REDATS – How to choose tyre service and car repair tools

5 questions to ask before choosing your lift

by Tomasz Szymański

Mark just bought a new lift. He had been waiting for it for a long time. Everything looked perfect – until the equipment arrived at the car service.

And that’s when the problems began.

  • The floor? Too thin to safely install the lift.
  • You can’t even get a tool cabinet past the column, because there’s no space between the column and the wall.
  • And on top of that – the lift arms are too short to handle long vehicles.

The result? Instead of making his job easier, Marek created more problems for himself.

Before you order a lift – ask yourself these 5 simple but crucial questions.
They could save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

1. What’s your floor like – and can it handle the lift you want to buy?

Before you click “Buy now,” stop for a second. And take a look… under your feet.
Even the best lift won’t help if your floor can’t support it.
Check these four things:

  • Concrete thickness – for two-post lifts, you usually need at least 30 cm of concrete.
  • Concrete class – B25 or higher is a safe bet.
  • Mounting surface – make sure it’s flat and large enough to secure the lift properly.

👉 Got a thinner slab? No problem – look for a lift with a reinforced base frame. In that case, 20 cm of flooring is all you need.

👉 Don’t want to drill or anchor the lift permanently? Go for a mobile scissor lift with a platform and wheels. Roll it out, get the job done, roll it back. Easy.

2. Do you need a lift you can move or store away?

In the previous section, we mentioned mobile scissor lifts. Now it’s time to take a closer look – because they can solve more problems than you might think.

If you’re working in a tight space, doing seasonal jobs, or simply don’t want to install the lift permanently – a mobile lift could be exactly what you need.

  • After work? Just push it to the corner and free up your floor.
  • Need something flexible? Move it exactly where the action is.

Bonus: some models run on a standard 230V socket – making them even easier to use in various conditions.
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3. Will you have enough space to open the doors and work around the vehicle once it’s lifted?

You know the situation: the car is up… and you can’t open the door. Or you’re squeezing between the fender and the wall like it’s PE class all over again.

It’s a more common issue than you might think. Many mechanics focus only on the lift’s dimensions – and forget about the space around it.

Ask yourself a few simple questions:

  • Can you open the door without hitting the wall?
  • Can you get in and out of the car without awkward gymnastics?
  • Can you comfortably reach the wheels, suspension, or bumper?

Exactly. That’s why it’s worth checking how much space you really need.

In practice: 

  • Check the total width of the lift (e.g., REDATS L-205 = 3648 mm) 
  • Add at least 1 meter of space on each side

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4. What kinds of vehicles do you service – and will their wheelbase fit on the lift?

Not every lift is made for every vehicle. A platform that’s too short might make it impossible to lift the car safely.

Here’s what to check:

  • Arm length (for two-post lifts):
    If you work with larger SUVs or vans, go for lifts with telescopic arms. These make it easier to position lifting points – even with unusual wheelbases.

  • Platform or ramp length (for scissor and four-post lifts):
    Check the maximum vehicle length the lift can handle. For vans or longer vehicles, look for a platform at least 4-4.5 meters long.

  • Vehicle wheelbase:
    Make a list of the cars you work on most often, and compare their specs with the lift’s technical parameters.

5. Can low cars drive onto the lift without scraping?

Not every lift can handle a car with low ground clearance. If you service sports cars or lowered vehicles – make sure to check the minimum height of the lift before you buy.

What should you look at?

Minimum arm or platform height:
Look for models starting at 10-11.5 cm. That’s the only way you’ll easily slide the arms under a low car’s side skirt – without ramps or risky improvisation.

Summary

Not every lift purchase has to end in frustration and extra costs (like it did for one unfortunate mechanic).

Sometimes all it takes is asking yourself a few specific questions before hitting “Buy now.” These five questions are a great starting point.

If you want to learn more about car lifts, be sure to check out our latest articles:

And once you know what you’re looking for – check out the range of REDATS lifts.