What You Can Do Yourself

There are a few simple things you can do regularly to keep your stairlift in good condition between professional services. None of these require any technical knowledge or tools.

Keep the rail clean. The rail is the track your stairlift travels along. Over time, dust, pet hair, and household debris can accumulate on the rail surface. A quick wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth every couple of weeks keeps the rail clean and ensures the stairlift runs smoothly. Avoid using cleaning sprays, polishes, or chemical products on the rail as these can leave a residue that interferes with the drive mechanism.

Keep the staircase clear. This sounds obvious, but it's one of the most common causes of stairlift issues. Items left on the stairs — shoes, bags, toys, laundry — can trigger the safety sensors and stop the stairlift mid-journey. Make sure the staircase is clear before using the stairlift and remind other household members to keep the stairs tidy.

Wipe down the seat and controls. The vinyl seat covers on Bespoke stairlifts are designed to be easy to clean. A wipe with a damp cloth is all that's needed to keep the seat hygienic. The seat covers are also removable and can be taken off for a deeper clean when needed. Keep the control toggle and armrests clean as well — these are the parts you touch most often.

Fold the stairlift when not in use. When you're not using the stairlift, fold the seat, armrests, and footrest up against the wall. This keeps the staircase clear for other people, protects the seat from accidental damage, and keeps the footrest out of the way where it won't collect dust or get knocked.

Check the seatbelt. Give the retractable seatbelt a quick check every now and then to make sure it clips in and releases smoothly. If it feels stiff or doesn't retract properly, mention it at your next service.



Listen and feel. You use your stairlift every day, so you'll notice if something changes. If the ride feels rougher than usual, if you hear an unusual sound, or if the stairlift seems slower than normal, these are signs that something may need attention. Don't ignore changes — call us and we can advise whether it needs a service visit.

What Does a Professional Service Include?

A professional stairlift service is a thorough inspection and maintenance check carried out by a qualified engineer. It covers all the mechanical, electrical, and safety components of your stairlift. Here's what a typical service visit involves.

Rail inspection. The engineer checks the full length of the rail for any signs of wear, damage, or loosening of the fixings. The rail brackets that attach to the stair treads are checked for tightness and stability.

Drive mechanism. The rack and pinion drive system that moves the stairlift along the rail is inspected and lubricated. The engineer checks for any wear on the gear teeth and ensures the drive is operating smoothly.

Battery check. Bespoke stairlifts run on rechargeable batteries that charge automatically when the stairlift is parked at a charge point. The engineer tests the battery voltage and charge cycle to make sure the batteries are holding charge properly. Batteries degrade over time and will eventually need replacing — a routine service will identify when this is getting close.

Electrical connections. All wiring and electrical connections are inspected for any signs of wear, corrosion, or loose contacts. The charging points at the top and bottom of the rail are checked to ensure proper contact.

Safety sensors. The safety sensors and pressure plates on the footrest and carriage are tested to confirm they're working correctly. These sensors stop the stairlift automatically if it encounters an obstacle on the stairs, so it's essential they function properly.

Swivel seat mechanism. The manual or powered swivel seat is checked for smooth operation. The locking mechanism that holds the seat in position when you're getting on and off is tested.

Seatbelt. The retractable seatbelt is inspected for wear and tested for proper locking and release.

Controls. The toggle switch, remote controls, and power switch are all tested. Remote control batteries are checked and replaced if needed.

Diagnostic display. The engineer checks the digital diagnostic display for any error codes or status warnings and clears them if necessary.

General tightness and adjustment. All bolts, fixings, and moving parts are checked and tightened where needed. The seat height, armrest position, and footrest operation are tested and adjusted if required.



At the end of the service, the engineer will let you know the overall condition of your stairlift, flag anything that may need attention in the near future, and answer any questions you have.

How Often Should a Stairlift Be Serviced?

We recommend a professional service at least once every twelve months. An annual service keeps your stairlift in safe working order and catches any wear or issues before they become problems.

If your stairlift gets heavy daily use — for example, multiple trips up and down per day across several household members — a service every six months may be more appropriate. We can advise on the right schedule based on your usage.



If your stairlift is used outdoors, more frequent servicing is recommended. Outdoor stairlifts are exposed to rain, humidity, dust, and temperature changes that can accelerate wear on certain components. A six-monthly service is a sensible minimum for outdoor installations in NSW.

What About the Warranty?

Bespoke stairlifts come with a two-year parts and labour warranty as standard. During the warranty period, any parts that fail due to a manufacturing defect are replaced at no cost to you. Regular servicing is the best way to ensure your stairlift stays in good condition and to identify warranty-covered issues while the warranty is still active.



After the warranty period, servicing is still important. Stairlifts are built to last well beyond two years, but ongoing maintenance ensures they continue to operate safely and reliably. We offer service plans that cover annual or six-monthly visits so you don't have to remember to book — we'll contact you when your next service is due.

Common Issues and What Causes Them

Most stairlift issues are minor and easily resolved. Here are the most common things we see.

Stairlift stops mid-journey. This is almost always caused by something on the stairs triggering a safety sensor. Check for objects on the staircase and clear them. If the staircase is clear and the stairlift still won't move, check that the power switch on the stairlift is turned on and that the key lock hasn't been accidentally engaged.

Stairlift won't start. Check that the stairlift is parked at a charge point and the charge indicator shows it's receiving power. If the batteries are flat — usually because the stairlift has been left away from a charge point for an extended period — it may need time to recharge before it will operate. If it still won't start after charging, call us.

Rough or noisy ride. This can indicate that the rail needs cleaning or that the drive mechanism needs lubrication. Try wiping down the rail first. If the issue persists, book a service.

Seatbelt won't retract. The seatbelt mechanism can stiffen over time. A service engineer can clean and adjust it. In the meantime, the stairlift is still safe to use — just buckle and unbuckle the belt manually.



Diagnostic display showing an error. The clear text display on Bespoke stairlifts will tell you what the issue is in plain language rather than a confusing error code. If you see a message you're unsure about, call us and read out what the display says — we can usually advise over the phone whether it's something you can resolve yourself or whether it needs a visit.

Areas We Service

Bespoke Mobility provides stairlift servicing and maintenance across all of Sydney and NSW including Western Sydney, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, South Coast, and regional NSW. We also service all of QLD.

Book a Service

If your stairlift is due for a service, or if you've noticed anything that doesn't seem right, get in touch and we'll arrange a visit.

Call us on 1300 495 572, email info@bespokemobility.com.au, or fill in our contact form.



Bespoke Mobility is an NDIS registered provider, DVA approved, and the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts — winner of UK Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.