Van MOT Check - Free Van MOT History by Registration

Van MOT class depends on the gross vehicle weight (GVW). Vans up to 3,000 kg GVW — such as a Ford Transit Connect or VW Caddy — are tested under Class 4, the same class as cars. Vans between 3,001 kg and 3,500 kg GVW — such as a large Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter — fall under Class 7. Class 7 vans have an extended test that includes additional checks on the braking system and payload-related components. Vans over 3,500 kg GVW require a different annual vehicle test (AVT) rather than a standard MOT.

The same rule applies to vans as to cars: the first MOT is required when the vehicle reaches three years old. After that, the test must be renewed every year. Commercial vans used for hire or reward may have additional operator licence requirements, but the basic MOT requirement starts at three years regardless of use.

A Class 7 van MOT includes all the standard checks (lights, brakes, steering, tyres, emissions, structure) plus additional commercial-vehicle-specific assessments. These include brake efficiency at higher axle loads, load security points, number plate lighting, and the condition of any body modifications such as racking, bulkheads, or tail lifts. Brake performance is tested on a roller brake tester at both unladen and laden weights to verify the braking system can cope with the van's designed payload.

Vans are working vehicles and are often driven significantly harder than private cars. High mileage, overloading, and deferred maintenance are common in the commercial vehicle world. An MOT history reveals the cumulative wear — brake failures, tyre defects, suspension issues, structural corrosion — that a seller might not disclose. Our free van MOT check shows every test, every advisory, and every failure item recorded since the vehicle first entered the DVSA system.

Yes. Our check works with any valid UK registration number, including personalised or cherished plates. The registration is linked to the vehicle in DVLA records, so the MOT history retrieved will be for the actual van regardless of what plates it currently carries. If a seller has transferred plates frequently, the mileage timeline in the MOT history will still give you a reliable picture of use.