Although there are many kinds of vehicles on the road today, there are only 6 different MOT classes in the UK’s MOT test scheme. An MOT class defines what kind of vehicle is being tested, and therefore, what testing standards need to be applied.
Not all MOT testing stations can test every class of vehicle. However, at 2U Tyres we’ve got you covered with most of the common MOT classes. So, there’s bound to be one to suit your vehicle.
Once you’ve found out what class of vehicle you have below, you can find out which of our garages in Petersfield can carry out the correct MOT test on your vehicle. Just as there are different MOT classes, there are different MOT costs involved. You can find current MOT costs on our MOT prices information page.
It can be confusing! Several criteria define MOT classes for each vehicle, these then place your vehicle in a particular legally required MOT class.
Questions such as these help to define those MOT classes:
You can find out what category of MOT class your vehicle fits into in the chart below.
| MOT Class | MOT Description | First Test Due |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 MOT Test | Motorcycles (with or without sidecars) up to 200 cc | 3 Years Old |
| Class 2 MOT Test |
3-wheeled vehicles not more than 450 kg (excluding motorcycles with sidecars). 3 wheeled vehicles more than 450 kg unladen are class 4 vehicles. Note: We do not test class 3 vehicles. |
3 Years Old |
| Class 4 MOT Test | Cars, passenger vehicles, motorhomes, private hire vehicles, motor tricycles, quadricycles and dual purpose vehicles with up to eight passenger seats. | 3 Years Old |
| Goods vehicles not exceeding 3,000 kg | 3 Years Old | |
| Taxis and ambulances with up to eight passenger seats. | 1 Year Old | |
|
Passenger vehicles, ambulances, motorhomes and dual purpose vehicles with between nine and twelve passenger seats that;
|
1 Year Old | |
| Class 4a MOT |
The class 4A test is the normal class 4 test with the addition of a check on the installation of certain seat belts. Passenger vehicles, ambulances, motor caravans and dual purpose vehicles with between nine and twelve passenger seats that:
Note: We do not test class 4a vehicles. |
1 Year Old |
| Class 5 MOT |
Private passenger vehicles, ambulances, motorhomes and dual purpose vehicles in all cases with thirteen or more passenger seats (including community and play buses, etc.) that:
|
1 Year Old |
| Class 5A MOT Test |
The class 5A test is the normal class 5 test with the addition of a check on the installation of certain seat belts. Passenger vehicles, ambulances, motor caravans and dual purpose vehicles with thirteen or more passenger seats (including community buses, etc.) that:
Note: We do not test class 5a vehicles. |
1 Year Old |
| Class 7 MOT Test |
Goods vehicles (larger vans) over 3,000 kg up to and including 3,500 kg |
3 Years Old |
The biggest single difference between class 4 MOTs and class 7 MOTs is that class 7 MOTs are for larger vans. Whereas class 4 MOTs are for cars, smaller vans, and various other vehicles as detailed in the table above.
To decide if your van, or light commercial vehicle needs a class 4, or class 7 MOT, you need to know the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of your van. You can find the GWV of your van on the chassis plate for your vehicle. You can also find it in your vehicle’s handbook.
If your van’s GVW is between 3000kg and 3500kg, it is a class 7 vehicle. If it’s below 3000kg, it needs a class 4 MOT test, which we can carry out at both of our MOT test centres in Petersfield.
There are vans that weigh more than 3500kg but these fall outside the scope of the MOT test that’s available from an independent garage like 2U Tyres. If you need an MOT for a van that weighs more than 3500kg near you, the best place to find an authorised test centre is the .gov.uk website.
The test for these HGV MOT classes and larger vans is known as the Annual Test. It’s conducted by an Authorised Test Facility (ATF) or at the DVSA’s own test stations.
Book your MOT test
Now you know what type of vehicle you have, if your vehicle has an upcoming MOT test due, get great customer service and MOT testing at your local 2U Tyres MOT centre in Petersfield.