making the right choice
Top 10 Things To Know Before choosing a lift
Making a significant investment in an auto lift should be exciting, not disappointing. Unfortunately, many auto enthusiasts find themselves let down by underpowered equipment or dealing with disreputable companies. At Babco, we’re passionate about ensuring you get the high-quality equipment you deserve and avoid the pitfalls of a bad deal.
To help you make an informed choice, we’ve put together a checklist to guide you through the process of selecting the right car lift. Think of it as a starting point—but remember, thorough research is your most powerful tool. Be proactive, not a victim of poor decisions.
Below, you’ll find our top 10 tips for choosing a car lift. We hope this checklist provides peace of mind and empowers you to make a confident, informed decision.
Availability of Information:
Research plays a crucial role in making the right decision, so be cautious of car lift companies that provide little to no information about their products or business. Reputable companies take pride in their offerings, features, and achievements, and they’re eager to share that information openly. They want their products to be visible and accessible to as many potential customers as possible.
If you’re researching a car lift company and find yourself deep in the search results with no meaningful information, it’s a red flag—they may be hiding something. Similarly, beware of companies that insist you call for details, as this is often a tactic to rely on salesmanship rather than letting the product’s features speak for themselves.
When information is readily available and easy to find, it’s a good sign you’re dealing with a trustworthy company. Don’t fall into the trap of vague promises—reliable businesses value transparency.
Who Really Made it?
Building on the previous tip, a reputable car lift should always have a clearly identified manufacturing company proudly standing behind it. Unfortunately, many so-called “brands” are nothing more than labels created by small-time warehouse dealers, misleading customers into believing the products are their own. In reality, these lifts are often produced in offshore factories with little regard for global safety and quality standards.
When considering a car lift, take the time to research the manufacturer. Look for a comprehensive and professional website or detailed product brochures that provide transparent, verifiable information about the company and its production standards. If such information is unavailable or difficult to find, it’s a warning sign. In such cases, it’s wise to explore alternative options to ensure you’re getting a product you can trust.
Know Thy Garage
Enthusiasm can sometimes overshadow practicality, so it’s crucial to stay grounded when planning for a car lift. Start by carefully measuring your garage—not once, not twice, but at least three times—to ensure accuracy. Alterations to accommodate a lift are rare and can be expensive, so getting it right the first time is essential.
Consult with local installers to confirm the minimum space requirements for your chosen lift. Cross-check the lift’s dimensions online or by speaking directly with the supplier. If possible, visit a dealership, shop, or even a neighbor who owns the model you’re considering. Most lift owners are proud of their setup and are usually happy to give you a tour.
Also, don’t overlook essential details like the location of your electrical outlets, whether a compressor is needed for the locks, and whether your garage’s concrete can handle the bolts required to secure the lift.
Familiarizing yourself with your garage’s layout and limitations is key to a smooth installation. Keeping a quick-reference notebook with your garage’s critical measurements and specifications is a great way to stay organized and prepared throughout the process.
Company Reputation
When you look beyond the marketing buzz, you’ll uncover valuable insights about the company behind your prospective auto lift. Online forums and garage-focused message boards can be excellent sources of unfiltered opinions, offering real-world perspectives on your potential purchase. However, it’s important to approach these opinions with caution—feedback often skews toward extremes, with criticism or praise that may not fully reflect reality.
Use these insights as part of your research, but remember that the truth usually lies somewhere in between. Stay alert for potential shills—salespeople posing as unbiased users to promote their products. If bold claims raise your skepticism, don’t hesitate to ask for proof, such as photos or documentation.
Another key factor to consider is the company’s longevity. A business with a long history is more likely to have built a solid reputation and developed positive customer relationships. Established companies are also better positioned to provide ongoing support, honor warranties, and supply replacement parts when needed. In short, a company’s track record speaks volumes about its reliability and commitment to its customers.
The Right Price
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing: the value you get from your car lift should align with the price you pay. Take the time to shop around for the best deal, but stay true to a pre-determined list of non-negotiable features and requirements.
Keep in mind that the ideal car lift for your needs is rarely the most expensive or the cheapest option. Instead, it’s the one that offers the perfect balance between cost and benefits—providing the features you need at a price that makes sense.
