rather than creating a new one.
What is tested
The DVSA motorcycle inspection manual sets out the areas examined during an MOT for motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and combinations in classes 1 and 2. Testers work through identification, brakes, steering, lamps and electrical equipment, wheels, tyres and suspension, structure and attachments, audible warning, and exhaust noise. Each area has its own inspection criteria within the manual.
Identification checks confirm the machine matches its recorded details. Brakes, steering, wheels, tyres and suspension are assessed for condition and correct operation. Lamps and electrical equipment, the audible warning and exhaust noise are also examined, along with structure and attachments such as the frame and any fitted components. These checks form the core of the class 1 and 2 inspection.
The MOT does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. Those components fall outside the scope of the inspection manual, so their condition is not assessed during the test. The examination is limited to the listed areas, and a pass or fail relates only to those items. Riders should note this distinction when preparing a machine for inspection.
Motorcycle tyre tread
Motorcycle tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1.0mm across a continuous band covering at least three-quarters of the tread breadth, all the way round the tyre. This is the minimum legal standard checked during the MOT test. A tyre that fails to meet this requirement is recorded as a dangerous defect, which affects the test result and the vehicle's permitted use on the road.
Motorcycles of 50cc or less are treated differently. They do not need to meet the 1.0mm figure, but they must show a visible tread pattern around the full circumference and across the whole breadth of the tyre. This exception applies only to machines in that engine capacity class, and the visible pattern requirement still applies in full.
The tread rules sit alongside the other tyre checks made during the test, including condition and suitability. Inspectors assess tread depth against the 1.0mm band and confirm the continuous coverage required. Where the standard is not met, the dangerous defect classification applies, and the tyre must be replaced before the motorcycle can be considered roadworthy under the MOT scheme.
Motorcycle retests
Motorcycle retests follow the same broad principle as car retests, but the list of items eligible for a free next-working-day retest differs. For cars, wheels and tyres appear on that list. For motorcycles, wheels and tyres are excluded. This means a motorcycle failing the test on a wheel or tyre issue does not qualify for the free next-working-day retest on that basis.
The exclusion applies specifically to wheels and tyres. Other defects recorded during the motorcycle test are treated according to the standard retest arrangements, with the free next-working-day option available where the rules allow. The distinction matters because a failure linked to wheel or tyre condition falls outside the free retest provision that applies to cars.
Riders whose motorcycle fails on wheels or tyres therefore face the standard retest process rather than the free next-working-day route. The exclusion is a deliberate difference between the car and motorcycle schemes, reflecting the separate rules governing motorcycle MOT retests. It applies regardless of whether the defect is a worn tyre, a damaged wheel or another issue falling within those two categories.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum MOT fee for a motorcycle?
Class 1 covers motorcycles up to 200cc and class 2 covers motorcycles over 200cc. Both have a maximum MOT fee of £29.65, or £37.80 with a sidecar. No VAT is charged on the fee.
When does a motorcycle need its first MOT?
A motorcycle must have its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. An MOT can be done up to a month minus a day before it runs out and keep the same renewal date. If it runs out on 15 May, the earliest such test is 16 April.
What is the penalty for driving without a valid MOT?
Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The offence applies to motorcycles as to other vehicles.
What tread depth do motorcycle tyres need for the MOT?
Motorcycle tyres need a tread depth of at least 1.0mm across a continuous band covering at least three-quarters of the tread breadth, all the way round. Failing this is a dangerous defect. Motorcycles of 50cc or less do not need 1mm but must show a visible tread pattern around the full circumference and across the whole breadth.
What areas are tested in a motorcycle MOT?
The tested areas are identification, brakes, steering, lamps and electrical equipment, wheels, tyres and suspension, structure and attachments, audible warning, and exhaust noise. The MOT does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. The DVSA motorcycle inspection manual covers motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and combinations in classes 1 and 2.
Part of the MOT guide series
MOT check: the full guide › MOT by vehicle type
