# Car Lift Types and Brands Compared

Choose the lift type first (two-post, four-post, scissor, parking lift or automated system), then pick an ALI certified model whose capacity and overall height fit your cars and your ceiling.

Updated 2026-10-29. Also on the [web page](https://luxurygaragebuilders.fyi/guides/car-lift-brands-compared).

A car lift is the most-used machine in a collector garage. It stores a second car above the first, or it raises a car for service. Pick the type first, then the brand and model.

## Lift types

**Two-post lift.** Two columns and four arms lift the car by its frame. The wheels hang free, so it suits service work. It is not a parking lift.

**Four-post lift.** The car drives onto two runways. It suits storage, because a second car parks below. Most home storage lifts are this type.

**Scissor lift.** A low frame lifts the car on a scissor mechanism. BendPak says mid-rise scissor lifts "are perfect for home garages with low ceilings" ([BendPak](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/mid-rise-scissor-lifts)).

**Parking lift and stacker.** A lift made only to park cars on two or three levels. KLAUS says its parkers work "with or without a pit"; a pit lowers the bottom car below floor level ([KLAUS](https://multiparking.com/en/)).

**Car elevator and automated system.** A platform moves the car between floors, or a machine stores and returns it. These are custom projects. Ask a garage specialist and a structural engineer early.

## Brands and figures from maker pages

All figures below come from the maker's own page or manual. Check the current spec sheet before you buy.

| Brand and model | Type | Capacity | Height figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| BendPak HD-9 | Four-post | 9,000 lb | Max rise 70 in; column height 88 in |
| BendPak HD-973P | Tri-level parking | 9,000 lb bottom, 7,000 lb top | Max rise 70 in; column height 157.75 in |
| BendPak Autostacker A6S | Platform parking | 6,000 lb | Up to 80 in under-clearance |
| BendPak 10AP | Two-post | 10,000 lb | Rise 69 in; overall height 145 in |
| BendPak 10AP-SRT | Two-post, short rise | 10,000 lb | Rise 42.5 in; overall height 93.5 in |
| Challenger CL10A | Two-post | 10,000 lb | Ceiling height required 12 ft (standard model) |
| Atlas Platinum PVL12 | Two-post | 12,000 lb | Overall height 165 in or 177 in |
| WÖHR Parklift 450 | Parking lift | 2,000 kg or 2,600 kg platform load | Car heights 150 to 220 cm |

Sources: [BendPak HD-9](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hd-9/), [BendPak HD-973P](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/hd-973p-tri-level-parking-lift-9000-lbs-and-7000-lbs-capacity-5175238-bendpak), [BendPak A6S](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/a6s-parking-lift-space-saving-vehicle-storage-autostacker), [BendPak 10AP](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-two-post-lift-clearfloor-10000-pound-capacity-5175304-bendpak), [BendPak 10AP-SRT](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-srt-floorplate-two-post-lift-short-rise-10000-lbs-capacity-5175610-bendpak), [Challenger CL10A manual](https://www.challengerlifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CL10A-IOM-A-2024-06-1190.pdf), [Atlas PVL12](https://www.atlasautoequipment.com/products/ateap-pvl12-fpd/), [WÖHR Parklift 450](https://woehr.de/en/product/parklift-450.html).

**Other brands:**

- **Rotary.** Its two-post range includes 7,000, 10,000 and 12,000 lb models, such as the SPO10 at 10,000 lb ([Rotary Solutions](https://rotarysolutions.com/car-lifts/two-post-car-lifts/)).
- **Mohawk.** It makes two-post lifts "from 7,000 to 30,000 lbs." and says its lifts are made in the USA with a 25-year structural warranty ([Mohawk](https://www.mohawklifts.com/)).
- **Dannmar.** The dannmar.com site now redirects to a section of the BendPak site.
- **Stertil-Koni.** It builds heavy-duty lifts for buses, trucks and industrial vehicles ([Stertil-Koni USA](https://stertil-koni.com/)). It is a commercial brand, not a typical home-garage choice.
- **KLAUS Multiparking.** A German maker of parking systems, based near Memmingen. It makes parkers, semi-automatic and fully automatic systems, and turntables. It says it is represented in more than 80 countries ([KLAUS](https://multiparking.com/en/)).
- **WÖHR.** A German maker of mechanical, semi-automatic and fully automatic parking systems ([WÖHR](https://www.woehr.de/en/)).

