Why every workshop needs regular calibration of its testing equipment
If you’re kitting out a new workshop or you’ve just bought some upgrades, you might think you’re all set with the equipment you have.
But even the best equipment won’t stay perfect forever — especially when it comes to the sensitive instruments you use for vehicle testing.
Over time, they’ll need some tweaks: some checkups and adjustments to keep them accurate and precise.
No matter what equipment you buy, it needs regular calibration. And here’s why:
It’s about safety
Testing equipment is designed to prove that vehicles are safe.
But if your test equipment isn’t giving you reliable results — you’re not proving anything.
Calibration is the test that measures the test equipment itself. It’s reassurance that your tests are valid, and that the vehicles you deem roadworthy are as safe as your equipment suggests.
That’s important to your drivers who put their trust in your vehicles. But it’s also important for every other driver on the road: the public that relies on the safety of other vehicles around them.
In some cases, the risks are obvious:
If your brake testers are poorly calibrated, they could be showing that your brakes are performing well — when in reality, your vehicles’ brakes have already deteriorated into a dangerous range.
In other cases, the safety risks are less direct:
A poorly calibrated emissions tester could be showing safe levels of emissions — when in reality, your entire fleet is polluting more than it should be, and slowly contributing to poor public health.
So when it comes to safety and the potential for health risks, every piece of equipment matters. And that means regular calibration is important across the board.
It keeps you compliant
MOT testing comes with strict rules around how often you should calibrate your testing equipment.
If you’re not hitting those targets, it could mean:
- Fines
- Penalties
- Or suspension of your MOT testing privileges.
Each piece of MOT testing equipment comes with its own calibration requirements. If you’re found to be missing the deadlines for regular calibration on just one piece of equipment, you could be blocked from testing vehicles that need to use that piece of equipment.
How often should you calibrate your test equipment?
|
At least every 6 months: |
At least every 12 months: | At least every 2 years: |
| Roller brake testers
Plate brake testers Headlamp aim testers Tyre tread depth gauges |
Decelerometers
Diesel smoke meters |
Salter brake testers |
You’ll save on repairs
High-quality testing equipment doesn’t come cheap — and even the best testing equipment can’t last forever.
So as well as keeping your kit accurate and reliable, regular calibration can act as a health checkup:
If your test equipment is falling out of calibration (and especially if it’s getting worse or more frequent), that could be a sign of a deeper problem with the equipment.
You’ll be able to spot problems at an earlier stage, and get the right maintenance and repairs in place before the problems get worse.
And the result?
You’ll save money on more extensive repairs further down the line, and extend the lifespan of the testing equipment you use — giving you more value out of the capital you invested.
Need some help to calibrate your kit?
Regular calibration of your testing equipment is essential for every fleet owner.
But it won’t be enough on its own:
If you want to keep your test equipment in top condition, you’ll need the regular checkups and maintenance visits of a qualified service engineer — like with our own Afterkare service package, which includes regular calibration of your brake testers to DVSA and manufacturer standards.
So if you’re looking to stay compliant, but you don’t have the skills on hand?
Take a look at our aftercare services for testing equipment — or talk to an expert to see how we can help.