A used stairlift can save real money, but only for the right staircase and from the right seller. A refurbished straight stairlift from a dealer that installs it and stands behind it is a very different purchase from a lift pulled out of someone’s house and sold online. This guide covers what used lifts cost, where the risks are, what to ask, and how to sell or donate one you no longer need.
For the price of a new stairlift, see our stairlift cost guide.
The short answer
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) puts a used straight stairlift at about $1,500 to $3,000, generally 30 to 50 percent less than new. Used makes sense mainly for a straight staircase and from a dealer who installs and warrants it. Curved lifts rarely save much, because the rail is made for one staircase. NCOA advises avoiding private sellers.
In this guide
What do used and refurbished stairlifts cost?
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| NCOA (nonprofit) | Used straight stairlift about $1,500–$3,000. Used lifts generally 30–50% cheaper than new. Installation typically adds $500–$2,000. |
| Savaria (manufacturer) | A used or factory-refurbished straight lift can sometimes reduce the cost. It gives no used-price figure. |
| Dealer and consumer guides | Reconditioned straight units reported from about $1,500 up to roughly $4,500, depending on age, brand and what is included. |
| Renting (NCOA) | Many companies rent standard lifts for $300–$500 a month, or $900–$1,500 for three months. Installation and a deposit are often extra. |
The spread is wide because “used” covers very different things: a lift that has been inspected, refitted with new batteries and installed by a dealer, and a bare unit sold as-is. One dealer warns that online prices under about $2,000 can be misleading, because they typically leave out shipping, measuring, installation, a warranty and local service. Compare the total installed price with a quote for a new lift, which our cost guide puts at about $3,300 to $5,000 for a standard straight unit.
Where should you buy: dealer, private seller or rental?
| Route | Warranty and installation | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer-refurbished | NCOA says reconditioned lifts usually carry a limited warranty of six months to a year. Many dealers include installation. | Warranty is shorter than on a new lift. Ask what it covers and who does the repair. |
| Private seller or marketplace | NCOA says you are unlikely to get guarantees or after-sales support. Dealers say there is no valid manufacturer warranty on a private sale. | Unknown condition, no installer, and no one to call. Wrong installation is a safety risk and can void a warranty. |
| Rental | Installation and a deposit are often extra, per NCOA. | Costs add up if you need it longer than expected. Usually straight stairs only. |
NCOA’s senior strategist for healthy aging advises choosing established dealers with strong customer reviews and a history of trustworthiness, and avoiding private sellers where you can. Savaria says never to install a stairlift yourself and always to use a trained technician.
Why curved lifts are different
A straight stairlift rail is a standard part that can be cut to length, so a refurbished one can sometimes be adapted for another home. Savaria says that is not true of curved lifts: the rail is built for one staircase and usually cannot simply be moved, so a new custom rail is needed even if some parts are reused. NCOA agrees that a pre-owned curved lift is possible but trickier, and may need refitting, which adds to installation cost.
The practical result is that most of the savings from buying used are on straight staircases. If your stairs curve, get a quote for a new curved lift and for a used one, and compare the full installed cost.
What should you ask before you buy?
- When was it first installed, and by which company? A used lift is only as reliable as its maintenance record, NCOA says.
- Was it bought new or used?
- Are replacement parts still available?
- What does the warranty cover, and who does the repair? One dealer says to think hard if warranty work is contracted out to a handyman or other third party.
- Was it installed and removed by the same company that is selling it now? If not, is the seller trained and certified on that make and model?
- What was replaced? Ask about new batteries, worn parts, and a safety test, and ask for it in writing.
- Does it fit your staircase? NCOA lists the measurements to have ready: total length, width, number of steps, top and bottom clearances, and doors, railings or landings.
- Does the weight rating suit the rider? See our weight limits section.
- Is installation included, and by whom?
- What does it cost to run and service? A used lift has the same ongoing costs as a new one. See how long stairlifts last and what they cost to keep running.
Selling or donating a stairlift
If you are on the other side of the sale, the picture is less encouraging than people expect.
- Buyback. NCOA says many companies that sell used stairlifts also buy them back, though you typically get a fraction of the original price.
- Selling directly. NCOA notes you can sell through online marketplaces. Straight lifts are far easier to place than curved ones, whose rails fit only the staircase they were made for.
