19 Dec 2023, 00:00

IF YOU'RE trying to perform maintenance on your car at home, you'll need a way to get it off the ground and this is when a car ramp will come in handy.

Finding the right one for the job is not only a matter of functionality but also of safety.

Car ramps can carry a lot of weight and they keep the vehicle in a steady suspension as you work.

Using them provides adequate space for working on your vehicle but also makes the job safer.

But what are the different ones available? Are they better than jack stands? And which ones are the best car ramps on the market today?

Here's what you need to know.

Are car ramps safer than jack stands?

Car ramps are arguably safer than jack stands, since there’s less chance of human error during fitment.

There’s plenty of options too, from steel to plastic ramps.

Car ramps give you the ground clearance necessary to get under the car by simply driving the vehicle up onto them with the front wheels, parking in the wheel groove and securing the back wheels with chocks.

Are car ramps safe for oil changes?

Sure they are.

If you have the space in front of your vehicle to move your car forward and up onto the vehicle ramps, then you can sort an oil change quickly and conveniently.

If your budget goes far enough, you can invest in two sets to get the whole car off the ground and save the need for wheel chocks.

You’ll need to make sure the ones you pick have the weight capacity for your vehicle.

They aren’t a great option for sports cars with lower ground clearance, where jack stands would be a better alternative.

1. Halfords 2 Tonne Car Ramps

• 2 Tonne Car Ramps, £45 from Halfords- buy here

These bright orange bad-boys from Halfords support up to a tonne per ramp weight capacity.

These car ramps are suitable for tyres up to 185mm wide.

Well-built, they offer ground clearance of 20 centimetres—more than enough to get a good look at the underside of your engine bay.

The diamond-shape design helps the wheels to climb the ascent.

While Halfords 2-tonne car ramps will suit most cars, they’re better for smaller hatchbacks, rather than SUVs, since the wheel stop is relatively short.

Despite this, they store easily and are well-liked for their durability.

2. Laser Car Ramp Low Rise

These low rise Laser car ramps are designed to just take your car slightly off the floor.

Not used for any car maintenance whatsoever, they’re great for storing classic or future classic motors, especially if your car has just been detailed.

Holding up to 5-tonne per pair, these car ramps will only offer seven centimetres of height—accommodating wheels 200mm wide, with an 80mm end stop.

Made of durable polypropylene, any surface upon which you place your prized motor will be protected, even if you conclude that’s your living room.

3. Fastcar Extra Wide Car Maintenance Ramps

• Fastcar Extra Wide Car Maintenance Ramps, £26.50 from Amazon- buy here

The solid build-quality of these heavy duty maintenance ramps from Fastcar give a clearance of 21 centimetres.

Compatible with Ramp Mate car ramp extension (sold separately) for cars with lower ground clearance, these car ramps feature an extra wide design to accommodate the wheels of sportier marques.

A great price, though some users have noted a less than satisfactory welding job on some products, requiring a return.

Shoddy batch only? Perhaps.

Saving is significant if you’re willing to take a punt on your time.

Check them over carefully upon receipt as weld issues reduce safety.

4. SwitZer Metal Vehicle Car Ramp Lift With 2 Ton Hydraulic Jack

SwitZer has outdone itself when it comes to creating the best car ramps.

A pretty penny, these car ramps have a hydraulic jack, offering greater ground clearance from 27 centimetres to 37.5.

The wheel grooves are solid hatched plates, accommodating wheels up to 245mm wide.

Made of heavy duty steel, the SwitZer Metal Vehicle car ramps have a weight capacity of two tonnes each, rather than combined as with the other choices in our guide.

Great for all types of vehicles, particularly SUVs and vans.

Given the extra feature, these aren't the lightest ramps for manoeuvring, thus a purchase doubles up as a gym membership.

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Enjoyed our roundup of the best car ramps? Check out our dedicated Sun Selects motoring section.

To browse our full range of Sun Selects recommendations, be sure to head back to the Sun Selects page.

This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.

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