MOT exhaust noise (non-)issue

[Baff]

I've seen quite a few threads / questions about the chances of getting HDs with aftermarket exhausts through their MOT. Quite by chance I came across the motester website, and thought it might be worth posting a couple of their Q & As here. I'd been given the same info recently by two local MOT testers, both of whom told me they'd pass a Harley with loud pipes, and one of them said "Harleys are supposed to be loud."

A part of the second answer stands out to me as being very interesting. The part about the police sending you to get your pipes checked.

Source The MOT Test and UK MOT Testing

MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST NOISE 1.

My bike exhaust silencer is an after market type which has no markings such as OEM No`s, E marks or race only. Admittedly it is slightly louder than the OEM silencer. Is this an MOT failure?

The regulations here have changed. Now, the only issue regarding the type of exhaust is that it should not contain any notice on it which indicates that it is not for road use. As far as the noise is concerned the regulations are quite wordy but boil down to the Tester being able to fail the exhaust if the noise emitted is “clearly in excess”, of what would normally be expected.

MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST NOISE 2.

Is it correct that the regulations have been relaxed on non standard systems, I read that the Tester now decides if the exhaust is too loud, how would this stand in a police check?

Yes, you are correct. As far as the exhaust is concerned the Tester can now decide whether or not the exhaust is acceptable. As far as a police check is concerned I am not in a position to assist as I do not know the rules the police apply. What I do know is that generally if the police believe a vehicle is not roadworthy they issue their own certificate and ask that the vehicle is checked for whatever items they think are of concern at an MOT Testing station. It should be noted that this is very much a police issue and actually has nothing to do with the MOT Testing Scheme and Testing Stations are not obliged to carry out the checks * and understandably charge if they do indeed check the items. The police have simply decided of their own volition to use MOT Testing Stations as the best way of checking that a vehicle’s ‘roadworthiness’ items are in acceptable condition.

[old-mo]

Interesting reading,, Thanks..