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Motorcycle MOT Cost 2026: £29.65 Max (DVSA Classes 1 + 2)
The DVSA statutory maximum for a motorcycle MOT is £29.65 for both Class 1 (up to 200cc) and Class 2 (over 200cc). Motorcycle with a sidecar falls into Class 3 at £37.80. Most independent garages charge £20-29 for a solo bike test.
How much is a bike MOT?
A bike MOT costs up to £29.65 by law (the DVSA maximum for any motorcycle, moped or scooter), but most garages charge £20-29 for a solo motorbike. The price is the same whether the bike is a 50cc moped, a 125cc learner machine or a 1,000cc sportsbike: engine size changes the DVSA class label (Class 1 up to 200cc, Class 2 over 200cc) but not the fee. A motorbike with a sidecar is tested as Class 3 and costs up to £37.80. The MOT fee has been frozen since 2010 and the test takes 30-40 minutes.
Source: DVSA maximum MOT test fees (gov.uk). Verified 25 June 2026.
Class 1
£29.65
Up to 200cc
Class 2
£29.65
Over 200cc
Class 3 sidecar
£37.80
Bike + sidecar
Typical charge
£20-29
Solo bike independent
DVSA Motorcycle Classes
| Class | Description | Max fee |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Motorcycle up to 200cc (mopeds, scooters, learner-legal) | £29.65 |
| Class 2 | Motorcycle over 200cc (standard motorcycles) | £29.65 |
| Class 3 | 3-wheeled vehicle up to 450kg (including motorcycle with sidecar) | £37.80 |
When Your Motorcycle First Needs an MOT
A motorcycle needs its first MOT 3 years after the date of first registration shown on the V5C. From that point on, an annual MOT is required for every Class 1 or Class 2 vehicle on the road. Bikes more than 40 years old qualify for the same historic vehicle MOT exemption that applies to cars, provided no substantial modification has been made; see /mot-exemption for the rules and the V112 process.
What the DVSA Motorcycle MOT Checks
| Area | What is inspected |
|---|---|
| Lights | Headlight (dipped + main beam), tail light, brake light, indicators, number plate light, reflectors |
| Steering and suspension | Front fork operation, headstock bearings, swingarm, rear shock, wheel bearings |
| Brakes | Front and rear brake performance, lever and pedal travel, fluid level, pad wear |
| Tyres | Tread depth (1.0mm UK minimum for motorcycles), sidewall condition, valve security, tyre type compatibility |
| Wheels and frame | Wheel security, frame condition, structural corrosion, registration plate format and security |
| Emissions | Visible exhaust smoke; emission limits for bikes first registered after 1 July 1999 |
| Horn | Horn operation; mirrors fitted and adjustable |
| Drive chain | Chain tension and condition, sprocket wear, chain guard fitment |
Common Motorcycle MOT Failures
Motorcycle MOT failures cluster differently from cars. The most common categories are:
- Lights. Bulbs and indicator function. Easy DIY fix; a bulb is typically £5-12.
- Brakes. Pad wear and lever travel. Pads are £20-50 per disc; full pad and disc replacement runs £80-200.
- Tyres. Tread below 1.0mm or sidewall damage. Front and rear motorcycle tyres typically £80-180 fitted.
- Chain and sprockets. Excessive chain slack or worn sprockets are an MOT failure. Chain and sprocket kit £80-150 fitted.
- Headstock bearings. Play in the steering. Garage replacement £100-200.
- Number plate format. Non-standard fonts and styling fail; this is a quick fix with a replacement plate at £15-25.
Motorcycle MOT Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a motorcycle MOT in 2026?
The DVSA statutory maximum for a motorcycle MOT in 2026 is £29.65, the same for Class 1 (up to 200cc) and Class 2 (over 200cc). Most independent garages charge £20-29 for a solo bike. A motorcycle with a sidecar moves into Class 3 at £37.80. The cap has been frozen since 2010.
How much is an MOT for a 125cc motorbike?
A 125cc motorbike is a Class 1 machine (up to 200cc), so its MOT is capped at the standard £29.65 DVSA maximum, with most garages charging £20-29. A 125cc learner bike costs exactly the same to MOT as any other solo motorcycle; the 200cc Class 1 / Class 2 boundary only changes the class label, not the price.
How much is a scooter or moped MOT?
A scooter or moped is tested as a Class 1 motorcycle, so the MOT is capped at £29.65 and typically costs £20-29 at an independent garage. Mopeds and scooters need their first MOT three years after first registration, the same as any other motorcycle. There is no cheaper MOT class for small-capacity machines.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 for a motorcycle MOT?
Engine displacement sets the split: Class 1 is a motorcycle up to 200cc (mopeds, scooters, learner-legal machines) and Class 2 is over 200cc. Both classes cost the same £29.65 maximum and the inspection itself is identical between them.
Does a motorcycle with a sidecar cost more to MOT?
Yes. A motorcycle and sidecar combination is tested as Class 3 (3-wheeled vehicle up to 450kg), which carries a higher statutory maximum of £37.80 rather than the £29.65 solo-bike cap.
When does a motorcycle need its first MOT?
A motorcycle needs its first MOT three years after the date of first registration shown on the V5C, then an annual MOT every year after that for any Class 1 or Class 2 machine used on the road.
What is the tyre tread limit for a motorcycle MOT?
The legal minimum tread depth for motorcycle tyres is 1.0mm, lower than the 1.6mm minimum that applies to cars. Sidewall damage and incorrect tyre type are also MOT failures.
Are classic motorcycles exempt from the MOT?
Motorcycles more than 40 years old qualify for the same historic vehicle MOT exemption that applies to cars, provided no substantial modification has been made. The keeper declares the exemption using the V112 process; the bike must still be roadworthy.
Want the full DVSA fee schedule?
Cars, vans, motorhomes, public service vehicles, and 3-wheelers all sit in different DVSA classes with different statutory caps.
See All DVSA MOT Fees