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MOT Tester study notes

Previous Training Years (Group A)

Topics from earlier training years: refusing a test, first-used dates, electric and hybrid vehicles, vehicles of historical interest, retests and corrosion.

What this topic covers

Topics from earlier training years: refusing a test, first-used dates, electric and hybrid vehicles, vehicles of historical interest, retests and corrosion. The full MOT Tester Annual Assessment app contains 30 questions on this topic, each referenced to its section of the DVSA manual.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

Which machines fall into test Class 1?

A. Machines up to 200cc, or up to 4kW and 45km/h ✓ correct
B. Machines up to 125cc, or up to 11kW and 45km/h
C. Machines up to 250cc, or up to 4kW and 50km/h
D. Machines up to 200cc with a sidecar attached only

Explanation: Class 1 covers motorcycles or combinations up to 200cc, and machines with not more than 4kW maximum continuous rated power and a maximum design speed up to 45km/h — categories L1, L3 and L4. Class 2 is everything else. The other capacity and power figures offered do not appear in the manual, and a sidecar does not by itself decide the class. (Introduction, section 2)

Example 2

A three-wheeled vehicle has a wheel layout of 500mm between contact-area centres. How must it be tested?

A. As a light passenger vehicle, in Class 4
B. As a motorcycle combination, in Class 2
C. As a solo motorcycle, in Class 1
D. As a tricycle, in Class 3 ✓ correct

Explanation: Where the layout is 460mm or more the wheels count separately, and a three-wheeled vehicle at 500mm must be tested as a tricycle in Class 3 — outside the group A motorcycle classes altogether. Below 460mm the two wheels would count as one and it would remain a motorcycle. (Introduction, section 2)

Example 3

A machine needs a road test, and it is of such a size that a tester with a restricted driving licence cannot legally ride it. What should you do?

A. Test it and omit the road test items
B. Refuse to test the machine
C. Decline to test the machine ✓ correct
D. Test it using a decelerometer instead

Explanation: This is one of the grounds to decline. The motorcycle manual carries two road-test decline grounds the car manual has no equivalent of: one where a restricted licence makes riding it unlawful, and one where the tester cannot safely ride the machine. Omitting road-test items is not available. (Introduction, section 4)

Example 4

A motorcycle emits substantial quantities of avoidable smoke. What should you do?

A. Decline to test the machine
B. Refuse to test the machine ✓ correct
C. Test it and fail it on exhaust emissions
D. Test it and issue an advisory on smoke

Explanation: Substantial quantities of avoidable smoke is a listed reason to refuse. Declining relates to authorisation, facilities, road-test capability and a 'not for road use' frame. Failing on emissions would record an outcome for a test that should not have proceeded. (Introduction, section 4, reason f)

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More MOT Tester study notes

Get all 30 questions on this topic in the MOT Tester Annual Assessment app.