Operating a reliable and efficient MOT testing station for Motorcycle MOT testing requires the right equipment, facilities and training to ensure compliance with industry regulations. A crucial aspect of any MOT testing centre is of course the MOT bay, where the actual testing and inspection of vehicles take place.
We look at the garage equipment you need to ensure your garage business remains compliant and so that you and your mechanic staff are able to perform Class 1 & Class 2 MOT tests efficiently and safely.
What vehicles are covered by a Class 1 & Class 2 MOT Bay?
This is generally referred to as a motorcycle MOT Bay, but can also be used for a motorcycle and sidecar, with engine size up to 200cc, so, for example, learner-legal motorcycles of 125cc would need at least a Class 1 MOT Bay for MOT testing these.
As shown below, Class I and Class II MOT Bays cover the vast majority of 2-wheel motorcycles on UK roads today.
| Vehicle | Vehicle class | Age first MOT needed (years) |
| Motorcycle (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 |
| Motorcycle (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 |
For anything larger than a motorcycle MOT, for anything with 3 or 4 wheels, up to a goods vehicle, you will likely need either a Class 4 MOT Bay or Class 7 MOT Bay.
What Garage Equipment is required for Class 1 & 2 MOT Bays?
To carry out MOT tests on motorcycles in the UK, you need to have an approved Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle M.O.T. Bay.
The inspection process and rules for motorcycle, scooter, moped and motorcycle combination (class 1 and 2 vehicles) MOT tests can be found in the DVSA “MOT Inspection Manual for Motorcycles and Sidecars“. It includes requirements for equipment, premises, and personnel.
Equipment requirements and recommendations for Class 1 and Class 2 motorcycle MOT testing bays include
- A motorcycle scissor lift (this is a recommendation but not a requirement for a motorcycle MOT bay)
- Brake testing equipment such as a class I & II roller brake tester
- Headlight testing equipment
MOT testing premises also require
- Proper lighting
- Ample ventilation
- Sufficient space for the testing area, and surrounding each piece of MOT testing equipment
MOT testing personnel requirements include
- A qualified tester with the necessary AEDM certification and up-to-date training or annual MOT assessment.
Other Equipment for Motorcycle Garages
- Motorcycle Tyre Changer (recommended but not a Class 1 & 2 MOT Bay requirement)
- Motorcycle Wheel Balancer (recommended but not a Class 1 & 2 MOT Bay requirement)
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle Scissor Lift
A motorcycle scissor lift is used to easily and safely raise a motorcycle off the ground for maintenance or storage. These motorcycle lifts are typically made of steel and powered by air or hydraulic cylinders.
Motorcycle lifts, sometimes called motorcycle lift tables or ramps, come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the type, engine size and weight of the motorcycle you intend to work on.
Due to their minimal footprint, motorcycle scissor lifts take up minimal floor space when not in use. Furthermore, they provide a safe and secure platform for working on motorcycles, allowing you to focus on the task at hand without worrying about stability or balance. Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic, MOT testing station or a home motorcycle enthusiast, a motorcycle scissor lift is an investment that can greatly enhance your motorcycle maintenance experience.
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle Roller Brake Tester
A motorcycle roller brake tester is used to test the brakes on each wheel of a motorcycle to the standards set by DVSA. They will check that the braking ability of the motorcycle is sufficient to slow and bring the motorcycle to a safe stop.
These roller brake testers usually have a built-in weighing scale so that the device knows when the motorcycle is driven on to the rollers, and when it has been removed, to prevent the rollers from spinning when unsafe to do so, and some are also remote-controlled for added safety.
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle Headlight Tester
Motorcycle headlight beam testers are used to test the intensity, quality and angle of the light produced by motorcycle headlights.
They are also used to test the shape, size, and colour of the light produced by the motorcycle headlights, and to ensure the beam complies with the DVSA MOT testing requirements ensuring that the lighting output is uniform and does not cause glare. Headlight beam testers have become a standard industry instrument, and car headlight testers can usually be used for class 1 & 2 motorcycle MOT testing also.
Class 1 & 2 MOT Tester Training
Depending on your role within a motorcycle MOT testing station you will require different levels of MOT training.
