New MOT Test classes announced

The MOT Test vehicle class designations are changing. Vehicle classes by numbers like Class 2, 3, 4 and so on will eventually be replaced by the system used elsewhere in the world with seven different categories, as follows:

Category L2e vehicle
A three wheeled vehicle (tricycle) classed as a moped – a maximum speed not exceeding 45km/h, not more than 50cc for spark ignition engine or 4KW for any other power unit.

Category L5e vehicle
A three wheeled vehicle (tricycle) more than 50cc and/or a maximum speed greater than 45km/h.

Category L6e vehicle
Light quadricycle – four wheeled vehicle with a maximum unladen mass of 350kg (not including the batteries in an electrically powered vehicle) a maximum speed not exceeding 45km/h, not more than 50cc for spark ignition engine or 4KW for any other power unit.

Category L7e vehicle
Quadricycle – A four wheeled vehicle with a maximum unladen mass 400kg or 550kg for a goods vehicle (not including the batteries in an electrically powered vehicle) and a maximum net power of 15KW (21BHP).

Category M1 vehicle
A vehicle with four or more wheels used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not 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.

Category M2 vehicle
A vehicle with four or more wheels used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat and a maximum DGW not exceeding 5000kg. This includes dual purpose vehicles, motor caravans and ambulances.

Category M3 vehicle
A vehicle with four or more wheels used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat and a maximum DGW exceeding 5000kg.

Category N1 vehicle
A vehicle with four or more wheels used for the carriage of goods and having a DGW not exceeding 3500kg.