## Ceiling height

Overall lift height is not the only limit. Add the height of the car on top, and allow for the garage door, its track and opener, lights and pipes. Ask the maker or installer for the minimum ceiling for your exact model and cars.

## ALI certification

The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) certifies lifts to ANSI/ALI ALCTV. Intertek and MET Laboratories test on ALI's behalf. "Only lifts bearing ALI's gold certification label are certified" ([ALI](https://www.autolift.org/automotive-lift-certification/faq/)). Search every model in the [ALI Directory of Certified Lifts](https://www.autolift.org/ali-directory-of-certified-car-lifts/). ALI says: "If it's not listed, it's not certified."

After installation, have a qualified inspector check the lift at least once a year, as ANSI/ALI ALOIM:2020 requires ([ALI](https://www.autolift.org/get-your-lift-inspected/)).

## Sources

- [BendPak, HD-9 Four-Post Lift](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hd-9/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [BendPak, HD-973P Tri-Level Parking Lift](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/hd-973p-tri-level-parking-lift-9000-lbs-and-7000-lbs-capacity-5175238-bendpak), accessed 2026-10-29
- [BendPak, Autostacker A6S Platform Parking Lift](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/a6s-parking-lift-space-saving-vehicle-storage-autostacker), accessed 2026-10-29
- [BendPak, 10AP Two Post Car Lift](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-two-post-lift-clearfloor-10000-pound-capacity-5175304-bendpak), accessed 2026-10-29
- [BendPak, 10AP-SRT Short-Rise Two-Post Car Lift](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-srt-floorplate-two-post-lift-short-rise-10000-lbs-capacity-5175610-bendpak), accessed 2026-10-29
- [BendPak, Mid-Rise Scissor Car Lifts](https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/mid-rise-scissor-lifts), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Challenger Lifts, CL10A Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual](https://www.challengerlifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CL10A-IOM-A-2024-06-1190.pdf), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Atlas Automotive Equipment, Platinum PVL12 ALI Certified 12,000 lb Overhead Lift](https://www.atlasautoequipment.com/products/ateap-pvl12-fpd/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [WÖHR, Parklift 450](https://woehr.de/en/product/parklift-450.html), accessed 2026-10-29
- [WÖHR, Home](https://www.woehr.de/en/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Rotary Solutions, Two-Post Car Lifts](https://rotarysolutions.com/car-lifts/two-post-car-lifts/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Mohawk Lifts, Home](https://www.mohawklifts.com/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Stertil-Koni USA, Heavy Duty Vehicle Lifts](https://stertil-koni.com/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [KLAUS Multiparking, Home](https://multiparking.com/en/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Automotive Lift Institute, Lift Certification FAQ](https://www.autolift.org/automotive-lift-certification/faq/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Automotive Lift Institute, Directory of Certified Lifts](https://www.autolift.org/ali-directory-of-certified-car-lifts/), accessed 2026-10-29
- [Automotive Lift Institute, Annual Lift Inspections Provide Peace of Mind](https://www.autolift.org/get-your-lift-inspected/), accessed 2026-10-29

## Questions

### How high must my ceiling be for a two-post lift?

It depends on the model. Challenger states a 12 ft ceiling for its standard CL10A. The BendPak 10AP is 145 in tall. Low-rise models such as the BendPak 10AP-SRT are 93.5 in tall but lift only 42.5 in.

### How do I know a lift is ALI certified?

Look for the ALI gold certification label on the lift and check the model in the ALI Directory of Certified Lifts. ALI says that if a model is not listed, it is not certified.

### Is a CE mark the same as ALI certification?

No. ALI says North American electrical officials do not accept CE marking as evidence of compliance, and that ANSI/ALI ALCTV requires testing to UL 201.