- Authorised Examiner Designated Manager (AEDM) Training: This can be either the business owner or employee if you have multiple sites, and this person can optionally also be the MOT tester
- MOT Tester Training: An MOT Tester can be either the business owner or an employee, and this person can also be an AEDM
- MOT Annual Assessment Training: If you’re already an MOT tester, you must complete training and pass an annual MOT tester assessment between April and March every year
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle Tyre Changer
Although not a DVSA requirement for MOT Testing, motorcycle tyre changers allow for quick and easy replacement of motorcycle tyres, which can make tyre changing such a quick and easy process when being done as part of the work necessary to pass a motorcycle through an MOT test. Motorcycle tyre changers come in different types and sizes, ranging from manual models to fully automated machines. They are designed to handle a wide range of motorcycle tyres, from small scooter tyres to large touring bike tyres. Some models feature advanced technology, such as a pneumatic bead breaker and tyre press, which make the tyre-changing process even faster and more efficient.
They assist the tyre fitter in securely holding the motorcycle wheel, usually by way of a clamp, such that either manual or automated tools can be used to level the tyre off the rim, and subsequently do the reverse to put a new or repaired tyre back onto the wheel rim. With automated motorcycle tyre changers, they will also rotate the tyre during the removal and re-application process of the tyre.
Most of the tyre changers sold by Concept Garage Equipment can also be used for motorcycle tyre changing, often with the simple addition of a tyre changer motorcycle adaptor which fits onto the clamping jaws of the tyre-changing machine allowing you to easily fit tyres onto Motorcycle wheels by propping up the wheel and increasing the clamping size.
Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle Wheel Balancer
Motorcycle wheel balancers are the unsung heroes of the biking world. Again not a DVSA requirement for MOT Testing, but these compact, often portable machines can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring a smooth and safe ride.
The motorcycle wheel balancer is used to spin each motorcycle wheel to assess the weight of the wheel of the motorcycle with the tyre installed to check for uneven weight distribution across the wheel’s circumference.
The tyre fitter would use the machine to identify the lightest point on the tyre’s rotation and apply small metal weights to the tyre’s rim to neutralise the weight differences and cause an even weight across the whole wheel circumference.
Most of the wheel balancers sold by Concept Garage Equipment can also be used for motorcycle wheel balancing, though due to the difference in both the size of the wheel rim, as well as the tyre size and shape difference, this will usually need a motorcycle adapter to ensure that the motorcycle tyre fits correctly and centrally on the car tyre changer, therefore converting this into a motorcycle tyre changer.
Also, you must ensure that the wheel balancer that you intend to use for motorcycle wheel balancing has the correct software to balance this size and type of tyre, so check with your garage equipment supplier before making a purchase on this basis.
What are the Class 1 & 2 MOT bay dimensions?
Motorcycle bays have a specific set of minimum dimensions to ensure that there is ample room to test the brakes, check the headlight beam, and to fully inspect the motorcycle as part of the Class 1 & 2 MOT test, these minimum dimensions are as follows:
- Motorcycle level inspection area 3700 x 3200
- Motorcycle brake tester standing area 4600 x 1200 to be level to within + or – 12mm
- Headlamp aim test standing area for class 1 @ 2 2500 x 2000 to be level to within + or – 6mm
- Headlamp tester rails are to be recessed and levelled to within + or – 2mm
Help with your Class 1 & 2 Motorcycle MOT Bay
If you are looking to set up a Class 1 & 2 MOT Bay for motorcycles, or upgrading an existing Class 4 or Class 7 MOT Bay to include motorcycle MOT testing and need some information, helpful free advice or additional garage or motorcycle MOT equipment give Concept Garage Equipment a call, we would love to help you get your motorcycle MOT Bay set up and paying for itself as soon as possible.
We can offer you advice over the phone at 0113 469 0572, we have Class 1 & 2 MOT equipment for sale online and over the phone, including delivery, installation and staff training in the correct use of the MOT Bay or garage equipment and can offer full project management of your MOT Bay build, installation and training, we can remove all your headaches along the way.
Call us today on 0113 469 0572 or use the website contact form today, we are here to help.