Motorbike MOT Check: Free MOT History by Reg
Every MOT DVSA holds for a motorbike, scooter or moped, with failures, advisories and the mileage at each test. Free, no sign-up.
What the free MOT check shows
Motorbike MOT classes and fees
| Vehicle | MOT class | First MOT | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle up to 200cc (mopeds and 125s) | 1 | At 3 years | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle over 200cc | 2 | At 3 years | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar | 1 or 2 | At 3 years | £37.80 |
| 3-wheeled vehicle up to 450kg unladen | 3 | At 3 years | £37.80 |
| 3-wheeled vehicle over 450kg unladen | 4 | At 3 years | £54.85 |
From GOV.UK MOT fees, checked 17 October 2026. Test centres can charge less but not more. Northern Ireland has its own MOT rules.
Reading a motorbike's MOT history
Advisories matter. An advisory is something the tester noticed that is not bad enough to fail yet, such as tyres or brake pads wearing. The same advisory year after year, with no fix in between, tells you what you may need to pay for soon after buying.
Look at the gaps. A bike that missed years of MOTs may have been off the road, or ridden without one. Ask the seller why.
Check the mileage line. Readings should only go up. A lower reading than the test before is worth asking about; it can be a typing mistake at the test, a replaced clock, or a sign of clocking.
MOT rules from GOV.UK getting an MOT, MOT fees and historic vehicles, checked 17 October 2026.
An MOT is not a history check
A clean MOT says the bike was roadworthy on the day. It does not say whether there is finance owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen or whether an insurer has written it off. The £4.99 motorbike history check covers those and 9 more checks, including keepers and plate changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a motorbike's MOT history?▼
Enter the registration on this page. The free report lists every MOT DVSA holds for the bike: the date, pass or fail, every failure and advisory item and the mileage recorded at the test. DVSA's history covers motorcycles tested in Great Britain since 2005 and in Northern Ireland since 2017.
When does a motorbike need its first MOT?▼
In Great Britain, by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. Northern Ireland has different rules.
What MOT class is a motorbike?▼
Class 1 for motorcycles up to 200cc, which takes in mopeds and 125cc bikes, and class 2 for motorcycles over 200cc. Motorcycles with a sidecar stay in class 1 or 2. Three-wheeled vehicles are class 3 up to 450kg unladen and class 4 above that.
How much does a motorbike MOT cost?▼
The most a test centre can charge for a motorcycle MOT is £29.65, or £37.80 with a sidecar. There is no VAT on the fee. Test centres can charge less, but not more.
How early can I MOT my motorbike?▼
Up to a month (minus a day) before the current MOT runs out, and keep the same renewal date. For example, if it runs out on 15 May, the earliest is 16 April.
Can I ride a motorbike with an expired MOT?▼
Only to a pre-arranged MOT test or to somewhere it is being repaired. Otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000, and you cannot renew the bike's tax without a valid MOT.
Do classic motorbikes need an MOT?▼
Not if the bike was built or first registered more than 40 years ago and no substantial changes have been made to it, such as replacing the chassis or engine to change the way it works. It must still be kept roadworthy.
Does the MOT history show the mileage?▼
Yes. Each test records the odometer reading, and the report puts them side by side so you can see how far the bike has gone each year and spot a reading that goes backwards, which can be a sign the clock has been changed.
Related checks
Motorbike Check
Free MOT, tax and ULEZ check by reg
Motorbike Tax Check
Tax status and 2026/27 rates by cc
Stolen Motorbike Check
Police records, frame and engine numbers
Motorbike Write-Off Check
Cat A, B, N and S explained
Scooter and Moped Check
Mopeds, 125cc and electric scooters
Mileage Check
Spot a clocked vehicle from MOT readings
Check a motorbike's MOT history
Free: every MOT, the mileage at each test, tax and ULEZ. The full history check is £4.99.