MOT bays should carry out regular health and safety checks to help ensure that inspection equipment, work areas and vehicle testing activities remain safe for staff and customers. Under UK health and safety law, employers are expected to maintain safe working conditions and ensure equipment is suitable and properly maintained.
In practice, checks within MOT bays are used to identify faults, damage or unsafe conditions before they lead to incidents or equipment failure during vehicle inspections.
Typical health and safety checks in MOT bays include:
- Inspection of vehicle lifts, jacks and lifting equipment for damage or faults
- Checking brake testers, emissions equipment and diagnostic systems are functioning correctly
- Ensuring inspection pits (where present) are clean, protected and safely accessible
- Verifying lighting and ventilation systems are working effectively
- Checking workshop floors and walkways for oil spills, slips or trip hazards
- Inspecting electrical equipment and cables for visible damage
- Ensuring fire extinguishers, exits and emergency access routes remain clear and accessible
- Confirming PPE is available and in suitable condition for use
- Checking exhaust extraction systems where fitted
Some inspections may be completed daily before the bay is used, while others form part of scheduled maintenance and servicing programmes carried out by competent contractors or engineers.
Click here for our ‘MOT Testing Risk Assessment’