New or Reconditioned Stairlift: Which Is Better Value?

A reconditioned stairlift can save you several hundred pounds, and on a straight staircase it is often a sensible buy. A new one costs more but gives you the longest lifespan, the newest features and the longest warranty. Which wins depends on your staircase and how long you will need it.

What reconditioned really means

A reconditioned stairlift is a previously fitted unit that has been stripped down, inspected, repaired and restored before resale. Worn parts are replaced, safety systems and motor are tested, upholstery is renewed or cleaned and new batteries are fitted. Ours come with a warranty, at least for the first year.

That is nothing like a second-hand lift from a classified ad or online marketplace. A privately sold lift has no known history, no professional inspection and no warranty, and unless the buyer is an engineer, refitting it is risky. Where you buy matters more than the word on the label. Quality varies between suppliers, so ask exactly what is replaced during reconditioning. Our reconditioned stairlifts page explains what we do.

The price difference

On a straight staircase the saving is meaningful, because the rail is a standard length and can often be re-used or cut on the day. On a curved staircase the picture changes, and it is worth checking which type your stairs need before you compare prices. A curved rail is made for one staircase and is almost never re-usable, so even a reconditioned curved lift normally gets a new rail. The saving shrinks to a modest amount, and for many people new is the better choice. Our curved stairlift cost explanation shows why.

Where reconditioned makes sense

• Straight stairs and a tight budget. The saving is real money, especially on a fixed income.
• A short or uncertain need. After a hip or knee operation, you may only want the lift for a few months. See standing and perching stairlifts if bending is the issue.
• You need it quickly. A unit already in stock can sometimes be fitted faster than a newly ordered one.
• Rental would run beyond a year or so. Rental starts from around £50 a month, and Age UK style guidance puts the cost-effective limit at about 18 months. Past that, buying reconditioned usually works out cheaper. Our stairlift rent or buy guide shows the sums.

Where new is the better buy

• Long term use. A new lift has its whole life ahead of it. Well-maintained stairlifts often run for a decade or more, and a reconditioned one has already used part of that.
• A curved staircase. The rail is new either way, so the saving is smaller.
• Specific features. Slimmer folding, quieter running or certain seat options are more likely on newer designs.
• Peace of mind. A new lift has no history, and its warranty is normally the longer one.

The honest downsides of reconditioned

Choice is limited to what is in stock, so the colour, seat style or model you want may not be available. Warranties are often shorter than on new lifts, and the technology may be a few years old. After the warranty ends, older units can need repairs sooner. And a repair bill on a ten-year-old lift sometimes comes close to the cost of a replacement, which is worth remembering when you read our servicing and maintenance guide.

On the other side, reconditioning reuses equipment that would otherwise be scrapped, which appeals to some buyers.

Questions to ask any supplier

1. What is replaced during reconditioning, and how old is the unit?
2. How long is the warranty, and does it cover parts, labour and call-outs?
3. Must I use you for servicing to keep the warranty valid?
4. Is it fitted by your own trained engineers?

A note on lifespan and resale

Whichever you pick, do not buy a stairlift expecting to sell it on. Used lifts fetch little, and a curved rail has almost no resale value because it only fits one staircase. Think of it as equipment you use and then have removed, which costs around £200 for a straight lift and up to about £350 for a curved one. That makes the cheaper upfront cost of a reconditioned lift attractive for short term needs, and it makes the longer life of a new lift attractive for long term ones.

Ask what servicing is included, too. Annual servicing keeps either type safe and reliable, and a reconditioned lift benefits from a check a few months in.

A simple way to decide

Work through these in order. First, is your staircase straight or curved? If curved, new is usually the sensible default, since the saving on a reconditioned lift is small. Second, how long will you need it? Under a year or two, reconditioned or rental is hard to beat. Longer, and the extra years of life in a new lift start to count. Third, how much does a longer warranty matter to you? If you would lose sleep over a repair bill in year four, pay for new.

There is no wrong answer, only a better fit for your situation. A reconditioned lift from a reputable supplier is not a lesser lift, and a new one is not always necessary. If you want to see every option laid out, our stairlift types hub links to each one.

Next step

If you want to compare both options for your own stairs, our free survey costs nothing, and you can ask for a new and a reconditioned price side by side. We offer price match on like for like systems. Book a free home survey or use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

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