What Is a Class 4 MOT - Money Expert

As a vehicle owner, you're probably familiar with the term "MOT". MOT stands for Ministry of Transport test and is an annual inspection of your vehicle, which is required by law. An MOT checks whether or not a vehicle meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards set by the government, which covers key components like brakes, lights, tyres, and emissions. In order to drive legally on UK roads, you must have a valid MOT certificate.

There are several MOT classes, and the type of vehicle you drive determines which MOT class your vehicle falls into. Class 4 MOTs are the most common, as they apply to the majority of everyday cars we see on the road. Let's take a closer look at what a Class 4 MOT involves and how to increase your chances of passing.

In This Guide:

What are the most common vehicles in Class 4?
What does a Class 4 MOT test cover?
How often is a Class 4 MOT required?
What happens if I don’t have a valid MOT?
What happens if my vehicle fails a Class 4 MOT test?
How can I increase my chances of passing my MOT first time?
What are the other MOT classes?
Final thoughts

What are the most common vehicles in Class 4?

A Class 4 MOT test applies to the majority of everyday vehicles. It covers vehicles with up to eight passenger seats, including:

Standard vehicles
Taxis
Private hire vehicles
Ambulances
Motorhomes
Campervans
Most vans
Smaller commercial vehicles (up to 3,000kg design gross weight)

What does a Class 4 MOT test cover?

A Class 4 MOT test ensures that cars and smaller vehicles over three years old meet current safety and emissions standards. It involves a thorough inspection of key components to confirm everything is functioning correctly and safely. MOT test centres will check the following:

Brakes
Lights
Tyres and wheels
Seat belts
Suspension and shock absorbers
Steering
Windscreen
Wipers and screen wash
Exhaust system and an emissions test
Mirrors
Horn
Body structure
Dashboard warning lights

How often is a Class 4 MOT required?

A Class 4 MOT test is required every 12 months for vehicles over three years old. If you've purchased a new car, you won’t need an MOT until three years from its registration date. After that, an annual MOT becomes mandatory. Crucially, you must renew your MOT before your previous certificate expires, otherwise you will no longer be driving legally.

While most vehicles require an MOT, some are exempt. These include:

New vehicles under three years old.
Classic cars or vehicles that are over 40 years old and have not been substantially modified. Owners must declare this exemption when taxing the vehicle.
Tractors that are not used commercially on public roads.
Goods vehicles powered by electricity and registered before 1 March 2015.

Remember that even if your vehicle is exempt, it must still be kept in a roadworthy condition.

What happens if I don’t have a valid MOT?

Unless you're travelling to a pre-booked MOT appointment, it's illegal to drive on UK roads without a valid MOT test certificate. Driving without an MOT could mean your vehicle isn't legally roadworthy, which in turn means putting yourself and other motorists at risk. There are many legal implications for not possessing a valid MOT, including:

A fine of up to £1,000
If your vehicle is in a dangerous condition, this fine could rise to £2,500, and you can receive three penalty points or even a temporary driving ban
It could invalidate your insurance, which can have serious legal and financial consequences if you have an accident
Additional penalties for failing to renew your road tax (you can't do this without a valid MOT)

What happens if my vehicle fails a Class 4 MOT test?

If your vehicle fails its MOT, the result will fall into one of these categories:

Dangerous: Your car is not roadworthy, and it is illegal to drive it until repairs and a retest have been completed
Major: A major fault has been found, and your car has failed. You can still drive the vehicle if the fault is not dangerous and your previous certificate is still valid
Minor: Your car has passed, but there may be one or more faults that need attention

If your car fails, then you can often have the repairs completed and your car retested at the same garage. Many garages offer free or discounted tests within a certain timeframe after an MOT failure.

How can I increase my chances of passing my MOT first time?

Consider these tips for passing your MOT test the first time.

Conduct regular maintenance
Check that all lights are working properly
Keep tyres in good condition
Test your brakes
Top up fluids like oil, screen wash, and coolant
Look after your number plates
Check your seatbelts
Don't ignore dashboard lights

What are the other MOT classes?

Want to know where other vehicles fall in MOT classes? Check out the table below:

MOT Class	Vehicle Type	Example
Class 1	Motorbikes up to 200cc.	Small motorcycles, scooters.
Class 2	Motorbikes over 200cc.	Large motorcyles, motorcyles with sidecars.
Class 3	Vehicles with 3 wheels that weight up to 450kg unladen weight.	Lightweight trikes, small 3-wheeled vehicles.
Class 4	Cars, motor caravans, ambulances, and taxis (up to 8 seats).	Private passenger vehicles and ambulances. Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats).
Class 4a (PSVs)	Minibus, motor caravans, or dual-purpose vehicles, with 9 to 12 passenger seats.	Essentially a Class 4 vehicle (which includes most cars, vans, and small buses) that falls into the public service (PSV) category, requiring an additional seatbelt installation check.
Class 5	Private passenger vehicles and ambulances with 13 passenger seats or more.	School buses, shuttle vehicles, and ambulances.
Class 5a (PSVs)	Vehicle with 13-16 passenger seats.	Like Class 5, but with the added requirements of a seatbelt installation check for PSVs. These include passenger vehicles, ambulances, and motor caravans.
Class 7	Goods vehicles with a gross weight between 3,000kg and 3,500kg. Vehicles over 3,500kg fall under HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) testing.	Larger vans, pickups, trucks.

Final thoughts

If you want to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy, legal, and has valid insurance, keeping up with your Class 4 MOT is essential. Remember to double-check when your MOT is due and book your Class 4 test in advance to avoid any penalties or unexpected issues.

What Is a Class 4 MOT?