A Quick Guide To Car Classification

Cars are separated into a number of different classes, however, not all motorists are aware of how DVLA vehicle classification works.

A vehicle class refers to the size, weight and number of wheels it has. For example, classes 1 and 2 relate to motorbikes and motorbike with sidecar vehicles that have engines smaller than 200cc. Class 3 vehicles include the likes of Robin Reliant (cue Del Trotter) as these only run on three wheels.

Cars tend to fall into class 4 (anything above tend to be commercial vehicles such as vans and HGVs).

Class 4 is then split into 9 different sub-classes – if you’re looking to buy a new or second-hand car it’s important to find out what class your vehicle would fall into as this will affect the amount you spend on your car insurance, road tax and other motoring costs.

Class 4 is split like so:

• Class A: Micro cars - including the likes of SMART cars and city commuter vehicles.

• Class B: Super minis - this includes Vauxhall Corsas, Ford Fiestas, Volkswagon Polos and alike.

• Class C: Small family vehicles - including the likes of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagon Golf.

• Class D: Larger family cars - i.e. the Ford Mondeo, BMW 3 series, etc.

• Class E: Executive cars - such as the Volvo S80, Audi A5 or BMW 5 Series.

• Class F: Large luxury cars - Mercedes S class, Audi A8, etc.

• Class S: Sports cars - such as the MGF Sportscar, Volvo C70, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, etc.

• Class M: Multi-purpose vehicles (i.e. MPVs) - includes the Vauxhall Zafira, Ford Galaxy, Ford S-Max, etc.

• Class J: 4 wheel drive (4x4) vehicles - including the Landrover, Jeep, Toyota Tundra, etc.

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