MOT Type 1 is not designed to be free-draining. While it isn't completely waterproof like concrete, it contains a high proportion of dust and very small particles that fill the gaps between the larger stones to create a rock-solid, load-bearing surface. When properly compacted, the dust and particles settle together and significantly slow down water flow.












MOT Type 1 Sub Base Bulk Bag (800kg)
| 3+ bags | 5+ bags | 7+ bags |
| £52.24ex. VAT | £51.98ex. VAT | £49.88ex. VAT |
Volume to fill
Express Delivery
Tue 15 Sep
Standard Delivery
Wed 16 Sep
- 0days
- 21hrs
- 17mins
- 24secs
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Key Features
- {{home_work}} For both commercial and domestic use
- {{thumb_up_alt}} Complies with SHW Clause 803
Technical Specification
| URN: | 6001007 |
|---|---|
| Product: | MOT Type 1 |
| Application: | Driveways, Patios, Road Sub-bases |
| Material Type: | Crushed Carboniferous Limestone/Granite |
| Size: | Bulk Bag |
| Weight: | 800kg |
| Sales Unit: | Bag |
| Density: | 1700kg/m3 |
| Product Standard: | SHW Clause 803 / BS EN 13242 |
| Grade: | 40mm down to dust |
| Colour: | Shades of Grey to Brown |
| Status: | Non-Returnable |
Product Overview
Supplied in an 800kg bulk bag, this MOT Type 1 sub-base is a 40mm-to-dust graded aggregate for creating compacted foundations beneath driveways, patios, paths and shed bases. It complies with SHW Clause 803 and typically covers approximately 4-5m² when installed at a compacted depth of 100mm.
The material provides consistent load-bearing capacity for surfaces subjected to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. It is engineered to compact into a dense, low-permeability layer, making it suitable for applications where structural stability is the primary requirement. This product is supplied in an 800kg bulk bag.
Please Note: Product may arrive in shades of grey to brown. Moisture content affects weight; each bag may vary by +/- 5%. Quality and grading remain consistent.
Features & Benefits
- Clause 803 MOT Type 1 compliance: Approved to the Specification for Highway Works, ensuring suitability for demanding sub-base use.
- Graded crushed aggregate (40mm to dust): Compacts tightly with minimal voids, delivering strength and stability.
- Dense interlocking structure: Withstands frost and resists movement, safeguarding finished surfaces.
- Versatile foundation material: Suitable across domestic, commercial, and civil engineering projects.
- Durable load-bearing capacity: Distributes heavy loads evenly, preventing rutting and settlement in finished works.
- 800kg bulk bag supply: Reduces downtime and reordering, keeping larger projects on schedule.
- HIAB crane offloading: Delivered via a vehicle equipped with a heavy-duty crane arm to allow for precise kerbside placement. Ensure the delivery site has sufficient access for a large HGV and is clear of overhead obstructions for crane operation.
Applications
- Paving and Patios: Acts as the primary sub-base layer to prevent sinking, shifting, or cracking of paving slabs or block paving.
- Driveways: Creates a robust foundation capable of withstanding the weight of residential vehicles without developing ruts or potholes.
- Pathways and Walkways: Offers a stable foundation for public footpaths and garden paths to suppress weed growth from below.
- Artificial Grass: Standard 75mm-100mm sub-base specification provides a firm, load-bearing foundation beneath the final sharp sand and turf layers.
- Shed and garden building bases: A 100mm compacted layer of MOT Type 1 provides a stable, interlocking sub-base for timber-framed sheds, summerhouses, and garden offices. The angular crushed stone creates a firm, load-bearing platform that resists settlement and improves drainage beneath the structural floor.
- Car Parks: Provides a high-density sub-base capable of supporting the repeated, heavy-load demands of commercial or public parking areas.
- Road and Highway Construction: Serves as the industry-standard, certified material for the base layer of public roads and highways.
- Temporary Site Access: Functions as a hard standing on construction sites to support heavy machinery and prevent equipment from bogging.
- Fill Material: Utilised for trench backfilling, over-site fills, and general levelling to prepare uneven ground.
Coverage Guidance
The guide below shows what one standard 800kg bag will cover based on typical project depths
- 50mm Compacted Depth: This depth is typical used for paths and light-use areas, and will cover 8-10m².
- 100mm Compacted Depth: This depth is typical used for patios and shed bases, and will cover 4-5m²
- 150mm Compacted Depth: This depth is typical used for domestic driveways, and will cover 2-3m²
Take the guesswork out of your project by using our calculator at the top of the page to find exactly what you need.
Installation Guidance
- Site preparation: Clear the area of vegetation and topsoil to reach a stable sub-grade, ensuring a slight fall for water runoff if required.
- Geotextile placement: Install a geotextile membrane across the entire area to prevent the sub-base from migrating into the underlying soil.
- Layer distribution: Spread the aggregate evenly to a depth of at least 100mm; for depths exceeding 150mm, apply the material in two separate layers.
- Compaction: Apply force using a mechanical vibrating plate compactor to each layer until the surface is firm and shows no measurable movement.
- Finishing: Verify final levels to ensure the substrate is perfectly prepared for the paving or concrete layer, maintaining the intended slope.
Compliance & Performance
- Material specification: Crushed rock, slag, or concrete meeting Department of Transport specifications for granular sub-bases.
- Highway compliance: Certified material meeting Clause 803 of the Specification for Highway Works.
- Permeability notice: Because this material contains fine dust that fills the gaps between stones, it does not allow water to pass through easily; therefore, it should not be used for drainage systems designed to soak water into the ground.
- Important note: Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves and eye protection when handling, as the material can be abrasive and dusty.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently highlight this MOT Type 1 sub-base as a top-tier choice, praising its excellent compaction and consistent quality across a variety of projects, including driveways, patios, and shed bases. Beyond the product itself, users frequently rave about the company’s helpful online project calculator, which makes it easy to order the correct amount of material and eliminates guesswork. Furthermore, customers are highly satisfied with the seamless service, noting reliable, on-time deliveries and skilled drivers who go the extra mile to position bulk bags exactly where needed.
Summarised by AI from customer reviews.
Delivery & Returns Information
Delivery charges vary by product category and order value. Items may ship from different suppliers and arrive separately, so delivery charges can be shown per part of your order at checkout.
Standard (Nationwide) Delivery
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Core Products Core
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|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £200 ex. VAT | £15 ex. VAT |
| Over £200 ex. VAT | FREE |
Core Delivery is our most competitive delivery fee. To qualify for Core Delivery, all the products in your basket need to be from our Core range. Core products have the Core icon next to their picture.
| Timber & Sheet, Building Materials, Joinery and Gardens & Landscaping Products | |
|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £300 | £30 ex. VAT |
| Over £300 ex. VAT | FREE |
Express Delivery
| Express Delivery - Timber & Sheet, Building Materials, Joinery and Gardens & Landscaping Products | |
|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £300 | £50 ex. VAT |
| Over £300 ex. VAT | £35 ex. VAT |
How delivery works
We work with a nationwide network of trusted suppliers. Items in your basket may be supplied by different suppliers and delivered separately. Where this applies, you will see delivery charges shown at checkout for each part of your order. We always aim to group products from the same supplier to keep delivery costs as low as possible.
Delivery areas
Delivery charges apply to mainland UK, excluding: AB, CA, CF, DD, DG, EH, EX, FK, KA, KW, KY, IV, LA, LD, LL, ML, NP, PA, PH, PL, SA, SY, TR, TQ and TD.
If your address is in one of these areas, we will contact you before processing your order to confirm any additional costs. We do not currently offer delivery outside the UK mainland.
What to expect on delivery day
- Deliveries are typically kerbside.
- Please ensure someone is on-site to accept delivery. For heavier items, help with offloading may be required.
- Many building materials arrive on large vehicles. If access is restricted, a specialist vehicle such as a HIAB may be required and could incur an additional charge.
Why delivery can cost more than typical parcel delivery
Building materials often travel on larger vehicles and usually carry fewer drops per run than parcel networks. That is why delivery charges can be higher than standard e-commerce shipping.
Returns
Returns depend on what you have bought and whether there is anything wrong with it. For full details on eligibility, timeframes, and exclusions, please see our full policy.
Questions and Answers
Does water drain through MOT Type 1?
Should you wet MOT Type 1 before compacting?
Yes, you should lightly mist MOT Type 1 before compacting, but you must avoid soaking it. Adding a small amount of water is a professional technique used to achieve maximum density.
How many bulk bags of type 1 do I need?
To calculate the quantity needed, multiply the area (square meterage) by the depth and then by 2.2 to find the total tonnage, as compacted MOT Type 1 is much denser than loose stone. You can simplify this process by using the calculator available on our product page to ensure you order the perfect amount for your project.
How do I compact MOT type 1?
To compact MOT Type 1 effectively, you must use mechanical force (like a wacker plate) to lock the various sizes of stone together into a solid, load-bearing mass. Simply treading it down or using a hand rammer is usually insufficient for structural projects like driveways or patios.
How deep should MOT type 1 sub-base be?
The depth of your MOT Type 1 sub-base depends entirely on the intended load - whether you are walking on it or driving a vehicle over it. Footpaths & Patios: 50mm - 100mm Standard Domestic Driveways: 100mm - 150mm Heavy Traffic/Soft Ground: 200mm+
What's the difference between type 1 MOT and type 3 MOT?
Type 1 MOT contains crushed stone and fines (dust), which helps it compact tightly and create a strong, solid base - ideal for driveways, patios, and general foundations. Type 3 MOT is similar in size but has no fines, making it free-draining - perfect for permeable driveways and areas where water drainage is important.
Is this 20mm sub base?
MOT Type 1 contains varying sizes of stone within it. These range from 40mm down to dust. When the material is compacted, these stones are crushed and consolidated into a firm sub-base or foundation suitable for many applications.
How much MOT+Sand+Cement require for 100 sq meter with 100 mm thickness
To answer the question accurately we would need some more detail, such as the application the materials are being used for. However, the following might give you some guidance which we hope will be useful. For a patio/paved area that is to be used for walking on only, the total depth of 100mm could be divided into 50mm of MOT Type 1, and 50mm of a sand/cement mortar bed to lay the paving onto. A typical mix for paving mortar is 5:1. In this case you would need approximately 11.5 tonnes or 14 bulk bags of MOT 1, 8 tonnes or 10 bulk bags of sharp sand , and 64 bags of 25kg cement. Due to the nature of landscaping, quantities will vary, and the amounts will obviously change if the ratio of MOT to mortar is adjusted. We would always recommend surveying very carefully before ordered, and consulting a professional builder or landscaper if in doubt.
What size area will this cover please?
The area covered depends on the depth, or thickness, of the material being installed. However, please note the following general guidance: Footpath: The recommended depth to lay MOT is 50mm (compacted) - so our bulk bag would cover approximately 8-10 square metres. Patio: The recommended depth to lay MOT is 100mm (compacted) - so our bulk bag would cover approximately 4-5 square metres. Driveway: The recommended depth to lay MOT is 150mm (compacted) - so our bulk bag would cover 2-3 square metres.