Why RS Garage Equipment Can Save You Time & Money
When it comes to keeping your workshop running smoothly, RS Garage Equipment is the partner you can rely on:
Clients benefit from our expertise in Brake Testing Equipment for:
- HGVs / PSVs
- Coaches
- Class 4 and 7 brake testers – smaller vehicles
Here’s why:
- Experts in Our Products: Clients benefit from our expertise, we specialise in our own range, not dozens of makes. That ensures our team knows every detail and can solve issues faster, saving you time.
- Direct Support, No Waiting: Call us and speak straight to someone who can help — no delays.
- Nationwide Coverage: Wherever you are, our team can reach you quickly to provide service and support.
- Fast, Reliable Service: Minimise downtime with rapid, accurate solutions from people who know your equipment inside out.
- Proactive Advice: We don’t just fix problems — we help you optimise and maintain your equipment for peak performance. Through our deep understanding gained over 20+years of servicing the world of vehicle maintenance we can point our solutions before they become problems.
- Trusted Across the Country: Many workshops and ATFs across the UK and covering the whole spectrum of the transport industry, including many household names rely on RS Garage Equipment for our expert, dependable service.
To Summarise:
Clients of RS Garage Equipment, saves time through our quick response and expertise in solving problems. By minimizing downtime and keeping your vehicles on the road that helps keep cost in check. Overall RS Garage Equipment offers a reliable, efficient and effective service to all our clients which you can count on — every time.
TRUSTED BY OUR NATIONWIDE CLIENTS
Case Study: Upgrading HGV Commercial Brake Testers - We Examine Two Clients
The Challenge
Both Parks of Hamilton (in their Plymouth location), and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service had commercial brake test equipment in their workshops — but that equipment couldn’t be updated to the latest ATF DVSA software*. This posed a risk to compliance and limited the functionality of their existing systems.
Our Solution
RS Garage Equipment stepped in to retrofit both facilities with our Saxon ATF brake testers. We measured the existing brake tester cassettes and designed Saxon units to fit perfectly into the current setups.
Fast, Efficient Installation
Both installations were completed in just one day, minimising downtime and allowing the workshops to continue operating smoothly.
The Results
- Full compliance with the latest ATF DVSA software
- Minimal disruption to daily operations
- Long-term support: all Saxon brake testers installed in the UK over the past 28 years can be updated to the latest software
- Cost-effective solution that maximises the lifespan and value of the equipment
Why It Matters
At RS Garage Equipment, we believe that a brake tester is a long-term investment. Our Saxon ATF retrofit ensures your equipment stays up to date, fully supported, and performing at its best — for years to come.
*Coming in to law after 31st December 2025 there are new regulations covering brake testing vehicles which apply to all Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) in the UK must have updated software for their HGV and PSV roller brake testers.
RS Garage Equipment, as a leading supplier of brake testing equipment and software, has already helped many ATF sites become compliant. If you have concerns that your site might not comply please do get in touch and we can investigate further please call 0800 302 9407.
Parks of Hamilton is a leading coach operator of various size vehicles based in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, with a proud reputation for safety.
Photo courtesy of route-one.net.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service serves a population of almost 1.5 million people with 50 fire stations to ensure a quick response. To ensure a safe response the maintenance team needed to be able to check the vehicle fleet brakes.
Important ATF software update
Did You Purchase Your HGV / PSV Brake Testing System Before June 2024?
If YES – then you may need to take action.
Has your brake testing software been up-graded since you purchased your system?
If NO, “our brake testing software is what came with the system”, then you have until the 31st December 2025 to update it.
Latest ATF Software updates
The DVSA has reminded all ATF sites that HGV and PSV brake testers need to be updated by 31 December 2025.
Help Updating Your Brake Testing Software
At RS Garage Equipment, we can carry out this update for you. Lead times may vary depending on demand, so arranging it in advance will help ensure everything is ready for 2026 without disruption.
Why these changes are being introduced
- To enhance road safety by ensuring brake testing is more accurate and better reflects real-world driving conditions.
- To provide vehicle operators with clearer, more informative test reports — not just pass or fail, but also helpful warnings and advisories so potential issues can be resolved early.
