Electrical Safety for London Car Repair Garages and MOT Centres

Car repair garages, MOT centres, tyre fitters and body shops across London depend on electrical equipment all day: vehicle lifts, compressors, diagnostic equipment, welders and, more and more, chargers for electric and hybrid vehicles. Oil, water, fuel vapour and heavy use make these sites harder on the electrics than most. This guide covers the main checks. It is general information, not legal advice.

Who is responsible

The garage owner or operator must keep the electrical installation and equipment safe for staff and customers. In a leased unit, check which checks fall to the landlord. Insurers and some trade schemes ask for up to date inspection records. For general workshop advice, see our guide to workshops and light industrial units.

Fixed wiring: EICR

Garages are a harsh environment, so they usually need more frequent inspection than offices or shops. An EICR checks distribution boards, three-phase supplies, isolators, sockets and lighting. Our guide to EICRs for commercial units explains the process.

Vehicle lifts, pits and compressors

• Lifts and compressors need dedicated circuits and a local isolator that can be locked off for maintenance.
• Inspection pits are damp and can collect fuel vapour, so lighting and sockets there need suitable fittings.
• Cables and leads across the workshop floor get driven over, so route them overhead or protect them.
• Emergency stops should be easy to reach and tested regularly.

Working on electric and hybrid vehicles

Garages that service electric and hybrid vehicles may need a charger on site to test and return cars charged. A dedicated area for high-voltage vehicle work, with clear signage and isolation, is good practice. Our EV blog covers workplace chargers for small businesses.

Portable tools and equipment

Power tools, inspection lamps, battery chargers and diagnostic equipment wear quickly. Daily visual checks and regular PAT testing help catch damage early. See our guide to PAT testing.

Emergency lighting and fire alarms

With fuel, oil and solvents on site, fire safety matters. Emergency lighting on escape routes and a suitable fire alarm should be set out in the fire risk assessment. See our guide to emergency lighting testing.

Book an inspection

Energy North Ltd inspects garages and MOT centres across North, East and West London with City & Guilds certified electricians, and can work around your bookings. See our EICR service.