Getting your minibus MOT right starts with knowing which class applies to your vehicle, and making sure you’re using a site that’s authorised to test it. At CCM, we carry out minibus MOTs at our Cranleigh and Gatwick sites, both of which are authorised Class 5 testing stations.
There’s sometimes confusion about how minibuses are classified for MOT purposes. The DVSA’s guidance is clear:
Class 4 – passenger-carrying vehicles with 9 to 12 seats. Despite the larger passenger capacity, these vehicles are tested under Class 4 – the same class as standard cars and smaller vehicles.
Class 5 – the more common larger minibus, with 13 or more passenger seats. Class 5 testing requires specific authorisation and equipment. Both our Cranleigh and Gatwick sites are fully authorised Class 5 testing stations.
If you’re unsure which class applies to your vehicle, let us know the seating capacity when you book and we’ll confirm the correct classification.
A minibus MOT follows the standard test structure – brakes, steering, lights, tyres, emissions, bodywork, and visibility – with the additional checks that apply to passenger-carrying vehicles: seatbelts across all positions, emergency exits, door operation, and structural requirements specific to this vehicle type.
For operators running minibuses under a permit or licence, scheduling the annual MOT to coincide with a safety inspection and service is the most efficient approach, reducing the number of times the vehicle is off the road and ensuring everything is up to date in a single visit. We’ll build this into your forward planning schedule as standard.
CCM has been trusted by customers across Surrey and Sussex for over 30 years, and recognised by the industry to match, with awards including back-to-back Automechanika Best Multi-Site Garage wins, consecutive IGA Best Independent Garage titles, and the Top Garage Award 2025.
To book your Minibus MOT in Gatwick or Cranleigh, click the Fleet Booking button below to send us an online enquiry. Alternatively, give us a ring.
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