- To standardise performance and calibration, making results more consistent and comparable across all ATF sites.
1. Timeline and Deadlines
- From June 2024, all new ATF roller brake testers must be supplied with the updated software.
- All existing testers must have the software updated by 31 December 2025.
- Some deadlines have been extended to give ATFs additional time to plan and budget.
- Note: Even if your brake tester is not installed at an ATF site, it is still recommended to carry out this software update to ensure accuracy and alignment with current standards.
2. Updated Software Requirements
All ATF roller brake testers must operate on the new software that meets revised DVSA specifications. This includes updated algorithms, revised limits, and improved reporting features.
3. Key Features and Improvements
The updated software introduces several enhancements to make brake testing more consistent, transparent, and safer:
- Improved reports and printouts: Clearer details of brake performance, including advisories for items close to limits, helping operators understand why a test passed or failed.
- Real-time alerts and warnings: Identifies issues such as binding brakes or marginal performance during testing, allowing immediate action.
- Drawbar trailer testing routines: Adds capabilities that older software versions did not cover.
- Standardised split tests: Ensures consistent application across different Brake-Testers.
- Enhanced calibration and accuracy: Flags when testers are out of calibration and applies stricter requirements for weighing system traceability to national standards.
4. Consequences of Non-Compliance
ATFs that do not update their software by the deadline may find their brake testers non-compliant with DVSA standards, potentially preventing them from legally conducting tests or exposing them to regulatory action.
Brake Testing For Road Maintenance Vehicles
Hazell & Jefferies is a highly successful road builder and resurfacing business plus ancillary services, operating a wide range of vehicles.
- Tankers
- 8 wheelers
- Skip lorries
- On site concrete mixers
- To name but a few
To meet their needs Hazell & Jefferies elected to go with a B99 ATF which can handle a very wide range of vehicles up to 18 tonnes. The soft start motor is rated 15Kw..
For more information please give us a call on 0800 302 9407.
A Hazell & Jefferies Vehicle Approaches The Brake Rollers
VOSA APPROVED BRAKE TESTERS
VOSA Approved Brake Test Equipment
They recognised that to help keep control of their costs of vehicle maintenance that brining their brake testing in-house would save money. Ensure they had control over the scheduling of brake testing and speed up any retesting required. The Brake tester was supplied with the Tablet control, this allows one person to operate the brake tester following the semi automatic control.
Once the test is finished they have the option to print off or email the results to their main office.
One other consideration is that vehicles needed to be fully loaded to have their brakes tested. Clearly that is easier in your own yard compared to sending a vehicle to an external company.
PROTECTED Brake Testing For Road Maintenance Vehicles
PROTECTED Confirm Manufacturers Claims!
PROTECTED Mobile Brake Tester or Static Brake Testing
PROTECTED Plan Your Brake Testing Equipment For An Electric Future
PROTECTED Trailer Brakes Avoid Crashing
Bus Brake Testing – Saving Money
You only want to fit brake testing equipment for your bus fleet once – with our installation you will have the peace of mind that you are choosing a trusted supplier. From an initially survey, quote, installations to the 6-monthly calibration you can rely on RS Garage Equipment.
With the requirement to test bus brakes between every 4 to 12 weeks it makes a lot of commercial sense to look at bringing this in-house. That way you can schedule the work to suit your operational needs. Minimise downtime for your vehicles. If remedial action is required – you can retest quickly to ensure the work has been completed successfully.
Our bus brake testing equipment will give either a pass or fail. Our brake testing equipment uses the latest DVSA software to determine the overall result.
For more information please give us a call on 0800 302 9407.
Bakers coach about to be Brake Tested
Kingsferry Coach being brake tested
VOSA Approved Brake Test Equipment
Kingsferry Coaches are another client who have recognised the cost benefits of bringing their coach testing in-house.
PROTECTED Bus Brake Testing – Saving Money
PROTECTED Confirm Manufacturers Claims!
PROTECTED Mobile Brake Tester or In-Ground Brake Testing
PROTECTED Trailer Brakes Avoid Crashing