TSO Services has strengthened its commercial vehicle brake testing capability with the installation of a new BM18200 roller brake tester from V-Tech Commercial.
Based at Lyons Farm in Slinfold, near Horsham, TSO Services is a well-established commercial vehicle repair and servicing business supporting operators across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. The company works with a wide mix of vehicles, including HGVs, vans, semi-trailers, horseboxes, plant and machinery, providing practical support for operators who need dependable maintenance, inspection and repair services.
Brake testing already forms an important part of the service offered by TSO Services. With commercial vehicle operators under continued pressure to keep vehicles safe, compliant and properly documented, access to accurate rolling road brake testing is a key part of any planned maintenance programme.
To support this demand, TSO Services has now upgraded its existing commercial vehicle brake testing facility with a new BM18200 in-ground roller brake tester, supplied and installed by V-Tech Commercial.
Replacing an older commercial brake testing unit
The new BM18200 has been installed to replace an older commercial vehicle brake-testing unit at the site.
For a busy workshop like TSO Services, this type of investment is about more than simply replacing ageing equipment. It is about keeping the workshop’s brake-testing capability reliable, practical, and suitable for the demands of modern commercial vehicle maintenance.
TSO Services supports customers ranging from large fleet operators through to single-vehicle owners, with services covering scheduled maintenance, PMI inspections, MOT preparation, defect repairs, diagnostics, brake overhauls and breakdown support. For this type of operation, brake testing sits right at the heart of roadworthiness.
DVSA guidance states that HGV and trailer brakes should be tested by a roller brake tester at least four times per year, including at MOT. The same guidance also makes clear that vehicles should be loaded for brake testing, ideally to at least 65% of their total maximum weight, unless they fall into specific exceptions.
That means workshops and operators need reliable brake-testing equipment, clear reports, and a setup that supports real-world commercial vehicle maintenance.
The equipment: BM18200 roller brake tester
The BM18200 is an in-ground roller brake tester designed for light and heavy vehicles with axle loads up to 20,000 kg. One of its key features is integrated hydraulic load simulation, which allows the roller bed to be raised out of the ground during testing.
For commercial vehicle workshops, this is a major advantage. Load simulation helps support meaningful brake performance testing without relying solely on external loading methods, making it well-suited to busy environments where speed, accuracy, and repeatability matter.
The BM18200 is also designed with long-term workshop use in mind. It uses hot-galvanised steel construction, a strong roller bed arrangement, and BM software to support testing, reporting, and operator control. Depending on the final specification, options can include diagnostic printouts, PC or notebook connection, tablet or smartphone control, air or hydraulic pressure measurement and a large display with analogue and digital readouts.
For TSO Services, the new installation gives the team a modern brake-testing platform that supports both day-to-day workshop use and the expectations of commercial vehicle operators who need clear evidence of brake performance.
Site upgrade to support load simulation testing
As part of the wider upgrade at TSO Services, a central rail system was also added to support the load simulation process.
When carrying out load simulation brake testing, chains are fitted to the axle being tested and secured to the central rail. This allows the brake tester’s load-simulation system to apply force during the test, helping create the conditions needed for a meaningful brake performance reading.
Once the axle has been tested, the chains are removed before the vehicle is moved. This is an important part of the testing process, helping ensure the vehicle is handled safely and correctly throughout the brake test.
By combining the new BM18200 brake tester with the additional central rail installation, TSO Services now has a more complete and practical setup for commercial vehicle brake testing. The result is a facility better suited to regular brake performance checks, MOT preparation and ongoing fleet maintenance support.
A practical installation from V-Tech Commercial
We supplied and installed the new BM18200 brake tester at TSO Services, providing a setup suitable for the needs of a busy commercial repair and maintenance operation.
With any in-ground commercial brake tester installation, the detail matters. The equipment needs to be positioned correctly, installed safely and set up so that it works with the flow of the site. Workshops need more than the right product on paper. They need equipment that fits the way the business actually operates.
That is where V-Tech Commercial’s project experience becomes important. From advising on the correct brake tester specification through to supply, installation and handover, our role is to help commercial workshops invest with confidence.
For TSO Services, the new BM18200 forms part of a professional workshop setup built around accurate brake performance testing, vehicle inspection and practical support for operators.
Helping operators stay in control of brake testing
Brake testing is one of the areas where commercial vehicle operators cannot afford guesswork. Poor brake performance can lead to MOT failures, safety concerns, downtime and compliance issues. Clear, repeatable brake testing gives operators better visibility of vehicle condition and helps workshops identify problems before they become more serious.
TSO Services already highlights the importance of calibrated commercial brake testing from its Slinfold site, with the ability to test tractor units, trailers and LGVs/vans. The addition of the BM18200 supports that service with a modern in-ground brake tester designed for demanding commercial use.
For fleet customers, that means access to a workshop that can support maintenance, inspection, preparation and brake performance testing from one location.
For TSO Services, it means the team can continue building on its brake testing service with equipment that matches the scale and seriousness of the work being carried out.
Built for commercial vehicle workshops
Commercial brake testing equipment has to be chosen carefully. The right system depends on the type of vehicles being tested, the workshop layout, the expected test volume, the need for load simulation and the level of reporting required.
The BM18200 is a strong fit for workshops that need an in-ground commercial brake tester capable of handling both light and heavy vehicles. Its 20,000 kg axle load capacity, hydraulic load simulation and flexible specification options make it a suitable choice for operators, maintenance providers and commercial workshops looking to bring more brake testing capability in-house.
At V-Tech Commercial, we work with customers to understand the site, the vehicle mix and the long-term business requirement before recommending a solution. That approach helps ensure the equipment is not only suitable for the vehicles being tested today, but also ready to support the workshop as the business develops.
Another successful commercial brake tester installation
The new BM18200 installation at TSO Services is another example of how we can support established commercial vehicle workshops with specialist brake testing equipment.
For workshops looking to replace older brake-testing equipment, reduce outsourced testing, add new services, or improve control over vehicle inspection and maintenance, investing in the right brake tester can make a real difference. It can save time, improve workflow and help provide the documented brake performance evidence commercial vehicle operators need.
We are pleased to have supplied and installed the new BM18200 for TSO Services and look forward to seeing the equipment support their brake testing service for years to come.
If you are planning a new commercial brake tester installation, upgrading existing equipment or looking at bringing HGV brake testing in-house, speak to one of our CV equipment specialists about the best setup for your workshop.
Call our team on 0208 498 1288 or email sales@v-techuk.com
