Unsure whether you should schedule a class 5 MOT (Ministry of Transport) test or a class 3?
If you’re feeling confused by the various MOT test classes and what they mean, the team of professionals at ART Garage Crewe can help.
To help you determine the MOT class of your vehicle, we explain the different MOT classes in the UK and the factors that distinguish them, as well as which MOT class both a lorry and a car fall under.
What are the MOT classes?
An MOT class is used to define the type of testing standards that should be used to test a particular type of vehicle. However, as there are eight different MOT classes in the UK, how can you tell which one is applicable to your vehicle?
If you’re looking for an MOT class check, we can help. To ensure you identify the right MOT class for your vehicle, you’ll need to know both the type of vehicle you have as well as it’s weight and engine size.
Class 1
Both motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) with an engine size up to 200cc are class one vehicles.
Class 2
Similar to class one, but differing when it comes to engine size, class two vehicles include motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) with an engine size over 200cc.
Class 3
There is just one type of vehicle in class three – three-wheeled vehicles up to 450kg in unladen weight (the vehicle’s weight without carrying passengers, goods, or other items).
Class 4
MOT class four includes many more vehicles than MOT classes one, two, and three.
Included in this class is 3-wheeled vehicles over 450kg unladen weight, cars with up to 8 passenger seats, motor caravans, and quads with a maximum unladen weight 400kg – for goods vehicles 550kg and maximum net power of 15kw.
It also includes dual purpose vehicles, private hire and public service vehicles with up to 8 seats), ambulances and taxis, private passenger vehicles and ambulances with anywhere between 9 to 12 passenger seats), and goods vehicles with up to 3,000kg design gross weight.
Class 4a
Class 4a is reserved solely for class 4 vehicles with 9 to 12 passenger seats with a seat belt installation check.
Class 5
Playbuses as well as private passenger vehicles and ambulances with either 13 to 16 passenger seats or more than 16 passenger seats fall under the class 5 MOT category.
Class 5a
Class 5a cover class 5 MOT vehicles with 13 to 16 passenger seats or more than 16 passenger seats with a seatbelt installation check.
Class 7
Goods vehicles over 3,000kg and up to 3,500kg design gross weight fall under MOT class 7.
What class of MOT is a car?
As per the various MOT test classes explained above, a typical car falls under either MOT class 3, 4, or 4a, depending on the vehicle’s weight and number of passenger seats, as well as whether it’s a three-wheeled vehicle.
A class 4 MOT tends be the most common for cars in the UK.
What is the MOT class for a lorry?
According to the MOT class government guidance, lorries fall under class 7 as this covers commercial goods vehicles that carry between 3,000kg and 3,500kg in weight.
What difference does the MOT class make?
So, why is it important to understand MOT test classes and the differences between them? Well, not only is there a maximum MOT test price difference between the MOT classes, but the age at which a vehicle requires its first MOT also differs depending on its class.
For example, while a class 4 ambulance or taxi has a maximum MOT test fee of £54.85 and its first MOT is required at one year, a class 2 standard motorcycle with an engine size above 200cc has a maximum MOT test fee of £29.65 and requires its first MOT after three years.
As a result, knowing your vehicle class can help you to budget accordingly for future MOT tests and ensure your vehicle receives its first MOT test at the right time.
How does the MOT class affect the price of the test?
While MOT test centres have the freedom to set their own prices, there is a maximum price for each MOT class test as stipulated by the UK government. Below, we list the maximum MOT test fees for each of the different MOT classes.
Class 1
The maximum MOT test fee for motorcycles with an engine size up to 200cc is £29.65, while the price for those with a sidecar is slightly higher at £37.80.
Class 2
Similar to the maximum MOT test cost for class 1 vehicles, the price also increases depending on whether the motorcycle with an engine size over 200cc has a sidecar. Those without have a limit of £29.65, while those with a sidecar have a limit of £37.80.
Class 3
All vehicles in this class have a maximum MOT test fee of £37.80.
Class 4
Every vehicle in this class has a maximum MOT test cost of £54.85, apart from the fee for private passenger vehicles and ambulances with 9 to 12 passenger seats which is set at £57.30.
Class 4a
The maximum MOT test fee for all vehicles in this class is £64.
Class 5
All vehicles in this class have a maximum MOT test price of £80.65, except for private passenger vehicles and ambulances with 13 to 16 passenger seats which is more affordable at £59.55.
Class 5a
For vehicles in this class with 13 to 16 passenger seats, the maximum MOT test fee is set at £80.50, while the cost for those with more than 16 passenger seats is £124.50.
Class 7
Every class 7 vehicle has a maximum MOT test price of £58.60.
Schedule your next MOT at ART Garage Crewe
Regardless of the MOT class of your vehicle, it’s crucial that you book your vehicle in for the relevant MOT test before your current MOT certificate expires.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that not all MOT testing centres can test every class of vehicle, so it’s crucial that you check which tests they offer first.
Luckily, the friendly and qualified team of mechanics at ART Garage Crewe offer comprehensive MOT tests for a wide range of vehicles – all for the great price you expect from your local garage.
No matter the type, make, or model of your vehicle, our professional team has extensive experience with testing, repairing, and servicing everything from motorcycles and cars to vans and more.
This means if the MOT identifies the necessary repairs or replacements of any parts on your vehicle, you can rest assured that we’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible using our high-end diagnostic equipment and genuine OEM parts.
If you’d like to find out more about the MOT services and prices at ART Garage Crewe or you have another question related to MOTs, please feel free to give us a call today on 0127 021 4445. Alternatively, you can also book your MOT using our handy online contact form.
