At Delany’s, we’ve come to realise over the many years of completing MOTs on various vehicles that it’s not always understood which MOT is required for which vehicle.

Therefore, by the end of this article, we want you to feel completely clear and confident in knowing the correct MOT for you and your type of vehicle.

It’s understood in the motoring world that all vehicles fall into one of eight classes: ranging from Class 1 to Class 8. For a more in-depth look, Gov guidelines outline which class each specific vehicle type belongs to.

At JDM, we pride ourselves on being specialists in MOTs and guarantee a free re-test within 10 working days, should your car ever fail its MOT. We offer two types of MOTs: Class 4 and Class 7 tests, for a wide range of vehicles.

Class 4 Vehicle MOT Tests

This is the MOT Test we most commonly perform, as it’s required on all passenger cars, dual-purpose vehicles and vans up to 3,000DGW (design gross weight). A Class 4 vehicle MOT is a legal requirement on all vehicles three years old, or more. Another legal requirement is for you as a vehicle owner to book and complete an MOT annually. Class 4 is the only MOT class that includes multiple vehicles, such as:

• Cars (of up to 8 passenger seats)
• 3-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg of unladen weight)
• Motor caravans
• Private passenger hire vehicles and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats)
• Goods vehicles (up to 3,000KG)
• Dual purpose vehicles
• Quads (max unladen weight of 400KG) – for goods vehicles and max net power of 15KB
• Ambulances and taxis

With us, a Class 4 vehicle MOT test will cost a reduced fee of just £40.

The difference between Class 4 and Class 4a

A word of warning: not to confuse Class 4 with Class 4a. As similar as they seem, there is a distinct difference. A Class 4a MOT check (on vehicles with 9-12 passenger seats) comes with an additional seat belt installation check. This would be advised for slightly larger minibuses, carrying more passengers.

Class 7 Vehicle MOT Tests

Class 7 MOTs are usually required and carried out on commercial goods vehicles. These vehicles have a gross weight of between 3,000kg and 3,500kg. Common examples of Class 7 vehicles are large vans such as Mercedes Sprinters and larger versions of Ford Transits. The main purpose is to check whether your vehicle meets road and environment standards. Any vehicle that is 3 years old will require this type of test.

At JDM, a Class 7 MOT will cost you £58.60. Both Class 4 and Class 7 MOT tests will be completed within an hour and upon completion, one of our experts will then contact you to inform you of any discoveries. All issues, even minor, will be reported to you before any further work is carried out. You’re with us each step of the way.

Similar to the variation between Class 4 and Class 4a, Class 5 (which involve private passenger vehicles, ambulances and 13-16 passenger seats and more than 16 passenger seats), Class 5a involve the same vehicles as Class 5, but with an additional seatbelt installation check carried out.

Our conclusion

As a vehicle owner, knowing the correct MOT for your vehicle is as essential as filling up with the correct fuel. Hopefully, our handy guide has made the decision a little easier for you and removed any guesswork!

However, if this is something you still feel unsure of, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have created a designated page, devoted to MOT’s frequently asked questions. Remember, no question is ever a silly question and we’re always here to help.

To book your hassle-free MOT, contact us today. You will be able to browse a range of MOT options, for you to then choose the most suitable for your vehicle.

We look forward to ensuring your vehicle’s maintenance and safety very soon!