New jacking equipment specifications for Class 4 MOT bays and MOT centres have now been issued.

The revised specifications apply to MOT centres submitting an application to open or change a centre from 1st April 2026 onwards. MOT centres do not need to take action if their Class 4 MOT bays are already approved and if no changes are being made to the centre. 

CCS clients should be aware of these new specifications, particularly if new servicing centres are to be opened, or existing centres changed.  

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New jacking equipment specifications for Class 4 MOT bays

From 1st April 2026, jacking equipment in new MOT centres, or changed or updated MOT centres, must have a: 

• minimum Safe Working Load (SWL) of 2 tonnes
• distance of at least 1,700mm between the centre of the lifting pads 

These changes are being made in order to ensure jacking equipment can safely accommodate electric and hybrid vehicles, which tend to be heavier due to their large battery packs. 

Which test centres do the updated jacking equipment specifications apply to? 

These changes to jacking equipment specification regulations apply to MOT centres that submit an application to open or change a centre from 1st April 2026, and includes: 

• new MOT centres that have not yet carried out MOT tests 
• existing MOT centres that are undergoing a change of ownership, where the centre is transferred to a different authorised examiner 
• MOT centres that are restarting MOT testing following a period of no testing, regardless of how long the period of no testing was
• MOT centres adding another MOT test lane or bay 
• MOT centres that wish to voluntarily upgrade or replace jacking equipment

The updated jacking equipment specifications do not apply to MOT test centres that: 

• are retaining the same AE number and are only changing their existing AE, for example by adding a new partner 
• submit an application to open or change an MOT centre that is received by DVSA before 1st April 2026 
• have approved Class 4 MOT bays already and are not making any changes to these before 1st April 2026

Installing or upgrading jacking equipment in line with the updated specifications? 

If the updated jacking equipment specifications apply to your existing MOT test centre, your AE manager or site manager must advise the DVSA of the changes to your jacking equipment using the MOT testing service. Sign in, go to the MOT centre page and select “Change testing equipment” before completing your details. 

Do the updated specifications apply to Class 7 MOT bays?

The updated specifications relate specifically to Class 4 MOT bays, but where an MOT bay operates as a dual Class 4 and Class 7 bay, the jacking equipment must meet the requirements of both, being: 

• minimum SWL of 2.6 tonnes
• distance of at least 1,700mm between the centre of the lifting pads 

It is strongly advised that operators of dual Class 4 and Class 7 MOT bays ensure their jacking equipment meets both of these specifications.

Learn more about this DVSA update