Follow these MOT checks to reduce your risk of a possible motorcycle accident

Nobody likes going for an MOT only to be hit with a hefty bill and a big list of fails. This is why we have listed for you a number of important key checks that any good MOT centre will carry out on your bike to ensure it is fit for the road.

Of course it's not just about saving a few pennies in your pocket, it's about ensuring you're safe when out riding your bike and reducing the risk of suffering serious personal injuries in a possible motorcycle accident. And as far as motorcycle accident claims are concerned, it can only be a good thing too.

Don't just leave it until your MOT is due but carry out the following instructions every now and again to make certain that you and your bike are limiting your chances of being involved in a road accident.

Maintaining you motorcycle's lights
It is important that your bike lights are working correctly before you take to the road. This will allow motorists to see you clearly in their mirrors and avoid possible motorcycle accidents from occurring. They will have the secondary effect of making you less likely to become the subject of a motorcycle accident claim.

When you're first inspecting your lights, check that both the headlight and taillight are free from cracks and that their beams are shining in the right direction and at the right height.

Once this has been done, make sure your indicator lights are working and flashing at a steady rate. This is also a good time to check that your warning lights (if fitted) are operating correctly so that you're able to warn approaching motorists that you may have broken down or been involved in a road accident.

Steering checks for your motorcycle
If you ride your motorcycle on a regular basis, it is vital to ensure the steering is checked thoroughly. These small checks could prevent you from falling off your bike in an accident and suffering motorcycle injuries.

To prepare your bike for a check, you will need to firstly raise the front wheel off the ground. When this is done you should be able to move the handlebars freely from side to side without any difficulty. If the handlebar ends are able to contact the fuel tank, then this will count as a fail in your MOT test.

When the front of your bike is still raised off the ground, push and pull on the forks; any excessive movement in this area will indicate possible worn head bearings.

Inspecting your motorcycle's wheels and tyres
Tyres become worn through use and are sometimes damaged by debris found lying on the road. Damaged tyres will fail your MOT test and so it's worth carrying out a few minor checks.

Inspect alloy wheels for general wear and tear such as cracks and check spoked wheels for broken, bent or loose spokes. Tyres should also be checked for tread depth and general condition, including the side wall. Whilst you're checking the tyres, this is also a good time to make sure that the drive chain and sprockets are in good condition, well lubricated and not excessively loose.

All of these checks could prevent a possible motorcycle accident from occurring. They will have the secondary effect of making you less likely to become the subject of a motorcycle accident claim.

Ensuring your brakes work effectively
Riding your bike on the road is the last place you want to discover that your brakes have failed. To avoid risking a possible motorbike accident and suffering personal injuries, carry out the following checks to your brakes.

First and foremost, check that your brake lights come on when you apply the brakes. Also listen for any metallic sounds that could indicate the brake pad friction material has worn away. Wheels should be able to rotate freely when the brakes are freed off and shouldn't have any drag. You should also make sure the fluid level in the reservoir is correct and that there are no signs of fluid leaking from the hoses or connections.

Inspecting your motorcycle's suspension
When you bike is having a MOT, the inspector will examine both the front and rear suspension of your bike and, if either end shows signs of wear, you should have the suspension fixed as soon as possible to avoid suffering personal injuries.

When inspecting the suspension to the front of your bike, check for signs of oil leakage from the fork tube oil seals.

When checking the rear of your motorcycle, again check for oil leaks around the shock absorber. The rear swingarm and linkage bearings should also be free from play - movement could show a sign of worn bearings in the linkage or swingarm pivot.

Checks to carry out to you exhaust
The exhaust is quite easy to inspect for possible MOT failures. Firstly, check the exhaust is mounted correctly and fully supported. You should then inspect the exhaust itself and make sure it is free from holes and leaks.

Rev the engine to check the exhaust doesn't make an excessively loud noise. In the worse case scenario extreme noises could startle a nervous driver, make them lose their concentration and risk them having a possible vehicle accident.

Replacement units must have a BSAU 193 stamp but this does not apply to bikes that were registered before the 1st January 1985.

Make sure your horn can warn motorists of dangers
Last but not least, your horn is used to warn other motorists of potential dangers and could prevent you from being involved in a possible motorbike accident. Therefore, you should make sure your horn has a reasonable volume and has one long continuous tone.

How you can make a motorcycle accident claim today
A regular inspection of your motorcycle will reduce possible accidents but unfortunately not all motorcycle accidents can be avoided. If you have been involved in an accident that wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.

Our panel of personal injury solicitors have an excellent success rate and we guarantee that you will receive 100% of your motorcycle accident compensation, unlike some companies who will take up to 40% of your award.

For free information on making a no win, no fee claim, call us today on 0800 10 757 95 and we will guide you through the process of making a claim for motorcycle accident compensation.