When a van needs an MOT
In Great Britain a van needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year. Vans in Northern Ireland are also first tested at three years (it is cars that wait until four there), under the NI testing scheme.
Class 4 or Class 7
| Van | MOT class | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|
| Goods vehicle up to 3,000 kg design gross weight | Class 4 | £54.85 |
| Goods vehicle over 3,000 kg, up to 3,500 kg | Class 7 | £58.60 |
Glazing vans with an A-frame and a full load of glass are often in the heavier bracket — check the plated weight, and book a garage that tests Class 7 if you need one.
Book early, keep the date
You can have the MOT up to one month (minus a day) before it is due and keep the same renewal date — so there's no reason to leave it to the last week. Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000, and it can affect your insurance. GOV.UK runs a free reminder service by text or email, a month before each due date.
Running a fleet
With several vans, the dates spread across the year and get lost. Keep them in one list with the paperwork, decide who books them, and give yourself a series of nudges rather than a single reminder.
Where Coglass fits
Coglass keeps the fleet with the jobs:
- MOT dates for every van, flagged OK, due soon or overdue, with the certificates stored on the vehicle.
- Reminders that escalate. Set, per van, how many days ahead and how many nudges; Coglass reminds the team in its notifications as the date approaches, on the day, and if it lapses.
- Log each MOT with the date it was done and the next due date, so the reminders count down to the right day.
- Vans on the planner. Put a van with each person for the day, or let staff pick theirs on the phone — with a history of who drove what, and when.
Want to see it on your own jobs? Book a demo or see pricing in GBP.
Sources
- GOV.UK — When to get an MOT
- GOV.UK — MOT test fees
- GOV.UK — Get an MOT reminder
- nidirect — How the MOT scheme works
This page explains the rules in general terms. Standards and tax rules change, and how they apply depends on the job — check the source, your building control body or your accountant before relying on it.