Testing times
As Mick Payne’s refurbishment of his outfit continues, he is about to encounter the dreaded MoT test…
If you’ve been following my ramblings, then you will know I’m trying to get my outfit ready for the Llandovery Bike Weekend. This involves the dreaded MoT test (or, as it’s known to us all, simply an ‘MoT’) and, judging from what I see on social media, quite a few people aren’t too sure what a sidecar test involves. Now, I know vehicles over 40 years old are tax and MoT-exempt, but it can’t be a bad idea to get an individual to check the machine over annually. Bearing in mind that the test only came into existence in 1960, and machines from the early 80s are now exempt, they were once deemed necessary to test when just three years old. Originally the MoT (Ministry of Transport) was known as the ‘Ten Year Test’ – and imagine how a 1950s vehicle might have deteriorated in a decade.
Back to modern times, though, and anything over three years old needs a ticket and there’s a fair number of those that fail their first examination. In 1960 the test was voluntary, but this ended in 1961 and the high failure rate caused the Government to lower the age to seven years and then, in ’67, to the current three. So how does this relate to sidecars?
Now, a sidecar is considered an accessory, but it still has a bearing on the MoT. The bike has to be tested more or less as a solo but with the chair as an extra; the definition accorded in Construction and
Use regulations is ‘a two wheeled motorcycle with a sidecar attached.’ No surprise there, then! If you fit one mid-term with your MoT it is important to have it tested as soon as it is fitted, as well as notifying your insurer. Said sidecar may only be fitted to the left-hand side of the bike unless it was registered before August 1, 1981 – that is registered in the UK, not the build date.
The most obvious addition to a solo’s test is the actual fittings; these need to be secure with no missing fixings, this includes split pins where used. This is compounded by the alignment issues, such as toe-in which shouldn’t be excessive, or indeed toe-out (Heaven forbid).
Also tested is the vertical alignment of the motorcycle to the sidecar axis, this shouldn’t cause any handling problems when ridden.
As with a solo, the suspension should operate smoothly and with no worn bearings or leaking suspension units. Once again, this will be checked for missing fixings or security devices. A sidecar does not have to have a braked wheel, but if it does it has to conform to the necessary requirements.
Of course, the sidecar must have lights wired into the bike’s electrics unless it has what is often referred to as a ‘daylight MoT.’ UK law states a white marker light to front and red to rear, plus a brake light. If the bike has indicators then they must be on the chair too, don’t forget to remove or blank off the machine’s left-hand one. Many fit a headlight on the left of the sidecar, too, but according to UK regs this has to have a light visible 80 degrees from the side.
I do hope this hasn’t been too boring, but if it clarifies the dreaded requirements then all well and good. Finally, what do you have to pay Mr Tester? Well, a motorcycle and sidecar up to 200cc costs £37.80, while one over 200cc also costs £37.80, although VOSA stipulates them as different classes. I know it makes no sense at all but the same applies to solos too which are £29.65. So, you aren’t paying over the odds to get your outfit tested and, let’s face it, it is an independent safety check after all.