Most stairlifts have a good long life in them. Whilst some people may use them for only a short time, many customers do have their stairlift installed for many years, sometimes wearing their old one out! With regular servicing and proper care, a well-maintained stairlift can keep going reliably for many years. But there comes a point for some lifts where repair no longer makes sense, and replacing the stairlift is the more practical and cost-effective decision.
This guide explains the signs to look out for, how to weigh up when a repair or replacement should be considered, and what the process looks like if you do decide it’s time for a new lift.
How Long Does a Stairlift Last?
The typical lifespan of a stairlift is a guide of around seven to ten years, though many lifts can go on considerably longer than that with good maintenance. There’s no fixed point at which a stairlift automatically needs replacing as such. It depends on the model, how often it’s been used, how well it’s been serviced, and whether parts are still available when something goes wrong should parts be needed.
Some stairlifts we service are well over ten years old and still running reliably, some even from when we first started in business 20 years ago. Sometimes though others can develop problems earlier. Age alone isn’t necessarily the deciding factor.
Signs Your Stairlift Might Need Replacing
So what things do you need to look out for when deciding if your stairlift might need replacing? Ultimately you should contact a professional stairlift company to get a proper assessment of the situation, however these are the more common scenarios you might want to consider.
Frequent breakdowns. If you’re calling out an engineer regularly and the lift keeps developing faults, perhaps even the same fault is reoccuring, that’s a strong indicator that something more fundamental is wrong. In an older stairlift a few callouts a year is probably normal but repeated problems in a short period could indicated that the lift is reaching the end of its reliable life.
Expensive repair costs. When a major component fails, such as a circuit board or a motor, the repair cost can be significant. If you’re looking at five, six, or seven hundred pounds to fix an older lift, it’s worth pausing to consider whether that money would be better spent putting it towards a replacement. We’ll always give you an honest quote for the repair and a cost for a replacement model, so you can make that comparison and decide for yourself.
Parts no longer available. Stairlift manufacturers eventually stop making parts for older models. When a model becomes obsolete and is no longer manufactured, the manufacturers will keep a stock of parts for a few years for repair purposes. We also have a large stock of parts for past and present stairlifts. However, there comes a time when parts will no longer be available which will mean that at some point your stairlift can no longer be repaired if it needs these parts. When we become aware that a model has been made obsolete, and parts are no longer available, we let affected customers know so they’re not caught off guard.
The lift is running noisy, slowly or struggling. A stairlift that used to run smoothly but has started to feel sluggish, hesitant, or noisier than usual may have underlying issues worth investigating. Sometimes this is a battery issue that can be resolved relatively quickly and easily. Other times it’s a sign of wider wear that makes replacement the better long-term option.
You’re finding your stairlift difficult to use. Over time peoples mobility can deteriorate. What you were once able to do years ago when your stairlift was fitted you might not be able to do now. Do you feel you can transfer on and off the seat safely? Can you operate the controls ok? If you are having difficulty at any time using your existing stairlift or have any concerns, it’s worth having a chat with our engineer or customer service team to see if a different solution might be better for you.
Repair or Replace: How Do We Help You Decide?
We don’t apply a fixed rule, like “replace if the repair costs more than a certain percentage of the replacement cost.” Every situation is different, and the right answer depends on the engineers advice at the time, the age of the lift, the nature of the fault, and what makes sense for the customer.
What we do is give you the full picture to help you decide. Our engineer will assess your stairlift and will diagnose the fault. We will give you honest and upfront advice on the condition of your stairlift and if a repair can be done we’ll give you the cost and availability of spare parts to do the job.
At the same time or following a surveyors visit, we can give you a cost for upgrading to a newer model, whether that will be a new or reconditioned model to suit you and your stairs. You then have both figures in front of you and can make the decision that makes sense for your situation and budget. There’s no pressure either way, and we would never recommend a replacement if we didn’t think it was in your best interests.
In some cases repair is clearly the right answer. In others, the numbers make replacement the sensible choice. Our job is to give you honest information, not to push you towards the more expensive option.
Don’t forget that as well as offering new straight and curved stairlifts, we also offer reconditioned and rental models too which are cheaper alternatives.
It’s also worth factoring in the unforeseen cost of what happens if your lift stops altogether and can’t be repaired which is more prominent in older models. You’d be left without a working stairlift if you wait until this happens. Whilst some people don’t mind taking the risk, others rely on their stairlift around the clock to get them up and down stairs and can’t be without it.
Straight stairlifts we have in stock, they can normally be fitted within a few days, sometimes the same day for urgent cases if we have the engineering capacity available for that day.
However, curved stairlifts take several weeks to make the rail for your stairs. Could you be without a working stairlift for 3 – 4 weeks? It is for sure worth considering replacing a curved stairlift sooner rather than later if you need it for everyday use.
What Happens When an Old Stairlift Is Replaced?
