About Class 7 MOTs
Class 7 is the MOT for goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg design gross weight (DGW). The figure that matters is on the V5C log book, on line F.1 or F.2. Anything above 3,000kg DGW falls out of standard Class 4 and into Class 7, even if you mostly drive the van empty. Anything above 3,500kg leaves the MOT scheme entirely and is tested as a goods vehicle at a DVSA Authorised Testing Facility.
The test runs the usual MOT checks on lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, structure and emissions, with extra emphasis on the load-bearing components and the cargo space. It typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, longer than a Class 4, and the statutory fee cap is £58.60.
6,227 of the 23,000-plus stations on LocalMOT are licensed for Class 7. That is roughly one in four, and the limiting factor is rarely the tester qualification: it is the bay itself. A 3.5-tonne LWB van needs a ramp or hoist rated for the load and enough room to manoeuvre, which many smaller garages do not have. Pick a letter above, jump to one of the busier towns, or browse by region from the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Class 7 MOT?
Class 7 is the MOT for goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg design gross weight (DGW). It is more thorough than a Class 4 test because the vehicle is heavier and carries cargo, and it needs a station with a ramp or hoist rated for the load. A typical Sprinter LWB, Crafter L4, Boxer L4 or Luton conversion sits in this bracket.
How do I know whether my van is Class 4 or Class 7?
Check the V5C log book. The figure on line F.1 or F.2 is the design gross weight. If it is 3,000kg or less the van is Class 4. If it is between 3,000kg and 3,500kg the van is Class 7. Above 3,500kg you are into HGV territory and the test is run under a separate scheme, not the MOT.
Why do far fewer garages offer Class 7?
It is a capacity issue, not a certification issue. A Class 7 vehicle is heavier and longer, so the test bay needs a ramp or hoist rated for the load and enough physical room to manoeuvre. Plenty of garages that handle Class 4 simply cannot accommodate a 3.5-tonne LWB van, even though their MOT testers are qualified for it. About one in four UK stations is licensed for Class 7.
How much does a Class 7 MOT cost?
The statutory maximum is £58.60. Many garages charge less, especially independents that want the repeat business. The cap is set by law, so a station cannot lawfully go higher.
How long does a Class 7 MOT take?
Allow longer than a standard Class 4. A Class 7 test typically takes 60 to 90 minutes because the inspection covers more weight-bearing components, the load space, and goods vehicle specific items. Many garages will let you drop off in the morning and collect later in the day.
My van is 3,500kg loaded but lighter empty. Which class do I book?
Use the design gross weight from the V5C, not the unladen weight. The DGW is the figure the manufacturer (and the law) treats as the rating of the vehicle. A panel van rated at 3,500kg DGW is Class 7 even if you drive it empty.
What about over 3,500kg? Is that still an MOT?
No. Vehicles above 3,500kg DGW fall under the goods vehicle annual test, run at DVSA Authorised Testing Facilities, not at MOT stations. The test is similar in spirit but covers more, takes longer, and is booked through the DVSA online service.
Learn more
- MOT classes explained, the full breakdown of every class from 1 to 7.
- What is an MOT?, the basics of the annual roadworthiness check.
- MOT vs service, what each one checks and where they overlap.
- Browse all towns, every town in the directory, not just the Class 7 capable ones.