Vehicle Lift Lifespan: Knowing When Repair Becomes Replacement

For the vast majority of workshops, the vehicle lift is one of the most critical pieces of equipment. When a lift breaks down, the services a workshop can offer are suddenly extremely limited. This disruption can significantly affect day-to-day operations and, in turn, have a serious impact on profitability.

Like any piece of equipment, vehicle lifts have a finite lifespan. As a lift approaches the end of its working life, the cost of keeping it operational typically increases. Industry data shows that repair and maintenance costs rise steadily as a lift ages, often making continued operation uneconomical.

How Long Should a Vehicle Lift Last?

There is no single answer, as the lifespan of a vehicle lift depends on several key factors, including:

Daily Usage - Usage levels vary greatly between workshops. For example:

Fast-fit tyre centres and dealerships may raise and lower a lift up to 30 times a day.
Independent MOT stations may only use a lift a few times daily.

Unsurprisingly, higher usage leads to faster wear and a shorter operational lifespan.

Type, Make, Model, and Materials - The design and build of a lift play a major role in its longevity. Factors include:

Whether the lift is electro-mechanical, electro-hydraulic, in-ground, or above-ground
The manufacturer’s build quality
The materials and assembly processes used

Higher-quality components and manufacturing standards generally result in longer-lasting equipment.

Maintenance - Regular servicing in accordance with manufacturer guidelines significantly extends the life of a vehicle lift. Lifts that are properly maintained experience fewer breakdowns and lower long-term costs. Having a preventative maintenance programme in place with a reputable service provider can delay the need for costly replacements.

Operating Environment - The conditions in which a lift operates also matter. For example:

Workshops exposed to damp, wind, or outdoor weather conditions
Poor housekeeping or dirty environments

These factors can accelerate wear and corrosion, reducing a lift’s lifespan.

With all this in mind, then, rather than asking how long a vehicle lift should last, the more important question is: When is it time to replace a lift?

As a general rule of thumb, if the cost of repairing a lift reaches 50% of the price of a new replacement, it is usually more economical to invest in a new lift rather than to continue repairing the old one.

How We Can Help with Your Lift Replacement

Replacing a vehicle lift can feel daunting, whether it’s a single unit or multiple lifts at once. Many garages worry about high costs, long installation times, and operational disruption. With Straightset, however, this doesn’t have to be the case.

We’re here to provide peace of mind throughout the replacement process by:

Offering a wide range of lift options to suit all budgets
Minimising disruption during installation with our expert engineers
Reducing downtime by getting your new lift up and running as quickly as possible

As independent garage equipment specialists, we offer an extensive range of vehicle lift options, giving you genuine choice and flexibility. We carefully select manufacturers known for their quality and reliability, whilst we offer a commitment to excellent aftercare and readily available spare parts after installation.

Our trusted vehicle lift manufacturers include:
Space, AMI, Nussbaum, Slift, Werther, JAB Becker, Supertracker and more.

Ongoing Support Through Preventative Maintenance

The best way to protect your investment is with a comprehensive service contract. Our preventative maintenance packages are amongst the most thorough on the market and are designed to:

Keep your equipment operating safely and efficiently
Reduce unexpected breakdowns
Delay future replacement wherever possible

Using our advanced service management software, we can also analyse the true cost of your equipment over time. This allows you to make informed replacement decisions based on actual running costs, not just age.

Through a service contract, you’ll also receive free access to Straightset QR, our customer portal. This enables you to: