What Are MOT Aggregates?

If you work in the construction industry, particularly if you’ve been involved in the creation of roads, driveways or other hard surfaces, there’s a good chance you’ve come across MOT aggregates. In this article, the Aggregates Express team is going to be taking a look at exactly what they are, what they’re used for and what sets them apart from other kinds of aggregates.

What are MOT aggregates?

Short for “Ministry of Transport”, MOT aggregates are an approved kind of granular sub-base material that is created from crushed concrete or rubble. They were initially created for use in the construction of motorways, but the scope of their application has been expanded to include things like driveways, car parks and industrial yards.

MOT aggregates can be split into four different types, each varying in coarseness and used for different applications. Let’s take a look at each type.

MOT Types:

MOT Type 1

The most commonly used type of aggregate, MOT Type 1 is made up of a mixture of recycled and quarried rock and stone, and is suitable for a wide range of applications. It’s also usually the cheapest kind of MOT aggregate, and as it can be a by-product of demolition, it may contain remnants of wood, plastic, glass and metal.

MOT Type 2

This grade of aggregate is coarser than MOT Type 1, and is normally used for applications that require a more substantial base layer, for example, heavy-duty industrial yards or other areas with lots of heavy foot traffic.

MOT Type 3

This is a much finer grade of aggregate than the previous two, so lends itself to lighter applications where only a thin sub-base is required. Think footpaths and cycle paths.

MOT Type 4

The coarsest grade of aggregate, MOT Type 4 is reserved exclusively for the largest, most heavy-duty projects, such as airport runways.

MOT Type 1 Applications

As the most affordable and commonly used type of MOT aggregate, we thought that it makes sense to zoom in and take a look at its most common applications. Here are some of the different things you might use MOT Type 1 for:

• Roads
• Pavements
• Drives
• Car Parks
• Patios
• Garden paths
• Trench fills
• Over-site fills

MOT Type 1 is often used as a replacement for limestone and granite aggregates, as their availability tends to be much more limited, which in turn makes them more expensive. With MOT Type 1, you can expect crushed concrete and rubble of all kinds, made of pieces larger than 40mm right down to dust. The variability of this kind of aggregate adds to its versatility, and still packs down to form a tight, compact, strong sub-base.

Where to buy MOT Type 1 aggregates

If you’re looking for MOT Type 1 aggregates, choose Aggregates Express. We can provide Ministry of Transport-approved aggregates of all kinds, including recycled crushed concrete and granite loose load. We offer free delivery within a 25-mile radius of our depots, and we even have a handy aggregate calculator to make ordering a breeze.

Buy From The Best!

At Aggregates Express, we’re your one-stop shop for all things aggregates. No matter where you are in Watford, Milton Keynes or Hertfordshire, you can buy your aggregates online and have them delivered straight to you, so you can keep your project ticking over. Give us a call today on 0800 808 5721 for more information.