Bike MoT up 50 per cent

The cost of bike MoTs is likely to rise from August this year after complaints from dealers and lobbying from the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

The RMI says increasingly complex bikes and new elements to the test mean MoTs now take longer. The current fee is £15.55. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is proposing that rises to £23.80 – up more than 50%.

The current charges are based on a bike MoT taking an average of 24 minutes (a level set in 2000). Changes to the test since mean they now take an average of 37 minutes.

The RMI’s Frank Finch said: “The continuing evolution of the test, in combination with the growing complexity of bike construction during the last few years has meant that the reality of the test has changed.”

VOSA is also proposing to increase the cost of a duplicate motorcycle test certificate fee to £10 in line with the cost of a car MoT duplicate.

The new fees are set to take effect on Monday 1 August, 2005.