Modern Vespa

I am trying to find a mot station in Manchester UK. A lot of mot places don't do class three trikes any more. If this is the trend of things to come then the trike is going.

here in Slovenia they dont even measure the exhausts, nor put it on breaking rullers.

Is MOT for motorcycles in UK an annual affair?

Here in Belgium, there is only a MOT whenever the bike changes ownership.

And the motocycle MOT is being phased out by the end of the year after a short 5 year stint. MOT stations are too busy as it is with cars and trucks.

in Italy the MOT is every 2 years

It is difficult to find class 3 MOT garages.

Did you buy it new from a dealer?

I bought my 300 from MSC in Nottingham, and took it there for its first MOT this year (they then take it somewhere else to get it done).

It's annual once the vehicle reaches 3 years old.

Crazy thing is that once a vehicle has reached 40 years old, it no longer needs an MOT

Yes, even year after 3 years.

That seems backasswards and doesn't make a lick of sense

At 40 years old vehicles are classified as Historic , so they no longer require annual road tax ( anything from €60-€600 ) or annual MOT testing. Thats why collecting vehicles over 41 years only requires insurance , for which we have specialist brokers.

But what about road safety for the owner and others?

What's to prevent some penny pinching fool from operating a rusted out death trap?

In the Netherlands, we don't have MOT for motorcycles.
The government actually seems to take a logical approach to this specific issue.
They operate on the assumption that motorcyclists are enthusiasts who ensure their bikes are well-maintained. This stance is supported by statistics showing that a motorcycle's technical condition is almost never the cause of an accident.
However, the European Union has been trying for years to foist such inspections on us anyway. I wonder how much longer this situation will last.

I have bought motorcycles in Germany. They do have an MOT test there. I have to admit that, when buying one, I always find it reassuring if it has a recent MOT.

That sounds fine to me. I have a 1973 Honda CB350F.
Back then, there were no requirements regarding braking performance, emissions, or noise.
And it will never meet current standards.
So, how would they determine where to draw the line between rejection and approval?

Yep it's fukked up alright, not only can they be death traps but they don't even pay road tax even though they kick out no end of harmful emissions.

Is MOT for electric scooters mandatory?
Otherwise, you could trade in the MP3 for something like that!

I don't know, but in the UK the m/c MOT doesn't test for emissions, but for things like steering bearings, headlight alignment etc. So I expect the electric m/cs get tested as well.