How often should vehicle lifts be inspected?

Vehicle lifts in garages and workshops must be inspected and maintained regularly to help ensure they remain safe to use. In the UK, vehicle lifts are typically covered under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) as well as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

In practice, this means vehicle lifts should undergo routine checks, planned maintenance and formal thorough examinations carried out by a competent person. Daily or pre-use visual inspections are commonly completed by workshop staff to identify obvious defects, leaks, damage or operational issues before the lift is used.

In addition to routine checks, LOLER generally requires vehicle lifts used for lifting vehicles with people working underneath them to receive a formal thorough examination at least every six months, unless a written examination scheme specifies a different interval. Servicing and maintenance may also be required more frequently depending on usage levels and manufacturer recommendations.

Inspection and maintenance records should be retained so there is evidence that the lift is being monitored and maintained appropriately.