A Class 7 MOT is the annual test for larger vans, those between 3,000kg and 3,500kg design gross weight. Its fee is capped at £58.60, and the first test is due at three years.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What a Class 7 MOT is
The MOT testing system divides vehicles into classes according to type and weight, and Class 7 is the band for larger light goods vehicles. Specifically, it applies to goods vehicles with a design gross weight over 3,000kg and up to 3,500kg. Design gross weight is the maximum weight the vehicle is built to operate at, including its load, rather than its empty kerb weight, so it is the figure that determines the class.
- A Class 7 MOT covers goods vehicles with a design gross weight between 3,000kg and 3,500kg.
- A Class 4 MOT covers most cars and the smaller goods vehicles up to 3,000kg design gross weight.
- The maximum fee for a Class 7 test is capped at £58.60, higher than the £54.85 car cap.
- A new van usually needs its first MOT on the third anniversary of its registration, as for cars.
- Not every garage tests Class 7 vehicles, so testing stations must be authorised for that class.
Many medium and large panel vans fall into this band. Vehicles above 3,500kg move into a different regime entirely, the heavier goods vehicle annual test, while smaller vans sit in Class 4 alongside ordinary cars. Class 7 therefore occupies the upper end of the light commercial range: too heavy for the car test, but still within the light goods vehicle category rather than the heavy lorry system.
The class is set by the vehicle, not by how it is being used on a given day. A van plated at a design gross weight in the Class 7 band remains a Class 7 vehicle whether it is fully laden or running empty, because the test is matched to what the vehicle is built and rated to carry. Owners can confirm the design gross weight from the plate fitted to the vehicle or from the registration document, and that figure is what a testing station uses to book the correct class of test.
How Class 7 differs from Class 4
Class 4 covers most cars, smaller vans up to 3,000kg design gross weight, and many other vehicles such as taxis and minibuses with limited passenger numbers. Class 7 picks up where Class 4 ends for goods vehicles, covering the 3,000kg to 3,500kg band. The dividing line is the design gross weight, so two similar-looking vans can sit in different classes if one is plated at a higher maximum weight.
The tests share a great deal. Both check brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, the body and structure, and emissions. The Class 7 test, however, reflects that these are working vehicles likely to carry significant loads, so the inspection pays particular attention to load-related components and the heavier-duty systems those vans use. The fee cap is also different: a Class 7 test can cost up to £58.60, against the £54.85 maximum for a Class 4 car.
What is tested, including load-related items
A Class 7 MOT examines the same broad safety and environmental areas as a car test, but with the extra weight and load capacity of the vehicle in mind. The brakes are assessed for performance appropriate to a heavier vehicle, and the suspension and load-bearing structure receive close attention because of the stresses a laden van places on them. Tyres are checked against the legal requirements, including the minimum tread depth, and load-rated tyres on a goods vehicle must be in suitable condition for the work the vehicle does.
Other checked items mirror the car test: steering, lighting, mirrors, the windscreen and wipers, seatbelts, the exhaust and emissions, and the general condition of the body and chassis. Corrosion in load-bearing areas is treated seriously because of the consequences for a vehicle carrying weight. As with all MOTs since the categories were introduced in May 2018, faults are recorded as dangerous, major, minor or advisory, and any dangerous or major defect means a fail.
For operators, the load-related focus is the practical difference to plan for. A van that spends its life carrying tools, stock or heavy equipment will work its brakes, suspension and tyres harder than a private car, so these are the components most likely to generate advisories or failures over time. Keeping on top of tyre condition, brake performance and any signs of structural corrosion between tests reduces the risk of a fail and the downtime that follows, which is a meaningful consideration when a van is central to a working day.
Class 4 vs Class 7 at a glance
The table compares the two classes most relevant to van owners.
| Feature | Class 4 | Class 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles covered | Cars and smaller vans | Larger goods vans |
| Design gross weight | Up to 3,000kg (goods) | Over 3,000kg to 3,500kg |
| Maximum fee | £54.85 | £58.60 |
| First test due | Third anniversary | Third anniversary |
| Testing stations | Widely available | Authorised stations only |
First test timing and finding a station
A new van of Class 7 weight follows the same first-test rule as most vehicles: the first MOT falls due on the third anniversary of its registration. After that initial test it requires an MOT every year to remain legal for use on public roads. Operators should track the expiry date carefully, because a goods vehicle used for work without a valid MOT exposes the keeper to enforcement, and driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000.
Finding somewhere to test a Class 7 van takes a little more thought than for a car, because not every MOT centre is authorised for the heavier class. Garages must hold the appropriate authorisation and equipment, including ramps and brake testers rated for the larger vehicle. The practical approach is to confirm with a station in advance that it carries out Class 7 tests, rather than assume any MOT garage can do it. The GOV.UK guidance on getting an MOT sets out the classes and the maximum fees, and a testing station can confirm its authorisation before you book.
Because the cap is a maximum rather than a fixed price, stations can charge less than £58.60, and some bundle the retest within a set period after a fail. Checking the price and the retest policy when booking helps avoid surprises, particularly for a working vehicle where downtime has a direct cost.
It also helps to plan the test around the vehicle's workload. Booking ahead of the expiry date leaves room to carry out any repairs and a retest without the van being off the road illegally. A free reminder from the GOV.UK MOT reminder service can flag the date in advance, and confirming a Class 7 slot early avoids the scramble of finding an authorised station at short notice. For a business that depends on the vehicle, treating the annual test as a scheduled maintenance event rather than a last-minute task reduces both the risk of a fail and the disruption a fail can cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Class 7 MOT?
A Class 7 MOT is the annual roadworthiness test for larger goods vehicles, those with a design gross weight between 3,000kg and 3,500kg. It checks the same broad safety and emissions areas as a car test but is geared to the heavier, load-carrying nature of these vans. Vehicles above 3,500kg fall outside Class 7 into the heavy goods regime.
What weight range is a Class 7 MOT for?
Class 7 applies to goods vehicles with a design gross weight over 3,000kg and up to 3,500kg. Design gross weight is the maximum operating weight including load, not the empty weight. Vehicles up to 3,000kg sit in Class 4, and those over 3,500kg move into the heavier goods vehicle test.
How much is a Class 7 MOT?
The maximum fee for a Class 7 test is capped at £58.60. That is a ceiling, so individual garages may charge less. The cap is higher than the £54.85 maximum that applies to a Class 4 car test, reflecting the larger vehicle.
What is the difference between Class 4 and Class 7 MOT?
Class 4 covers cars and smaller vans up to 3,000kg design gross weight, while Class 7 covers larger vans from 3,000kg up to 3,500kg. The tests examine similar systems, but Class 7 gives extra attention to load-related components, and the fee cap is higher at £58.60 compared with £54.85 for Class 4.
When does a large van need its first MOT?
A Class 7 van usually needs its first MOT on the third anniversary of its registration, the same timing as most cars. After that it must be tested every year. Keeping track of the expiry date is important, as using the van for work without a valid MOT can lead to enforcement.
