Just Got my bike an MOT, first garage would not pass it as they said the number plate was not 9x7 and the exhaust did not have a road legal stamp and head light had a small crack.

Did some investgation work and went to another garage,

Bikes before 2001 don't have to have a stamp on the exhaust it is down to the tester discertion.

Importered bikes do not have to have a full size number plate if there is no room but must have standard font. So there is no need to try and put a 9x7 plate on and cut the reflector off.

Head light can have a crack but must not affect the direction of the head light.

So i went to another Garage who loved the NC30 and said it was in could nick. AND PASSED IT.

I was amazed at how diffrent MOT stations can be!

Nice one. Well done on the research. Have you got any links to where that information could be found as it will no doubt help other out should a tester get arsey about plate sizes and things.

Info on number plates look at the section on imported bikes:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leafle ... plates.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EXHAUST SYSTEM

The decibel level will be assessed at the discretion of the tester, other checks are:

The exhaust mountings must be secure and not fouling any part of the rear suspension
The exhaust must not be holed and free from leaks from both joints and box(es)

Fuel & exhaust systems leaks - complete, secure, and not too noisy.

thats useful info on the number plate and regarding imports. A 9x7 plate will not fit above the reflector on my nc30. it would have to sit partly on top and not flat on the back plate. I bought a 8x6 and am for the MOT this week all being well. I might just take that printed info with me.
Cheers

Mine failed on friday on a sticky front break I was told to change the number plate for a standard size not because its an MOT fail but because the police are clamping down big time on none standard plates!!