MOT tests are annual examinations required by the Ministry of Transport, designed to ensure that every vehicle is up to par in terms of roadworthiness, and safe to drive. In the UK, every car and motorbike over three years of age is legally obliged to pass an MOT test each year, in order to drive lawfully on public roads, although there are some exceptions to this.
While most standard 3 or 5 door cars will require a Class 4 MOT, there are actually many different MOT classes, to reflect the different kinds of vehicles on the road. Not sure which kind of MOT your car requires? We’ve broken down precisely what each MOT class covers in more detail in the table below, which contains information sourced from GOV.UK.
| Class | Vehicle | 1st MOT | Max. MOT Cost |
| 1 | Motorcycle (engine up to 200cc) | 3 y/o | £29.65 |
| 1 | Motorcycle with sidecar (engine up to 200cc) | 3 y/o | £37.80 |
| 2 | Motorcycle (engine over 200cc) | 3 y/o | £29.65 |
| 2 | Motorcycle with sidecar (engine over 200cc) | 3 y/o | £37.80 |
| 3 | 3-wheeled vehicles (up to 450kg unladen weight) | 3 y/o | £37.80 |
| 4 | 3-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg unladen weight) | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Cars with up to 8 p. seats | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Motor caravans | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Quad bikes | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Dual purpose vehicles | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Private hire and public service vehicles | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Ambulances and taxis | 1 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4 | Private vehicles and ambulances (9-12 p. seats) | 1 y/o | £57.30 |
| 4 | Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg gross weight) | 3 y/o | £54.85 |
| 4a | Class 4 vehicles (9-12 p. seats) & seat belt check | n/a | £64.00 |
| 5 | Private vehicles and ambulances (13-16 p. seats) | 1 y/o | £59.55 |
| 5 | Private vehicles and ambulances (16+ p. seats) | 1 y/o | £80.65 |
| 5 | Playbuses | 1 y/o | £80.65 |
| 5a | Class 5 vehicles (13-16 p. seats) with seat belt check | n/a | £80.50 |
| 5a | Class 5 vehicles (16+ p. seats) with seat belt check | n/a | £124.50 |
| 7 | Goods vehicles (over 3,000kg – 3,500kg gross weight) | 3 y/o | £58.60 |
No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, you should be able to find the correct MOT test for it in the table above, unless your car is brand new, a classic car or meets another condition for exemption. Once you’ve worked out which MOT test you require, you’ll need to make sure your vehicle is ready for its next MOT. To maximise your chances of passing, check out the ultimate MOT checklist, where we go through essential pre-checks, MOT criteria and more.
Did you know that driving a car which is deemed unroadworthy can get you a fine of up to £2,500, plus 3 penalty points on your license? If you have trouble keeping on top of your MOT tests, try our handy MOT reminder tool. We’ll notify you of your car’s upcoming MOT expiry date in plenty of time, so you can book in your next MOT test and get straight back on the road, with minimal disruption.