MOT for Cars
(Class 4)
Ensure your vehicle meets all UK safety and emissions standards with our Class 4 MOT for cars and light vans. Using DVSA-approved testing equipment and advanced diagnostics, we assess all critical systems — from brakes and suspension to lighting, emissions and structural integrity. Fast, precise and fully compliant, designed to keep you safe and road-ready.
BOOK A MOTWhere precision meets innovation, our Class 7 MOT inspections combine advanced diagnostic technology with highly trained technicians to ensure your commercial vehicle meets the strictest UK safety and emissions standards — with zero guesswork and full transparency.
What Is a Motorcycle MOT Test?
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual, legally required inspection that verifies your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and compliant with emissions regulations. Using DVSA-approved equipment and modern diagnostic systems, we evaluate all critical safety components — not the engine’s performance or wear, but the systems that keep you, your cargo, and other road users safe.
What We Inspect
Safety & Control Systems:
- Heavy-duty braking performance: hydraulic system integrity, brake balance, disc/drum wear
- Steering system: steering box/rack, joints, column play, power-assist warning status
- Suspension & chassis: leaf springs, shock absorbers, bushings, wheel bearings, structural corrosion under load-bearing areas
Visibility & Signalling
- Headlights (alignment + output), indicators, rear lights, fog lamps
- Windscreen condition and critical-zone damage
- Wipers, washers, mirrors, dashboard warning indicators
Tyres & Road Contact
- Tread depth compliance for commercial-rated tyres
- Sidewall structural integrity under load
- Correct load and speed rating (C/XL rated, where required)
Emissions & Exhaust System
- Petrol/diesel: emissions levels, smoke opacity, and compliance
- DPF and catalytic converter checks for tampering or failure
- Exhaust system mountings, leaks, noise level compliance
Electrical & Safety Restraints
- Battery security and wiring condition
- Seatbelts and anchorage points
- Airbag/supplemental restraint system warning status
- EML (Engine Management Light) — may cause emissions-related failure depending on the fault
Regulatory Compliance
- Number plates & VIN visibility
- Horn performance
- Fuel system leaks
- Doors/bonnet/tailgate security
Common MOT Fail Causes (Including EML Issues)
Your Class 7 vehicle may fail the MOT for Major or Dangerous defects such as:
- Worn or damaged commercial tyres
- Brake imbalance or severely worn discs/drums
- Misaligned or non-functional headlights
- Structural corrosion on chassis rails, sills, crossmembers, or load-bearing points
- Windscreen cracks in the driver’s swept area
- Excessive diesel emissions or smoke
- Suspension wear (broken leaf springs, worn joints, cracked mounts)
- Airbag, ABS, or EPS warning lights illuminated
- Engine Management Light (EML) ON — often leads to an emissions fail
- DPF-related smoke or performance issues
Before You Arrive (No DIY — Just Awareness)
To avoid a fail caused by simple oversight, we recommend ensuring:
- All lamps work and are not excessively dim
- Windscreen is clean with no major cracks
- Washer fluid is topped up
- No dashboard warning lights remain illuminated, especially:
*ABS
*SRS/Airbag
*EML/Check Engine
- Tyres have no bulges, cuts, or severe wear
- The load area is clear of loose heavy items affecting brake testing
- Number plates are clean and readable
- Doors, bonnet, and tailgate open and close securely
MOT Classes Explained
Class 1
Small motorcycles up to 200cc
Class 2
All other motorcycles
Class 3
Three-wheelers ≤ 450 kg
Class 4
Cars, vans up to 3,000 kg
Class 7
Goods vehicles 3,001–3,500 kg DGW
When You Can Take the MOT
You may test up to 1 month (minus 1 day) before your current MOT expires and keep the same renewal date.
Example: If your MOT expires on 20 June, you can test from 21 May onward.
At Portmill Engineering, we elevate the MOT experience beyond a basic legal requirement.
Using next-generation diagnostic systems, precision testing equipment and a highly skilled team of certified technicians, we deliver a service that is fast, transparent and built around trust. Your safety isn’t just checked — it’s engineered with purpose.
1. Advanced, DVSA-Approved Testing Technology
We use cutting-edge brake testers, emissions analysers and digital diagnostic tools to ensure every reading is accurate to the highest standard. No outdated equipment. No approximations.
2. Futuristic Diagnostic Accuracy
From emissions analysis to warning-light behaviour (including EML, ABS, SRS and more), our systems detect irregularities with exceptional precision — ensuring nothing critical is overlooked.
3. Technician Expertise That Goes Beyond the Basics
Our specialists don’t simply perform MOTs — they interpret results with deep mechanical understanding. This means your report is clear, trustworthy and based on real technical insight.
4. Honest, Transparent Results — No Guesswork
You receive a clear breakdown of findings, with no hidden fees, pressure sales or unnecessary repairs. Just straightforward facts and solutions.
5. Fast Turnaround, Premium Customer Experience
We value your time. Our MOT workflow is engineered for speed without compromising accuracy, ensuring your vehicle is tested, documented and returned efficiently.
6. MOT + Fault Insight (When Needed)
If your vehicle displays warning lights — including the Engine Management Light (EML) — we can perform a detailed diagnostic report to identify the underlying issue and provide an action plan.
7. Trusted by Local Drivers & Commercial Clients
We’re known for consistent quality, technical reliability and a service designed around long-term trust—not one-time visits.