Act Now: MOT Jacking Beam Rules Change April 2026

The DVSA has recently announced important updates to MOT testing bay standards, set to take effect from April 2026. The new rules affect all Class 4 MOT bays, meaning workshops must ensure their jacking beams meet revised specifications to stay compliant. Failing to act early could lead to testing interruptions, lost revenue, and unnecessary downtime, so it’s vital to prepare for this ahead of time.

In this blog, we’ll give you a clear overview of what’s changing, and how you can prepare ahead of time.

What’s Changing From April 2026

From 1 April 2026, all Class 4 MOT test bay jacking beams must meet the following minimum requirements:

Minimum lifting capacity: 2,000 kg
Minimum distance between pad centres: 1,700 mm

These revised changes have been introduced to reflect the increasing size and weight of modern vehicles. By standardising lifting equipment, the DVSA aims to improve safety and ensure that all MOT bays can accommodate today's wider range of vehicles confidently and securely.

Dual-Class MOT Bays

The DVSA has confirmed that class 7 requirements remain unchanged for now. However, if your workshop operates a dual Class 4 and Class 7 MOT bay, it must meet both standards. This means a dual-approved MOT bay will require:

A minimum lifting capacity of 2.6 tonnes
A minimum span of 1,700 mm between

The revised standards reflect the increasing size and weight of modern vehicles, ensuring that MOT equipment remains safe, reliable, and capable of handling the vehicles commonly tested today.

Why The New Rules Matter

Failing to upgrade your MOT jacking beam before April 2026 could mean that you’re unable to carry out MOT tests, leading to:

Costly downtime and lost productivity
Reduced revenue from paused testing operations
Last-minute installation bottlenecks as the deadline approaches

By acting now, you can avoid any disruption and give you time to plan installations, schedule upgrades, and avoid the last-minute rush expected closer to the deadline.

Stay Compliant with Ready-to-Fit Equipment

We already stock a range of jacking beams that meet (or exceed) the DVSA’s minimum requirements for Class 4 MOT bays for example the 2 Tonne Majorlift Manual Jacking Beam.

Our jacking beam models include:

Extension capability up to 1,870 mm
Retraction down to 790 mm
A 2,000 kg lifting capacity suitable for a wide range of vehicles
Proven reliability, tried and tested in workshops across the UK

Please note: jacking beams are not DVSA “approved” products. They do not require independent DVSA certification. They must simply meet the DVSA’s minimum specification, which our models exceed.

Beat The 2026 Rush

As the April 2026 MOT regulation deadline approaches, the demand for compliant jacking beams is expected to surge. Meaning there’ll potentially be delays in supply and installation leaving many workshops struggling to upgrade in time. Order early to avoid delays and ensure your MOT bay continues to meet the DVSA’s minimum specification for jacking beams.

Future-proof your business now and avoid unnecessary downtime later.