Remember, you often get what you pay for. With a bit of patience, you might even score extra value by catching a sale or promotional offer from a reliable retailer.
The Warranty
Even the highest-quality automotive lift is still a machine, meaning it’s not immune to human error or unexpected failures. That said, the right safety systems and precautions can significantly reduce the risk of serious issues (more on that below).
Reputable car lift manufacturers acknowledge this reality and back their products with warranties covering the frame, moving parts, and sometimes labor, with coverage levels varying based on their pricing structure.
However, a warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Be sure to research how long the business has been around to ensure their promises aren’t just empty words. A company with a solid track record is far more likely to stand by its commitments and provide reliable support when you need it.
The ALI Seal of Approval
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) certification is the only globally recognized standard for car lifts across all designs. ALI is an impartial organization composed of engineers, designers, industry experts, and professionals who use third-party laboratory testing to establish and enforce safety standards far exceeding those set by government or municipal agencies.
What happens if you purchase a non-certified car lift? Unfortunately, many business owners find out the hard way, facing fines or even business closures due to non-compliance when local inspectors step in. Yes, it happens—and more often than you might think.
ALI/ETL certification is a significant benchmark in the automotive lift industry, but earning it isn’t easy. Manufacturers must meet rigorous UL, ETL, and ANSI safety standards, which require substantial investment and expertise. As a result, many uncertified lifts flood the market, but their lower cost comes at a potentially steep risk. ALI certification exists to protect consumers who may not have the technical expertise to assess a lift's structural integrity or safety features.
If you’re an expert in engineering, tensile strengths, and redundant safety systems, you might feel confident purchasing a non-certified lift. However, if safety and peace of mind are priorities, an ALI/ETL-approved lift is the clear choice. The world’s most reputable lift manufacturers are ALI members and routinely submit their products for testing and recertification, underscoring the importance they place on meeting these high standards.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. But for reliability, safety, and trust, we strongly recommend prioritizing ALI/ETL-certified lifts—or at the very least, choosing a brand with a proven track record. When it comes to your safety and the safety of those around you, certification should never be an afterthought.
Customer Support
This aspect is closely tied to a company’s reputation. Many car lift companies can be charming and accommodating when it’s time to make a sale, but how do they respond when things don’t go as planned? This is where thorough research comes in. By now, you’ve likely narrowed your choices down to a few options. Take the time to investigate each company’s customer support offerings, but don’t stop there—call their support line directly.
When you get in touch, pay attention to their responsiveness and attitude. This interaction will give you insight into their service quality, whether they have a nationwide service network (including coverage in Canada), and how well they know their products and services. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about their return policy, warranty coverage, and how quickly they can deliver repair parts or send a technician if needed.
Remember, if you ever have to contact them for support, your patience will be tested more than it is during this initial check. If you find yourself frustrated or unsatisfied during this process, it’s a strong sign that you might be dealing with the wrong company.
The Features You Want
If the car lift you buy doesn’t have the features you wanted, what the heck did you get it for in the first place! This requires a little bit of foresight on your part. Not only do you have to determine the heaviest thing you’re likely going to need to lift, but also how closely the vehicle runs to the ground, the physical dimensions of the largest and the smallest vehicle you’re going to lift and whether or not you’re going to want to easily move your car lift around on casters. Your best bet for future-proofing your car lift is to go with a manufacturer who not only has the features you want, but also offers a lot of optional equipment in the event your needs change.
Find out if your chosen automotive lift company offers extra tall, extra wide, short, narrow, asymmetrical and clearfloor model versions to better fit your personal automotive lifting needs. Ask if they offer truck and van adapters, telescoping arms, bridge jacks, specialized contact pads, casters and frame extensions. Your lift’s ability to adapt to the new and unexpected will be the key to your satisfaction for years to come.
Real Engineering
Finally, don’t settle for a rebranded, generic lift. Ensure that your prospective car lift is the result of thoughtful design and engineering by a dedicated team committed to creating the best possible product. When a team takes pride in their work, it shows in the craftsmanship, and you’ll likely feel that same pride in owning it. Additionally, lifts designed with user experience in mind tend to operate more smoothly, as they’re built with real attention to how you’ll use them—rather than just being rushed to market.