In most cases, the old stairlift is removed and the new one installed on the same day, so there’s minimal disruption and you’re never without a working lift for longer than necessary.
If the old lift has broken down and is sitting on the stairs causing an obstruction, we can arrange to remove it sooner, before the new installation takes place.
Once removed, the old stairlift is brought back to our workshop where it’s stripped down and its component parts are scrapped and disposed of responsibly. We hold a waste carrier licence, which is a legal requirement for transporting waste goods from customers’ homes. Not all companies hold this licence, so it’s worth checking if you’re using someone you haven’t used before.
Can You Replace a Stairlift from a Different Brand?
Yes. If you have an older stairlift from any manufacturer and it’s reached the end of its life, we can replace it with a new or reconditioned model from our current range. We handle the full process ourselves including removal of the old lift and installation of the new one on the same day.
This is particularly relevant for customers with older models from brands whose parts are no longer available, or where the original installer is no longer trading. We see this fairly regularly and it’s a straightforward process for us.
What Are the Options for a Replacement?
When replacing an older stairlift, there are three main routes depending on your situation and budget:
New stairlift. A brand new model with a full warranty. The most reliable long-term option and the one that gives you the most current technology and features. You can also purchase extended warranty and servicing contracts with this model.
Reconditioned stairlift. A previously used model that has been fully refurbished and tested. A good option if budget is a consideration and you want a reliable lift at a lower upfront cost. Extended warranty and servicing contracts are available too for this model. [LINK to reconditioned page]
Rental stairlift. If you’re not sure about committing to a purchase, or if your circumstances might change, a rental gives you a working stairlift with servicing and maintenance included and no long-term commitment, with removal when no longer needed linked into the setup fee.
If you’re unsure check out our article explaining all the options on should I rent or buy a stairlift?
You can also find out how much does a stairlift cost here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my stairlift is obsolete?
If you’re unsure whether parts are still available for your model, give us a call. We can usually identify your lift from the make and model number and let you know its status.
My stairlift is ten years old but working fine. Does it need replacing?
Not necessarily. If it’s running well, has been regularly serviced, and parts are still available, there’s no reason to replace it. Age alone isn’t a reason to replace a stairlift that’s performing reliably.
The repair quote is expensive. Is it worth paying it?
That depends on the age of the lift, what the fault is, and whether it’s likely to be a one-off repair or the start of a pattern of problems which we may or may not be able to predict. We’ll give you both a repair quote and a replacement cost so you can make an informed comparison. If we think replacement makes more sense, we’ll say so honestly.
How long does it take to replace a stairlift?
For a straight stairlift, we can usually remove the old lift and install the new one on the same day if we have appointments available or within a few days. For a curved stairlift, the new rail needs to be made to measure, so there will be a lead time while that’s manufactured of around 3-4 weeks. We’ll talk you through the timeline when you get in touch.
What happens to my old stairlift?
It’s brought back to our workshop, stripped down, and its components are scrapped responsibly. We hold a waste carrier licence as required by law for transporting waste goods from domestic properties.
Not Sure Whether to Repair or Replace?
If you need us for a callout to assess your stairlift, or just want some friendly advice over the telephone, simply give us a call and we’ll help you work it out. We cover a wide area across the South and South West of England including Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas, from our offices in Calne and Ferndown.
Give us a call on 01249 814528 and we’ll be happy to help. You can also contact us on our enquiry form.
If you have an existing stairlift that needs attention, you can also call our aftercare team in Calne on 01249 814528 or Ferndown on 01202 873730 for engineer assistance.
Author & Technical Review
Written by Coral Affleck-Major
Director, 1st Choice Stairlifts | 30+ years’ industry experience | Contributor to Which? Trusted Traders and recognised industry publications
Coral has worked in the stairlift and home accessibility industry since 1996. Before co-founding 1st Choice Stairlifts in 2004, she spent eight years working for leading stairlift manufacturers, giving her experience from both the manufacturing and independent sides of the industry. Over the past 30 years, she has helped thousands of customers understand their options and make informed decisions about stairlifts, home lifts and accessibility solutions.
Technically reviewed by Colin Major
Director, 1st Choice Stairlifts | 38+ years’ industry experience | Former Stannah engineer and technical reviewer
Colin has worked in the stairlift industry since 1987, including 15 years with Stannah before co-founding 1st Choice Stairlifts. With over 38 years of engineering experience, he reviews technical content for accuracy and draws on extensive knowledge of stairlift installation, servicing, fault diagnosis and complex accessibility solutions.
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As an independent stairlift specialist, we recommend products from a carefully selected range of leading manufacturers. Every article in our Knowledge Centre is written or reviewed by experienced members of our team and is based on real customer questions, product knowledge and practical experience gained over decades in the stairlift industry. We review our content regularly to keep it accurate and up to date in accordance with our Editorial Policy.
Last reviewed: 19 August 2026
This article is reviewed periodically and updated whenever products, industry guidance or relevant information changes.
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