How long does a motorcycle helmet last?
We found nothing in the helmet law for England, Wales and Scotland that sets a lifespan for a motorcycle helmet, and SHARP says it isn't aware of independent tests of how long one lasts. Here's what SHARP, and one helmet maker whose site allows it, say about when to replace one. Every point is numbered to its source.
At a glance
- We found nothing in the law in Great Britain that sets an age limit or expiry date for a helmet.[1][2][3]
- SHARP's general advice is to plan to replace your helmet every five years, or sooner. Shoei recommends replacing one after about 5 years of normal use, care and storage.[4][5]
- SHARP says a helmet that has fallen onto a hard surface should be replaced as soon as possible.[4]
- SHARP advises buying a new helmet every time, as you can't know a second-hand one's history.[6]
What the law says
We found nothing in the law in Great Britain that sets an age limit or expiry date for a helmet.[1][2][3]
How long, in SHARP's words
SHARP's general advice is to plan to replace your helmet every five years, or sooner, and it says helmets deteriorate with age whether they're used or not.[4]
More detail (4 points)
- SHARP: "We are not aware of independent tests to say how long a helmet should last, but the helmet designers and helmet testers agree that the best general advice is to plan to replace your helmet every five years, or sooner."[4]
- SHARP's helmet care page: "A motorcycle helmet generally has a life of around five years; three years if used regularly."[7]
- SHARP reports "the consensus in the industry is to recommend replacing a helmet after 5 years, regardless of whether it has been used or not", and that helmet makers recommend replacing one after 3 to 5 years.[8][4]
- Why: SHARP says helmets deteriorate with age regardless of use, the plastics degrade with time or extremes of heat or cold, and the lining compresses over time, making the fit looser.[4][8]
What a maker says
Shoei recommends replacing a helmet after about 5 years of normal use, care and storage, and its visor after 5 years at the latest.[5]
More detail (1 point)
- Shoei: "SHOEI recommends replacing the helmet after about 5 years of normal use, care and storage", as the protective effect of the EPS inner shell "decreases over the years". It says to replace the visor after 5 years at the latest.[5]
Check the date of manufacture
SHARP says the date of manufacture is marked on all new helmets sold legally in the UK, and to check it when buying.[4][8]
More detail (3 points)
- SHARP says the date of manufacture is marked on all new helmets sold legally in the UK: normally on the outside, on a label on the chin strap, or on a sticker inside, under the lining.[4]
- When buying, SHARP says to "watch out for the date of manufacture, as every year a helmet sits on a shelf in a shop matters".[8]
- The UN regulation requires the year of production to be marked on the helmet (paragraph 4.1.1).[9]
After a drop or a crash
SHARP says a helmet that has fallen onto a hard surface should be replaced as soon as possible; Shoei says a helmet must always be replaced after a fall or accident, though a drop from a low height usually damages only the paintwork or attachments.[4][5]
More detail (2 points)
- SHARP: "A helmet that rolls off a sofa and onto a carpet is likely to be ok. A helmet that falls off the seat of your bike and hits the pavement is not likely to be ok." Its advice is that a helmet that has fallen onto a hard surface "should be replaced as soon as possible".[4]
- Shoei: "After a fall or accident, a motorcycle helmet must always be replaced, even if only slight or no external traces are visible." It adds that a fall from a low height usually damages only the paintwork or attachments, and that a helmet "is constructed to absorb a single impact".[5]
Second-hand and old helmets
SHARP advises buying a new helmet rather than a second-hand one, and asks people not to sell or give away an old one.[6][4]
More detail (3 points)
- SHARP says you can't know a second-hand helmet's history ("Has it been dropped? Where has it been stored? How old is it?") and advises buying a new helmet every time.[6]
- SHARP asks people not to pass an old helmet on, sell it or give it to a charity shop, and says there is no process for recycling helmets in the UK.[4]
- SHARP suggests storing a helmet where it won't be dropped or knocked, never on its crown or near a source of heat.[7]
Sources
- [1] legislation.gov.uk: The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998, regulation 4, checked 10 Oct 2026
- [2] legislation.gov.uk: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 16, checked 10 Oct 2026
- [3] GOV.UK: Motorcycle helmets and safety equipment, checked 10 Oct 2026
- [4] SHARP: When to replace a motorbike helmet (FAQs), checked 10 Oct 2026
- [5] Shoei Europe: FAQ, checked 10 Oct 2026
- [6] SHARP: Buying a new helmet (FAQs), checked 10 Oct 2026
- [7] SHARP: Helmet care, checked 10 Oct 2026
- [8] SHARP: ECE R22-06: what you need to know about the new helmet standard (4 Sep 2024), checked 10 Oct 2026
- [9] UN Regulation No. 22, Revision 5 (UNECE, 24 August 2021), E/ECE/324/Rev.1/Add.21/Rev.5: the 06 series text, checked 11 Oct 2026
GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and SHARP content is published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes are exact; other points are summaries of the source. Each source shows the date we last checked it.
Safety ratings and test results: SHARP, Department for Transport. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Helmet Scout isn’t connected to or endorsed by SHARP or the Department for Transport.