Please see the full listing section below for comprehensive specifications, benefits and uses for MOT type 1 — as well as links to inspirational landscaping ideas and do-it-yourself guides.
MOT Type 1
£114.00 inc. VAT
MOT Type 1 is a crushed, well-graded aggregate (40mm down to dust) that forms a strong, reliable sub-base for hard landscaping projects. Our average volume per bulk bag is 0.57m³ on an 850kg weight. Compliant with Department for Transport specifications, it compacts tightly thanks to its mix of stone and fines, delivering excellent load-bearing strength and stability. Perfect for:
- driveways and access roads
- patios and paving bases
- garden paths and footpaths
- shed, summerhouse or greenhouse foundations
- artificial grass installations
This durable material offers superb drainage to prevent water pooling, resists settling or shifting under weight, and provides a solid, level foundation that extends the life of your surfaces. An easy to work choice for creating dependable hard standing areas.
Sub-Base Calculator
Add 5 to 10% for awkward shapes or uneven ground.
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Specifications, Inspirational Ideas & DIY Guides
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Specifications, Why Professionals & Homeowners Choose, Applications, Inspirational Ideas, DIY Guides, Maintenance, Purchasing Tips, FAQs, Related Products
Overview
After compacting MOT type 1 sub-base on hundreds of jobs, from London extensions to South West garden renovations, this crushed aggregate remains my first-choice for building a rock-solid foundation that won’t shift or fail. Meeting full Department of Transport Type 1 specs, the 0-40mm grade blends fines for tight binding with larger fragments for load-spreading strength. Also sold as crusher run, hardcore, or simply MOT aggregate, it locks together under compaction and lets water drain freely, so a good sub-base keeps everything above it dry after weeks of rain. Whether you’re prepping a new driveway, patio, shed base or artificial grass area, this material is mandatory to success. Below I walk through the exact performance I see on site, size-specific advice and everything else you need to know prior to purchasing online.
Specifications
Why Professionals & Homeowners Choose MOT Type 1 Sub-base
This well-graded crushed stone binds into a dense, load-bearing platform that handles heavy traffic and the wettest British winters without fail. From hundreds of jobs, here are the standout results:
- Load-Bearing Capacity: The 0-40mm mix spreads weight evenly; on a two-storey extension sub-base in Wimbledon, it took full site plant and materials for six weeks with zero settlement.
- Rapid Drainage: Water disappears straight through, making it a crucial part of any paving project.
- Superior Interlocking: Angular edges grip without sliding; I’ve used it on several inclined access tracks in the Surrey Hills with no movement.
- Proven Frost Resistance: Properly compacted layers resist heaving.
- Outstanding Value: Serves as both sub-base and fill in one delivery, cutting time and costs.
Here are some examples from previous installations:
Applications
The angular crushed profile of MOT Type 1 sub-base gives the mechanical strength and free-draining voids demanded by proper construction landscaping under block paving, driveways, gravel or slabs.
- Driveway Sub-Bases - The 0-40mm MOT type 1 sub base is the standard choice, laid 150mm compacted beneath block paving or loose gravel for permanent stability.
- Patio Foundations - Use this as the primary hardcore base to keep slabs level for decades.
- Shed & Garage Bases - The full 0-40mm grade in 150-200mm depth gives reliable support on clay or sandy soils alike.
- Trench Backfill - Graded particles create perfect voids for rapid drainage without washing away.
- Temporary Hardstanding & Access Roads - Handles construction traffic or occasional vehicles as a tough, economical road base layer.
Inspirational Ideas
This is the foundation of every path, driveway and patio I've ever laid.
Ben Parrot
The sums I ran for clients on every gravel drive I laid, worked again at this year's prices.
Ben Parrot
From installing hundreds of projects, a heavy-duty membrane is the one layer I never skip
Ben Parrot
DIY Guides
Our calculator estimates your needs, in bulk bags and accounts for compaction in the answer.
Ben Parrot
Get the depths, base and drainage right, and a gravel drive will outlast the car parked on it.
Ben Parrot
Thin gravel on a firm base over deep gravel always. How I build one that looks new after ten years.
Ben Parrot
Maintenance
Once laid and compacted with a vibrating plate, MOT Type 1 needs virtually no attention. On exposed areas a quick rake redistributes any minor surface fines, and a heavy-duty membrane underneath stops weeds pushing up from the soil. After the first winter simply check for any settlement in high-traffic spots.
Purchasing Tips
Measure your area in square metres and factor in 10% extra for settling. Use our sub-base calculator to help estimate the right amount.
If you would rather talk your MOT Type 1 order through with a person, ring Outdoor Aggregates on 0330 043 7585. The office is open 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.
FAQs
What is MOT Type 1 aggregate, exactly?
MOT Type 1 aggregate is a Department for Transport approved, well-graded crushed stone running from 40mm down to dust. The grading is what makes it work: the larger stone spreads load, the fines fill the gaps and bind under compaction, and the result is a stable, free-draining hardcore base for landscaping and construction.
Is MOT aggregate the same as Type 1 aggregate?
Yes. MOT aggregate, MOT Type 1, Type 1 MOT, DTp1, 804 and crusher run all describe the same material. The name changes by region and by trade, the specification does not.
How deep should I lay Type 1 MOT sub-base under a driveway?
For standard residential driveways lay MOT type 1 sub base at 150mm compacted depth over a geotextile membrane; heavier commercial use may need 200mm. Depth is only half of it, and how to lay a sub-base covers getting it compacted properly.
Is MOT type 1 sub base the same as crusher run or hardcore base?
Yes, MOT type 1 sub-base is the same as crusher run or hardcore base.
Can I use MOT Type 1 for patio foundations?
Yes, MOT type 1 sub-base makes an ideal compacted hardcore base for patios, spreading load evenly and preventing movement or cracking in the finished surface.
Does Type 1 MOT provide good drainage?
Yes, the open particle grading in MOT type 1 sub-base provides good drainage, because it allows rapid water percolation, making it perfect for preventing water-logging under driveways, patios and hardstanding areas.
What is the best way to compact hardcore base like MOT sub-base?
The best way to compact hardcore base like MOT sub-base is to whack the material in 100-150mm layers with a vibrating plate compactor, working from the edges inward on a firm sub-grade for maximum density and longevity.
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