Modern Vespa

My GT200 is now running and I'd like to tax it and MOT it.

I can't get road tax unless I have MOT.
I can't get to MOT place (legally) unless I have road tax.
Is it catch 22?

Also is there a quick way of checking the life in your belt without removing half the engine? - mines shagged but I'd like to get a guess at whether I'll make it to the MOT station and back.

Mike

No. As long as you have pre-booked an appointment at the test centre, you are allowed to ride it there. That's difficult. If there is a lot of fluff and stingy stuff coming out of the rear lower hole in the case, then the belt is indeed shagged.

No sure and quick way to check. Visible signs of damage are a good clue. Without removing the belt, you can measure the thickness and compare to the specs in the workshop manual. I'd recommend taking a variety of measurements at different points along the belt. Still, that wouldn't expose cracks or other indications that the belt is ready to snap. Also, if you have reached (or exceeded) the recommended mileage, then that's an indication.

If it was me, I would change the belt if I wanted to keep the scooter and it was due for a change anyways.

I found a little access hole on the same side as these pictures by the back wheel - difficult to describe but if you see the little poached egg tray (6 vent holes) then it's under that near the 6 o'clock position. I'm pretty sure you can feel the belt there - mine feels ok with no fluffing.

I'm not sure if I'm sounding very technical here - I guess I need more mechanical nouns.

If you don't know how many miles the current belt has done it's well worth opening up the transmission case to actually look at it properly.

No fluff means you have at least a few hundred miles left in it, at the worst, so it should get to the MOT and back.