Best Car Lift for a Home Garage in the UK (Including Low Ceilings)
Short answer: for most UK home garages the best all-round choice is a 2 post lift such as our 4000kg 2 Post Lift. If your ceiling is low, choose the Short 3500kg 2 Post Lift. If you want to park a second car, choose the 4000kg 4 Post Lift. If the garage is shared or rented, a portable scissor lift you do not bolt down is the safest bet.
Step 1: measure your ceiling
Measure from the floor to the lowest point of the ceiling, including beams, lights and the garage door when it is open. Then use this simple check:
Ceiling height needed = lift height you want + height of your tallest vehicle + a safety gap.
Our 2 post lifts lift up to 1,900mm and the 4000kg 4 post lift up to 1,850mm. You do not have to use full height: stopping lower still gives you room to work, it just means less standing room under the car. Send us your measurement and the cars you work on and we will tell you which lift fits.
Step 2: check the floor
A fixed lift is bolted to concrete. For smaller lifts the concrete needs a compression strength of at least 3,000 PSI and a thickness of at least 5 inches. Many home garages meet this, but older or extended garages sometimes do not, so check before ordering.
Step 3: check the space around the lift
With a 2 post lift, leave at least 60cm beside each post so you can walk past safely. A 4 post lift needs more floor space: the 4000kg model has 5,000mm long runways so it takes long estate cars and vans.
Step 4: pick the type
| Type | Best for | Lift height | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 post lift | Brakes, suspension, exhausts: wheels hang free | Up to 1,900mm | £1,700 |
| Short 2 post lift | Low ceiling home garages | Lower than standard | £1,700 |
| 4 post lift | Parking a second car, MOT-style checks, quick drive on | Up to 1,850mm | £2,800 |
| Portable mid rise scissor | Rented or shared garages, tyres and brakes | Mid height | £1,450 |
| Full rise scissor | Clear floor when lowered, full working height | Full height | £2,700 |
Our picks for a home garage
- Best overall: 4000kg 2 Post Lift. Lifts any car or van up to 4 tonnes, £1,700 delivered or £2,000 installed.
- Best for a low ceiling: Short 3500kg 2 Post Lift. Compact posts, lifts up to 3.5 tonnes, £2,000 installed.
- Best for storage: 4000kg 4 Post Lift. Park one car under another, add the £650 middle jack for wheel work.
- Best if you cannot drill the floor: 2700kg Portable Mid Rise Scissor Lift. About 400kg, moves around on wheels.
Still deciding between two types? Read 2 post vs 4 post lift and scissor lift vs 2 post lift, or check what a car lift costs in the UK.
Questions and answers
Can I put a car lift in a normal home garage?
Often yes. Check the ceiling height, the concrete floor (at least 3,000 PSI and 5 inches thick for smaller lifts) and the space around the lift. If the ceiling is low, a short 2 post lift or a mid rise scissor lift usually fits.
What is the best car lift for a low ceiling?
Our Short 3500kg 2 Post Lift was chosen for low ceilings. For tyres and brakes only, a mid rise scissor lift needs even less height.
Do I need planning permission for a car lift in my garage?
A lift inside an existing garage is equipment, not a building change, so it does not usually need planning permission. Check your lease or deeds if you rent or share the building.
Can you install it for me?
Yes. Our engineers install across England and Wales and show you how to use the lift. Every lift has an 18-month parts warranty.
Not sure which lift fits? Call us on 020 8220 9986 or message us on WhatsApp 07811 247454, every day 9am to 9pm. Send your ceiling height, floor and the cars you work on, and we will tell you which lift fits.
