MOT bay layout and dimensions

It is fundamental that you make sure your premises are suitable and testing bay sizes are correct for the vehicle classes you’ll be testing.

Premises, test bays and equipment will be considered suitable if they meet the requirements by the VOSA.

MOT test bays and layout dimensions is measured from the inside of the walls and doors of an MOT testing station.

MOT Equipment Layout

The MOT Equipment layout of the test bays and pits must meet the following minimum requirements;

A Test Bay

• The Test Bay will need to have a vehicle entrance and exit of at least 3.2m high by 3.0m wide. (If part of the brake test standing area the door must be at least 3.5m wide)
• Have a width of at least 4.2m
•  A Headroom of at least 3.2m (except over a lift)
• A headroom over a lift of at least 4.8m measured from the platform surfaces when fully lowered
  • The headroom must extend 500mm further than the outer edges of the lift platform
  •  Extending 500mm to the front of the non drive on end of the lift platforms and 1m to the rear of the drive on end of the lift platforms
• A test bay entrances and exits for double deck vehicles must be at least, 4.6m high and 4.2m wide and have headroom of at least 5.0m
  •   A headroom over a lift of at least 6.3m for double deck vehicles
• A test Bay entrance and exit for single deck vehicles must be at least 3.7m high and 4.2m wide and have headroom of at least 4.0m. (except over a lift)
  • A headroom over a lift must have at least 5.3m for single deck vehicles

It is IMPORTANT that adequate passageway clearance is provided around the testing facilities in all test bays. 

A LIFT

A lift will be considered suitable if you meet the following requirements:

• A wheel supporting platform lift with platforms without upstands or guard rails are to be at least 4.8m long
• Rolled edges or vertical rails for jacking equipment must not be more than 25mm higher than the platform
• The platform length does not include access ramps
• MOT testing equipment should have a minimum clearance 0.5 metres around all parts of the MOT lift
• If a scissor lift is used, the scissors must be located underneath the platforms, allowing unobstructed access between them
• Platform surfaces are to be capable of being raised at least 1.4m from the floor (measured from the floor on which the tester stands)
• Adjustable platforms which allow the class of vehicle to be tested. A minimum of at least 760mm between the inner edges of the platforms and at least 2.1m between the outer edges
• A safe working load (SWL) of at least 3.5 tonnes clearly marked on the lift
• Jacking equipment clearly marked with a minimum SWL of 2.6 tonnes, capable of simultaneously raising both front or both rear wheels, (duplicated jacking equipment is acceptable)
• Heavy duty captive bearing based turning plates, positively secured to the platforms, which allows the wheels to be turned freely from lock to lock
• The turning plates must move laterally across the full platform width (when installed there must be a minimum distance of 4.2m from the centre of the turning plates to the drive on end of lift platforms)
• Chocks that operate automatically when the lift is raised, the 4.2m dimension for turning plates must not interfere with operation of the chocks

A Pit

A pit will be considered suitable if you meet the following requirements:

• A pit with an uninterrupted working length of at least 6.0m
• Has a minimum width of 760mm and not more than 1.3m over the working length measured across both pit walls
• A depth of at least 1.4m and not more than 1.8m over the working length (Staging may be used to meet this requirement)
• Adequate access for personnel which does not intrude on the working dimensions. Access steps may encroach on the required dimensions to an entrance/exit door or wall provided there is a minimum clearance width of no less than 600mm
• Sealed to prevent the ingress of water
• Jacking equipment as required for a lift. Rolled edges and vertical rails for jacking equipment must not exceed 25mm height
• Suitable captive bearing based turning plates, positively secured to the floor which permit the steered wheels to be turned freely from lock to lock

MTC Training Courses 

• MOT Training Courses (Car, Motorbike, HGV) 
• MOT & Hybrid/EV Training Course Level 1
• VTAA Level 3 
• MOT Managers Courses
• Hybrid Training Courses – Level 1, 2 and 3 (Raise Awareness, Light Vehicles, Buses, HGV, Cars)
• MOT Managers Refresher  Course (new)
• MOT Refresher Course (new)

The next step

For more information about the MOT Training Courses , Annual Assessment Training, or to view our latest special offers click this link.

You can also contact one of our professional trainers on; 01274 965008 or 07494263621.