Car Lifts: 2 Post, 4 Post and Scissor Lifts Compared
Short answer: there are three main types of car lift. A 4 post lift is the easiest to use and can park one car above another. A 2 post lift takes less space and leaves the wheels free for brakes and suspension. A scissor lift keeps the floor clear but is not made for parking. With us prices start at £1,450 for a scissor lift, £1,700 for a 2 post lift and £2,800 for a 4 post lift, delivered.
| 2 post lift | 4 post lift | Scissor lift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking a second car | Hard, posts block the doors | Yes, if the ceiling allows | No |
| Ease of use | Arms set on lifting points | Drive on and lift | Drive on, set pads |
| Wheels free | Yes | Needs a middle jack (+£650) | Yes on wheels-free models |
| Floor space | Least | Most | Clear floor when lowered |
| Price from, delivered | £1,700 | £2,800 | £1,450 |
Scissor lifts
Scissor car lifts are not the best for garage parking, since parking under them is impossible. They are made for lifting a car for work, not for long-term storage. For tyres, brakes and bodywork they are excellent: see scissor lift vs 2 post lift.
That leaves the two most popular home options: 4 post and 2 post lifts. Consider these six points when deciding which suits you.
1. Home parking
You can create extra parking space at home with a 4 post lift if you have the building height. Parking one vehicle beneath another is popular with car collectors, especially for classic and sports cars. A 2 post lift has its posts in line with the middle of the vehicle, which makes it hard to open the doors of a car parked underneath. The posts of a 4 post lift are at the corners, so nothing blocks the sides. Check your height first: garage ceiling height for a car lift.
2. Convenience and ease of use
2 post lifts are frame engaging: two pairs of arms hold the vehicle by its lifting points, which differ between vehicles and need care to set. A 4 post lift only needs you to drive onto the runways and park, with no guesswork about alignment.
3. Safety
Setting the arms on the correct lifting points is essential on a 2 post lift. Get it wrong and the vehicle can be unbalanced. A 4 post lift carries the car on its wheels, which many home owners find reassuring for heavier vehicles and long-term storage.
4. Garage space
Both types use the height of your garage, but a 2 post lift takes less floor space and suits smaller garages and budgets. For low ceilings look at the Short 3500kg 2 Post Lift. If space is not a problem, the 4000kg 4 Post Lift with 5,000mm runways gives the most flexibility.
5. Installation
Lifts are heavy and the floor must be checked: a 2 post lift needs at least 5 inches of concrete with a compression strength of at least 3,000 PSI. Unless you are a professional, leave it to engineers. Ours install across England and Wales and the job takes about a day. See car lift installation and how to install a 2 post lift.
6. Cost
2 post lifts are generally cheaper than 4 post lifts because they use less material. The convenience and parking of a 4 post lift can be worth the extra. Full price list: how much does a car lift cost in the UK.
Still not sure? Try our garage fit calculator or read 2 post lift v 4 post.
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.
