Vehicle Lift LOLER Inspections for Garages

Arrange a thorough examination of every vehicle lift by a competent person and keep the report. Use the term thorough examination for this statutory, competent-person process — routine servicing is a separate activity and does not replace it.

For vehicle lifts, HSE motor-vehicle-repair guidance recommends a thorough examination about every six months. That is guidance, not LOLER stating every lift must legally be examined every six months — the frequency is set by the competent person based on the equipment, use and condition.

Other lifting equipment commonly used in garages — such as trolley jacks, bottle jacks, engine hoists and vehicle-mounted cranes — is generally thoroughly examined about every 12 months. Lifting accessories such as chains and web slings are generally examined about every six months. A competent-person examination scheme can specify different intervals where justified.

When defects are found, the competent person must notify you promptly and you must take the lift out of use (or restrict it) until the defect is remedied. Follow the competent person's written recommendations and keep evidence of remedial work.

## Vehicle lift examinations: what to check

A vehicle lift examination is the formal thorough examination carried out by a competent person under LOLER. Before the visit, make sure the examiner can identify the lift, review its last report and see any defect or repair history. After the examination, record the next due date shown on the report, assign any remedial work and keep the report with the lift's servicing and maintenance records.

Do not rely on a service visit, a visual check or a repair invoice as evidence that the statutory thorough examination has been completed. They may support your maintenance records, but the Report of Thorough Examination and the competent person's stated next due date are the key documents to retain.

A Report of Thorough Examination for each lift, including: the equipment identified, the examiner's name and their employer or competent-person organisation, the date of examination, the date the next examination is due, any defects found, and any remedial actions taken. Keep maintenance and servicing records too, since evidence of routine care is distinct from but complements the statutory thorough examination.

Vehicle lifts: about every six months (HSE motor-vehicle-repair guidance). Other garage lifting equipment such as jacks, engine hoists and vehicle-mounted cranes: generally about every 12 months. Lifting accessories such as chains and web slings: generally about every six months. The exact interval, and the due date of the next examination, is set by the competent person for each item — use that, not a generic rule.

Keep a simple lifting-equipment register listing each item, its last thorough examination, the next due date (from the report) and the competent person used. Set reminders so a due date is never missed, and store the examination reports alongside the rest of your compliance evidence. Motor Trade Ready can hold this register, the dates and the documents in one place.

A thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person — someone with the right practical and theoretical knowledge to identify defects and assess fitness for use. Most garages use an independent inspection provider or an insurer's engineering service. Complex lifts, such as mobile column lifts or four-post lifts with heavy use, may justify a more frequent examination based on the competent person's assessment.