Almost all vehicles on the road are required to have an MOT test once a year, but with such a wide range of vehicles currently driving around, a blanket one-size-fits-all category is incredibly difficult to administer. As such, the government has categorised each vehicle into one of eight different MOT Classes.
What are MOT classes?
MOT classes are a set of designations coming from the DVLA to identify which type of test they need to be put through before they can be deemed as roadworthy for the next 12 months, ranging from motorcycles up to heavy goods vehicles.
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Why are MOTs split into classes?
The main basis of all MOT tests are similar in that they check a number of safety features across all vehicles on the roads, however some vehicles do require more in-depth checks with more specialist testers. Some MOT test centres have been found to be carrying out tests for vehicles they are not qualified to test – with testers only being qualified to carry out Class 3 or 5 tests once they have completed their qualifications for Class 4 & 7 testing, as well as the DVSA MOT demonstration test.
If you are searching for a Class 3 or 7 MOT, then it is always important to check to ensure that the test centre you are visiting is approved to test the vehicle you are bringing in.
What MOT class is my vehicle?
The majority of vehicles on the road fit into Class 4, however it is easy to work out what MOT class your vehicle fits into as long as you know its type, its weight and its engine size. Once you have worked out which class you fit into, you’ll be able to see if you need to visit a specialist test centre or not.
| Vehicle Type | Vehicle Class | Age first MOT needed (years) | Maximum MOT fee |
| Motorcycle (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 | £37.80 |
| Motorcycle (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 | £37.80 |
| 3-wheeled vehicles (up to 450kg unladen weight) | 3 | 3 | £37.80 |
| 3-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg unladen weight) | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Cars (up to passenger seats) | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Motor caravans | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Quads (max unladen weight 400kg – for goods vehicles 550kg and max net power of 15kw) | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Dual purpose vehicles | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats) | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Ambulances and taxis | 4 | 1 | £54.85 |
| Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (9 to 12 passenger seats) | 4 | 1 | £57.30 |
| Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg design gross weight) | 4 | 3 | £54.85 |
| Class 4 vehicles (9 to 12 passenger seats) with a seat belt installation check | 4a | n/a | £64 |
| Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (13 to 16 passenger seats) | 5 | 1 | £59.55 |
| Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (more than 16 passenger seats) | 5 | 1 | £80.65 |
| Playbuses | 5 | 1 | £80.65 |
| Class 5 vehicles (13 to 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check | 5a | n/a | £80.50 |
| Class 5 vehicles (more than 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check | 5a | n/a | £124.50 |
| Goods vehicles (over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight) | 7 | 3 | £58.60 |
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