Pit-Based MOT Bays.
What a pit-based bay is, and who needs it
A pit-based MOT bay uses a built-in inspection pit instead of a raised vehicle lift, giving the tester walk-down access beneath the vehicle. Inspection pits are commonly used where building height makes a conventional lift layout unsuitable or impractical.
Liftmaster supplies pit-based Class 4 and Class 7 MOT bays with the brake tester, headlamp tester, play detectors, turn plates and jacking beam specified around the pit. Complete bays carry a 2-year parts and labour warranty. Liftmaster handles the equipment installation and calibration and supports the customer through the DVSA approval process.
The equipment in a pit-based bay
A built-in inspection pit provides the under-vehicle access. The remaining core test equipment follows the shared vehicle-bay equipment order below and is specified around the Class 4, Class 7 or combined pit layout.
A built-in inspection pit provides walk-down access beneath the vehicle and replaces the raised vehicle lift in the bay layout.
Plan your bay
Measures braking efficiency and imbalance across the axles. Connected roller brake testers send results to the DVSA MTS system where required by the installation.
View brake testers
Raises an axle clear so wheel bearings, steering joints and suspension can be checked. The jacking beam is positioned to suit the lift or pit layout.
View jacking beams
Sliding plates allow steering and suspension movement to be checked under load. They are incorporated where required by the ATL or bay configuration.
View play detectors
Checks headlamp beam alignment and intensity against MOT limits. The equipment is set up on the level operating area or rail system required by the selected tester.
View headlamp testers
Petrol gas analysers and diesel smoke meters are specified for the emissions testing required by the vehicle classes served by the bay. Connected equipment reports to the DVSA testing service where applicable.
View emissions analysers
Records braking performance on a road test where a roller brake tester cannot be used for the vehicle being tested.
View decelerometersChoose your pit bay
Pit-based bays can be specified for Class 4, Class 7 or combined Class 4 and 7 testing. Play detectors, turn plates, the roller brake tester, headlamp beam tester and jacking equipment are laid out around the inspection pit to suit the test class and site.
- Play detectors
- Captive turn plates
- DVSA roller brake tester
- Headlamp beam tester
- Jacking beam
- Play detectors
- Captive turn plates
- DVSA roller brake tester
- Headlamp beam tester
- Jacking beam
Planning the bay
A pit bay needs an inspection pit with the drainage and ventilation required by the site design, together with space for the brake tester and headlamp tester. Liftmaster surveys the site and sets out the pit and equipment positions before installation.
Getting the bay approved
Liftmaster specifies the required equipment from the DVSA-approved equipment list, installs and calibrates it to the required specification, and provides the paperwork needed for the DVSA site assessment. Liftmaster supports the approval process; DVSA site authorisation remains a separate step.
Keep the bay compliant
DVSA requires MOT testing equipment to be calibrated and serviced every 6 months. Liftmaster can coordinate the servicing and calibration required across the bay.
Get a quote for your pit bay
Send the site details and the test requirements and the team will come back with the equipment list and a quotation. Finance options are available.
Pit bay questions
What is a pit-based MOT bay?
Why choose a pit instead of a vehicle lift?
Can a pit bay test both Class 4 and Class 7?
What building work does a pit bay need?
How long does installation take?
Is finance available on a pit bay?
Other bay types
Related reading
Talk to the team about your pit bay
Tell us about your unit, the MOT classes you want to test and the vehicle mix. Liftmaster will review the layout, specify the equipment and quote for supply, installation and calibration. Where a site survey or DVSA approval support is needed, the team will include that in the next steps.