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MOT Test Fees 2026: Full DVSA Schedule (All 8 Classes)
The DVSA sets statutory maximum test fees by vehicle class. The 2026 schedule runs from £29.65 for a motorcycle up to £124.50 for a large passenger-service vehicle. Every figure on this page is the legal maximum; most garages charge less, especially for the high-volume Class 4 car bracket.
Lowest 2026 fee
£29.65
Class 1 + 2 motorcycle
Headline class fee
£54.85
Class 4 car cap
Highest standard fee
£124.50
Class 5a large PSV
Total classes
8
Plus 1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 5, 5a, 7
The DVSA Class System Explained
The MOT classes follow a logical structure even when the numbering looks scattered. Classes 1 and 2 are motorcycles, split by engine size. Class 3 is light three-wheelers. Class 4 is the all-purpose "car and light van" class that catches the majority of road vehicles. Class 4a is a Class 4 vehicle that has had passenger seatbelts installed for PSV use. Classes 5 and 5a are minibuses and small coaches, split by seat count. Class 7 is the larger goods van segment between 3 and 3.5 tonnes.
Vehicles heavier than 3,500kg do not use the MOT system at all. They use the DVSA annual test for goods vehicles, conducted at authorised testing facilities, with a separate fee schedule outside this guide.
Full 2026 DVSA Fee Schedule
Class 1
Motorcycle up to 200cc
2026 statutory max
£29.65
Typical: £20-29
Examples: Honda C50, Vespa LX 125, Lexmoto Echo 50, Yamaha YBR 125. Mopeds and small scooters.
Sidecar combinations move to the £37.80 rate. Three-wheeled mopeds use this class if engine is 200cc or below.
Class 2
Motorcycle over 200cc
2026 statutory max
£29.65
Typical: £20-29
Examples: Honda CBR 600, Yamaha MT-07, Triumph Bonneville, BMW R 1250 GS. Standard road bikes.
Same statutory cap as Class 1. The two classes are grouped for fee purposes but tested with different equipment.
Class 3
Three-wheeled vehicle up to 450kg
2026 statutory max
£37.80
Typical: £28-37
Examples: Light cargo trikes, some classic three-wheelers below 450kg.
Three-wheelers above 450kg fall to Class 4. The 450kg threshold is the dividing line.
Class 4
Car / light van up to 3,000kg
2026 statutory max
£54.85
Typical: £30-45
Examples: Ford Focus, VW Polo, Tesla Model 3, BMW 3 Series, most light commercial vans up to 3 tonnes.
By far the largest class by vehicle volume. About 32 million Class 4 tests are conducted in the UK per year.
Class 4a
Class 4 with seatbelt installation check (PSV)
2026 statutory max
£64.00
Typical: £60-64
Examples: Adapted Class 4 vehicles used as small passenger-service vehicles with installed seatbelts.
Adds an installation check to the base Class 4 test. Used where a vehicle has aftermarket seatbelts in passenger seating.
Class 5
Private passenger vehicle 13-16 seats
2026 statutory max
£80.65
Typical: £65-80
Examples: Mercedes Sprinter minibus, Ford Transit minibus, school transport up to 16 seats, community minibuses.
Fee rises with seat count. The 17+ seat tier moves to Class 5a.
Class 5a
Private passenger vehicle 17+ seats with seatbelt check
2026 statutory max
£124.50
Typical: £100-124
Examples: Mid-size coaches, large minibuses with 17+ seats used as PSVs.
Highest standard MOT fee tier. Includes the seatbelt installation check.
Class 7
Goods vehicle 3,000-3,500kg
2026 statutory max
£58.60
Typical: £40-55
Examples: Mercedes Sprinter LWB, Iveco Daily, large Ford Transit panel vans. Vehicles over 3 tonnes up to 3.5 tonnes.
Heavier goods vehicles above 3,500kg do not have MOT. They use the DVSA HGV annual test through goods-vehicle testing stations.
Other 2026 Test-Related Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle with sidecar | £37.80 |
| Motor caravan (up to 3,000kg) | £37.80 |
| Class 4 ambulance / taxi | £54.85 |
| Retest with the same garage within 10 days | Free (partial) |
| Retest at a different garage | Full Class 4 fee |
The Difference Between Class 4 and Class 7 (Vans)
Van owners frequently ask which class their vehicle is in. The answer is on the V5C log book, in the box labelled D.2 / Revenue Weight. If the figure is below 3,000kg, the van tests as Class 4 (£54.85 cap). If between 3,000kg and 3,500kg, it tests as Class 7 (£58.60 cap).
Identical-looking vans can sit in different classes. A short-wheelbase Ford Transit might be Class 4; the long-wheelbase variant might be Class 7. Mercedes Sprinter and Iveco Daily models almost always sit in Class 7. The 3.5 tonne ceiling is fixed: anything above moves out of MOT entirely and into the HGV annual test.
More on van testing on the van MOT cost page and on heavy goods on the large goods vehicle MOT page.
What Is NOT Covered by These Fees
The fee schedule covers the test itself. It does not include any of the following common add-ons.
- Repairs. Any work to bring the vehicle back to a pass is quoted separately. Average failure repair cost is £150-300, more on older cars.
- Diagnostic fees. Some garages charge £20-50 for advanced fault-finding work. Should be agreed in writing before work begins.
- Service work. The MOT is not a service. It does not change oil, filters, brake fluid or coolant.
- Recovery if the vehicle fails on dangerous defect. A dangerous-category fail means the car cannot be driven away. Recovery is the owner's responsibility and cost.
- VAT on repairs. The test fee is VAT-exempt; repair work is subject to standard 20% VAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the MOT test fees for 2026?
DVSA statutory maximums for 2026: Class 1 and 2 motorcycles £29.65; Class 3 three-wheelers £37.80; Class 4 cars and light vans £54.85; Class 5 minibuses £80.65; Class 5a large PSVs £124.50; Class 7 large vans (3-3.5t) £58.60. These caps have been unchanged since April 2010.
What is the difference between Class 4 and Class 7?
Class 4 covers vehicles up to 3,000kg unladen. Class 7 covers goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg. A standard Ford Transit panel van might fall in either class depending on its specific weight rating shown on the V5C log book.
Are EV test fees different in 2026?
No. Electric vehicles use the same DVSA class system as petrol or diesel. A Tesla Model 3 is a Class 4 vehicle. There is no EV-specific fee tier in 2026.
Does the MOT test fee include VAT?
No, the MOT test fee is VAT-exempt by HMRC rules. The figures on this page are what you pay; no VAT is added. Any repair work that follows the test is subject to standard 20% VAT.
What is the highest possible MOT fee in 2026?
Class 5a (large PSVs with 17 or more seats) carries the highest standard cap at £124.50. Outside the standard schedule, specialist HGV testing through DVSA goods-vehicle testing stations has its own separate fee structure not covered on this page.
Can a garage charge less than the maximum?
Yes. The caps are legal maximums, not fixed prices. Most UK garages charge well below the cap, particularly for Class 4 cars, where promotional pricing from £20-30 is common.
Why has £54.85 not moved since 2010?
The story behind the 16-year freeze of the statutory MOT cap.
Read the 2026 Cap Explainer