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The following information is from the MOT inspection manual and MOT testing Guide. Please check on the GOV.uk website for the latest updates
Find Class 4 Vehicles in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
- Three-wheeled vehicles more than 450kg ULW - category L5
- Quadricycles - category L6 or L7
- Cars and Taxis - category M1
- Minibuses, motor caravans, dual purpose vehicles and ambulances up to 12 passenger seats - category M1, M2 or N1
- American pickups up to 6500kg DGW
- Goods vehicles not exceeding 3,000kg DGW - category N1
Find Category M1 Vehicles in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
A vehicle with 4 or more wheels used for the carriage of passengers, with no more than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat. This includes dual purpose vehicles, motor caravans and ambulances, but does not include quadricycles.
Find Category N1 Vehicles in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
A vehicle with 4 or more wheels used for the carriage of goods and having a DGW not exceeding 3,500kg. This includes dual purpose vehicles.
Find Goods Vehicle Classes in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
Goods vehicles not exceeding 3,000kg DGW - category N1
Goods vehicles between 3,001kg and 3,500kg DGW inclusive - category N1
Find Dual Purpose Vehicles in the MOT Testing Guide HERE
A dual purpose vehicle is one that:
- is constructed or adapted for the carriage of both passengers and goods or burden of any description
- has an unladen weight (ULW) not exceeding 2,040kg
- is constructed as defined in EITHER option A or option B below
Option A
The vehicle is so constructed or adapted so that the driving power of the engine, is, or by the use of the appropriate controls can be, transmitted to all the wheels of the vehicle.
Option B
The vehicle is permanently fitted with a rigid roof, with or without a sliding panel.
The area to the rear of the driver’s seat must be:
- Permanently fitted with at least one row of transverse seats (fixed or folding) for two or more passengers, and those seats must be properly sprung or cushioned and provided with upholstered backrests, attached either to the seats or to a side or the floor of the vehicle.
- Lit on each side and at the rear by a window or windows of glass or other transparent material having an aggregate area of not less than 1,850cm² on each side and not less than 770cm² at the rear.
Find it in the MOT Testing Guide HERE
Differences between a class 4 and 7 test
Find Brakes in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
When conducting a test on a roller brake tester (RBT) where more than half of the wheels of a brake system lock the efficiency requirements for that system are considered to be met.
Alternatively, the efficiency requirements are met if the front wheels lock on the service brake of an unladen Class 7 vehicle with at least a 100kg force at each rear wheel for a two-axle vehicle, or at least 50kg force at each rear wheel on a three-axle vehicle.
For non-automated roller brake testers the brake test weight must be obtained from a brake data chart or other reliable source.
For Class 7 use the DGW from the manufacture’s plate or, the nominal DGW of 2,600kg if using a plate brake tester and the presented weight is less than 2,000kg.
Using a plate brake tester
For vehicles other than Class 7, establish the actual presented weight of the vehicle.
For Class 7 vehicles, the brake efficiency will be calculated using one of the following:
- the actual design gross weight (DGW) where the presented weight is at least 2,000kg (the DGW is obtained from the manufacturer’s plate fitted to the vehicle)
- a nominal DGW figure of 2,600kg if the presented weight is less than 2,000kg
Find Goods Vehicles in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
In these cases, one column will be the maximum design weights and the other column will be the maximum permissible weights in Great Britain, otherwise known as Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).
Where a Design Gross Weight is not shown, then the Gross GB Weight or MAM is used for brake percentage efficiency calculations on vehicles in Class 7.
Note: On goods vehicles presented with a ‘Ministry’ plate (VTG6 or VTG6T) then the information displayed on that plate will always override the information displayed on the Manufacturer’s plate.
The registration number and chassis number on the ‘Ministry’ plate must always be cross checked to ensure the plate relates to that vehicle.”
An example of a manufacturer’s plate can be found in Section 2 of the Introduction.
Checking of load sensing valve.
Find Tyres in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
Load rating - Classes 5 and 7 only
A tyre load rating table is in Appendix B.
Make sure the tyre load rating is suitable for the axle weight.
You can find the permitted maximum laden weight of an axle on the manufacturer’s plate.
If axle weights are not displayed on the manufacturer’s plate, you must assume that the load capacity of the tyres are suitable, unless there’s indisputable evidence to suggest otherwise.
If a goods vehicle has a ‘Ministry’ plate showing lower axle weights not to be exceeded in Great Britain, you must use those instead of the ones on the manufacturer’s plate.
Find Speed Rating in the MOT Inspection Manual HERE
A tyre’s speed rating is shown on the sidewall as a letter and usually precedes or follows the load rating. Speed ratings from A to K are unacceptable, with the exception of H.
If no speed rating is shown it must be assumed that the minimum requirements are met.
