Class 4 covers cars and small vans up to 3,000 kg. Class 7 covers larger vans and light goods vehicles between 3,001 kg and 3,500 kg. Both are tested annually, both follow the same DVSA inspection manual, and the differences come down to vehicle weight, what gets stressed under load, and the maximum test fee.
If you drive a Ford Focus or a Transit Custom, you need a Class 4. If you drive a long-wheelbase Transit, a Sprinter or a Crafter, you almost certainly need a Class 7. The V5C tells you which – check the revenue weight or gross vehicle weight field.
Wheelbase Garage is a DVSA-approved MOT centre in Burgess Hill testing both Class 4 and Class 7 vehicles.
| Class 4 | Class 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Cars, small vans, taxis (up to 8 passenger seats) | Larger vans, light goods vehicles |
| Weight (DGW) | Up to 3,000 kg | 3,001 – 3,500 kg |
| Examples | Ford Focus, Transit Custom, VW Caddy, Vauxhall Combo | Long-wheelbase Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter, Iveco Daily |
| Test frequency | Annual | Annual |
| Max DVSA fee | £54.85 | £58.60 |
| First MOT due | 3 years from registration | 3 years from registration |
What’s the difference between a Class 4 and Class 7 MOT?
Weight is the difference. Class 4 stops at 3,000 kg design gross weight. Class 7 picks up from 3,001 kg and runs to 3,500 kg. Above 3,500 kg you’re into HGV territory, which isn’t an MOT at all – it’s the annual goods vehicle test administered by DVSA at separate testing stations.
The inspection items themselves are very similar. Brakes, lights, steering, suspension, tyres, emissions, the body, the chassis, seatbelts, the screen, washers, the registration plate. What changes is the context: a Class 7 van is heavier, carries more weight, and stresses brake and suspension components harder. Tyre load ratings matter more. Headlamp aim shifts under load. Corrosion on a chassis carrying 3.5 tonnes is a bigger structural concern than corrosion on a Fiesta.
Class 7 testing also requires a slightly bigger ramp and a brake tester rated for the heavier axle weights, which is why not every garage holds Class 7 authorisation.
Which MOT class does my vehicle need?
Check two numbers on your V5C:
- Number of passenger seats (including the driver). More than 8 seats and you’re out of Class 4 entirely – that’s Class 5 territory (large passenger vehicles).
- Revenue weight or gross vehicle weight. Up to 3,000 kg = Class 4. 3,001 to 3,500 kg = Class 7. Over 3,500 kg = HGV annual test.
Some examples that catch people out:
- A short-wheelbase Ford Transit (often around 2,800 kg DGW) is Class 4.
- A long-wheelbase or Luton-bodied Transit at 3,500 kg DGW is Class 7.
- A Sprinter 313 is usually Class 7.
- A panel-van conversion to a motorhome that’s stayed under 3,500 kg can be Class 4 even if it looks commercial.
- A pickup like a Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger is generally Class 4 because most variants are plated under 3,000 kg.
For the van-specific breakdown, see our MOT for 3.5-tonne vans guide.
How often is a Class 7 MOT?
Annual. Once a year, the same as Class 4. There is no DVSA requirement for 6-monthly Class 7 MOTs.
The 6-month myth comes from confusion with three other things:
- HGV annual tests for vehicles over 3,500 kg, which some operators voluntarily supplement with 6-week or 6-monthly safety inspections under their Operator’s Licence.
- Taxi licensing in some local council areas, where private hire and hackney carriage vehicles are required to pass a 6-monthly council inspection on top of the annual MOT.
- Operator-managed preventative maintenance schedules on commercial fleets, which are internal, not statutory.
A standard 3.5-tonne van being driven for personal or general business use needs one Class 7 MOT a year. The first MOT is due three years after the vehicle’s first registration date.
What does a Class 7 MOT cost in 2026?
The DVSA sets a maximum test fee. Garages can charge less, but not more.
- Class 4 maximum fee: £54.85
- Class 7 maximum fee: £58.60
The Class 7 fee is higher because of the heavier-duty equipment required. Many garages, including Wheelbase, run promotional MOT pricing around servicing or pre-MOT checks – it’s worth asking when you book.
What gets checked differently on a Class 7?
The checklist is essentially the same, but a few areas get more attention:
- Brakes. Class 7 brake testing uses a roller brake tester rated for the higher axle loads. Brake imbalance limits are the same, but brake-effort thresholds scale to vehicle weight.
- Suspension. Heavy vans carry their stress on rear leaf springs or coils. Sag, broken leaves and worn bushes show up faster.
- Tyres. Load index matters. A Class 7 van fitted with under-rated tyres is a fail. Pressures are checked against the door-pillar or chassis plate, not the car-style sticker.
- Headlamp aim. Tested with the van empty, but heavy commercials drift more under load – if your headlights are aimed too high empty, they’ll dazzle when loaded.
- Body and chassis corrosion. A heavier vehicle puts more stress on structural members. Corrosion within 30 cm of a load-bearing point fails the test.
Where can I get a Class 7 MOT in Burgess Hill?
Wheelbase Garage runs Class 4 and Class 7 MOTs from our Burgess Hill workshop, covering Mid Sussex – Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Haywards Heath and the surrounding villages. We can fit pre-MOT checks before the test if you’d like to flag any likely issues first.
To book your Class 4 or Class 7 MOT, get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Class 7 MOT every 6 months?
No. Class 7 MOTs are annual. The 6-monthly figure usually refers to HGV operator inspections (vehicles over 3,500 kg) or council taxi inspections, not the standard MOT. A 3.5-tonne van needs one Class 7 MOT a year, with the first due three years after first registration.
Can a Class 4 garage test a Class 7 van?
No. The garage has to be DVSA-authorised for Class 7 specifically, with the right ramp and brake tester rated for axle loads up to 3,500 kg. Plenty of garages hold Class 4 only. Wheelbase Garage is authorised for both. If you’re unsure, check the garage’s MOT class authorisation before booking.
What is the difference between gross vehicle weight and design gross weight?
For MOT classification, they’re effectively the same number on a UK V5C – the maximum the vehicle is plated to weigh, fully loaded. It’s stamped on the manufacturer’s plate (usually on a door pillar or under the bonnet) and shown on the V5C. Don’t confuse it with kerb weight (the empty weight) or payload (the difference between the two).