MOT Failure for No. Plate on a Motorbike ?

laticsforlife

My Motorbike (scooter but need to call it motorbike for purposes of the MOT) failed it's MOT on 3 things, 2 of which I have no argument over and will sort.

The third I am puzzled over.

I bought the bike 2 years ago with an MOT, and have since MOT'd it at the same garage and it passed (the number plate also).

This year he says that as it has a 'sticker' in-between the 2 rows, it is illegal and a failure item.

It was registered before 01 September 2001 so as far as I can see, as long as the font is not dissimilar from the post 2001 law, it doesnt have to have the BSau marking nor the postcode etc of the supplier.

In actuality, the plate does have the name of the firm who sold the bike from new, with its phone number. The 'sticker' is part of the plate under the laminate, not on top.

Do the measurements on the various MOT sites refer to minimum gaps as the regulation for row spacing is 19mm, I took this to mean they couldn't be closer than this.

I know its a small thing, but I hate to spend when I don't have to, the darned bike is enough of a money pit without this irritation.

Wig

Does he mention the BSAU/ postcode and font-spacing stuff or just the 'sticker'?

scbk

The only names/logos you're allowed have to be at the bottom of the plate. Does seem like quite a small thing to pick you up on, but to him it's not worth risking his job over it. No doubt if VOSA found out he passed an ilegal plate they wouldn't be happy.


A new number plate will be £5-£10, not the end of the world

laticsforlife

6.3.1a Registration plate incorrect - how vague - it was that he said sticker verbally.

Wig

Irrespective of the age of the vehicle, you are not allowed the background to be overprinted or shadowed with text e.g. vehicle manufacturer name. This is supposed to fail the show plates with big logos on the background, to use it in your case is daft, but at the end of the day it appears whoever sold it to you, sold it with plates that can fail. I can't understand why the person who sold it to you used that plate design.

Oh and BTW, now that you have to renew your plate, you have to get one with a modern font and BSAU/postcode marks, if you don't, he could fail you again.

After the test you can put your old plate back on.

molerat

laticsforlife wrote: »

6.3.1a Registration plate incorrect - how vague - it was that he said sticker verbally.

Which is not displaying the name and postcode of the supplying outlet which is not applicable to your vehicle.

laticsforlife

I took it to another garage and asked for a pre-MOT look at my number plate and he said it was fine.

As an aside, it also failed on 1 leaking front fork, and again having spoken with biking colleagues, one said is it actually leaking or just dirty.

I cleaned them both well last night, and they sure don't look to be leaking oil to me, indeed they are upside down forks on my scooter so leaking is actually more difficult, and would only occur on the up-bounce of the fork pushing oil upwards past the seal. There is the slightest of (oil) moisture on the shiney part, and I wonder how bad it needs to be before it fails. As an advisory he said the other side had 'slight misting' which now they've been cleaned can be true for them both, certainly one isn't any worse than the other.

If I can get the tyre changed within the 7 days I might take it back and speak to him before spending any more money, as the seals and dust covers are about £16 per side plus probably a good amount of time for me to strip them out and replace them (plus new oil).

I would take it elsewhere but it's another £28 so I may as well spend the £32 on the seals and take it back to him.

Wig

A slight misting/weeping is allowed on your suspension units.

The guy I spoke to actually did say he thought your plates should pass- he said to refer your tester to the illustrated plate requirements previously issued by VOSA before 2001. but I was quoting from the manual in my previous post. Without a photo of the plate we are just guessing. I decided to tell you that the fail could be correctly issued.

Do you get a free retest within 7 days? What was wrong with your tyre? You should have got that changed before the test (assuming there is something wrong with it). Is this a moped?

If you feel strongly about it, fix the tyre, if he fails you again on the numberplate and the weeping, you can pay for an Appeal test at your local VOSA station, if you win you get your money back.

laticsforlife

The tyre is worn below 1mm. I hadn't actually noticed that in places it is slick, others it's OK.

I get a free retest within 7 days (he said), so if tyre arrives tommorow I can whip the wheel off and take it somewhere to change (guess about £5 to do this), then seek the retest.

It is a scooter; moped is a different legal thing apparantly, caused me to drive illegally when I first got it as didn't realise needed CBT due to my age (over 21), and it ISN'T classed as a moped, but a motorcycle (dillusions of grandeur!)

scbk

What bike is it? If you can, get a pilot sport as a replacement tyre, they're give great grip. They do them in most scooter sizes

laticsforlife

Gilera Runner VX125 with a 130/70/12 tyre and Pilot is what is coming off; I've had to buy a quick one with 24 hr delivery so it won't be as good.