Independent guidance. Commercial relationships disclosed.
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MOT equipment / Guide

GarageReady MOT guide

Class 4 vs Class 7 MOT bays: what changes?

Compare Class 4 and Class 7 MOT bay planning in the UK, including vehicle scope, equipment, brake-testing areas, inspection facilities and package buying.

Last reviewed: 25 September 2026

Class choiceDefine the vehicles the business intends to test before specifying the lane.
Brake-test areaCurrent RBT working-area requirements differ between Class 4 and Class 7.
Equipment approvalCheck each relevant machine for the required class and ATL use where applicable.
Future proofingAdding capability later can require equipment or premises changes.

Why the class matters commercially

Testing a wider vehicle range can change the business opportunity, but it also changes the capital and premises decision. Model demand before paying for capability you will not use.

Class 4 is not a generic small bay

It still has detailed facility, equipment, calibration and connected-equipment requirements. Treat package names as supplier shorthand rather than the approval itself.

Class 7 needs deliberate space planning

The current Class 7 roller-brake-tester working area is larger than the Class 4 equivalent. Other facility requirements also need checking for the proposed layout.

Ask suppliers for an itemised specification

A useful quote should identify the exact approved machines, inspection facility, included accessories, installation, commissioning, calibration and any building work excluded.

Primary source

GarageReady uses the current DVSA MOT testing guide and acceptable-equipment information as the authority for regulatory requirements. Supplier pages can help specify products, but they do not replace DVSA requirements.