The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced new equipment specifications that will come into effect for Class 4 MOT centres from 1 April 2026.
The update introduces revised standards for jacking equipment to ensure that MOT bays can safely accommodate heavier, modern vehicles.
From this date, any MOT centre applying to open a new site or make changes to an existing one will need to ensure their jacking equipment meets the new requirements.
The equipment must have a minimum safe working load (SWL) of 2 tonnes, and there must be a minimum distance of 1,700mm between the centres of the lifting pads.
These updates are designed to reflect the increasing number of heavier vehicles entering the MOT network, supporting safer and more effective testing.
The changes will apply to MOT centres that submit an application on or after 1 April 2026 to open a new testing centre or to make changes to an existing one.
This includes sites that are newly opening, transferring ownership to a different authorised examiner (AE), restarting testing after a period of inactivity, adding an additional test lane, or voluntarily upgrading or replacing their jacking equipment.
However, these new standards will not apply to centres that already have approved Class 4 test bays and are not planning any changes before April 2026.
They also do not apply to centres that are only changing their AE structure, for example, adding a new partner but keeping the same AE number, or those whose applications are received by DVSA before the new date.
DVSA explained that the current jacking specifications can make it difficult to correctly lift some newer vehicles, especially electric and hybrid models, during an MOT test.
As these vehicles are often heavier than traditional combustion engine models, the revised 2-tonne SWL requirement is designed to improve safety and ensure that all Class 4 MOT bays are properly equipped to handle modern vehicles.
For MOT centres that decide to upgrade their jacking equipment on or after 1 April 2026, the authorised examiner designated manager or site manager must inform DVSA through the MOT Testing Service.
This can be done by signing in, navigating to the MOT centre page, selecting “Change testing equipment”, and entering the relevant details.
For now, existing MOT centres do not need to take any immediate action.
The update only affects new applications or those planning changes from 2026 onwards.
However, garage owners considering future upgrades or expansions should keep the new requirements in mind when planning ahead.
As vehicle technology continues to evolve, these changes represent another step in ensuring the MOT network remains fit for purpose.
By updating equipment standards, DVSA aims to help MOT centres maintain safety, compliance, and readiness to service the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles across the UK.
Garage Matters context
The DVSA’s updated jacking equipment standards reflect a wider shift happening across the UK automotive aftermarket. As electric and hybrid vehicles become more common, MOT centres must be equipped to safely handle heavier and more complex vehicle designs.
For independent garages, this change underlines the importance of planning ahead. While existing MOT centres don’t need to act immediately, those considering expansion, upgrades or new applications after 1 April 2026 should factor in the new specifications early to avoid delays or unexpected costs.