- Be honest. State the age, condition and weight capacity, and do not say a warranty transfers unless you have confirmed it. A dealer notes that sellers sometimes claim warranty coverage in good faith when none applies.
- Donating. Assistive technology reuse programs pass lightly used equipment to people who need it, but they vary in what they accept and an installed stairlift is more involved than a walker. The Pass It On Center coordinates reuse programs nationally, some state assistive technology programs run their own equipment exchanges, so ask yours, and one dealer blog suggests asking local ReStores and your Area Agency on Aging. Call first to ask whether they take stairlifts.
- Removal. Ask a dealer, ideally the company that installed it, about professional removal rather than taking it off the stairs yourself.
Does Medicare help with a used stairlift?
NCOA says Medicare does not typically cover stairlifts, which it classifies as home modifications rather than durable medical equipment, and that Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited help. That applies to used lifts too. Our Medicare coverage guide explains how to check, and our guide to paying for a stairlift covers Medicaid, VA, USDA and tax options.
How we handle this guide
AgingSteady earns a commission on some links, which is explained in our affiliate disclosure. We have not tested any stairlift, and nothing here is a product recommendation. We do not link to marketplace listings. Dealers have an interest in how they describe used lifts, so we rely on NCOA and the manufacturer Savaria where we can.
Common questions
How much does a used stairlift cost?
The National Council on Aging puts a used straight stairlift at about $1,500 to $3,000, depending on type, condition and whether it has been reconditioned, and says used lifts generally cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones. Dealer pages we read report reconditioned straight units, installed, at up to about $4,500. Installation is a separate cost if it is not included; NCOA says professional installation typically adds $500 to $2,000.
Is it safe to buy a used stairlift?
It can be, if it comes from a reputable dealer who has inspected and tested it, installs it, and gives you a warranty. NCOA advises avoiding private sellers and uncertified sources, since you are unlikely to get guarantees or after-sales support. Several dealers say a private sale carries no valid manufacturer warranty, even if the seller believes it does. Savaria says a stairlift should always be installed by a trained technician.
Can you buy a used curved stairlift?
Rarely in a way that saves much. Savaria says a curved rail is made for one staircase and usually cannot simply be moved to another home, so a new custom rail is needed even if some parts are reused. NCOA says a pre-owned curved lift is possible but trickier and may need refitting, which adds to installation cost.
How long is the warranty on a refurbished stairlift?
NCOA says companies that recondition used lifts usually give a limited warranty of six months to one year. For comparison, Savaria says its new stairlifts carry a parts warranty of 24 or 36 months depending on the model. Always ask what a warranty covers and who performs the repair.
How do I sell my stairlift?
NCOA says many companies that sell used stairlifts also buy them back, though you will typically get a fraction of the original price, and that you can also sell directly through online marketplaces. Straight lifts are much easier to resell than curved ones. Be honest about age, condition and weight capacity, and do not tell a buyer the original warranty still applies unless you have confirmed it.
Can I donate a used stairlift?
Sometimes. Assistive technology reuse programs pass lightly used equipment on to people who need it, but policies vary, and an installed stairlift is more involved than a walker. The Pass It On Center coordinates reuse programs nationally, some state assistive technology programs run their own equipment exchanges, so ask yours, and one dealer blog suggests asking local ReStores and your Area Agency on Aging. Call first to ask whether they accept stairlifts.
Does a used stairlift come with installation?
Not always. NCOA says installation may or may not be included in the price. Reputable dealers that sell reconditioned lifts often include installation and a warranty, while a low online price may exclude shipping, measuring, installation, warranty and local service, as one dealer points out.
One important caveat
This guide is general information and is not advice about your parent’s health, your home or a particular purchase. Prices and warranty terms vary by seller and region, so get written quotes and use a trained technician for installation.
Sources
National Council on Aging, Used Stair Lift Buyers Guide (September 2025; we read the full article). · Savaria (manufacturer), How Much Does a Stairlift Cost in 2026? (October 5, 2026) and How Much Does a Curved Stairlift Cost in 2026? (updated September 15, 2026); both read in full. · We also read dealer pages, from search excerpts, for the private-sale, warranty and installation points, including Lifeway Mobility, Arrowlift and DME Elevators & Lifts, and the reuse-program overview on the Pass It On Center site. We found no independent data on resale values, so we do not give a figure for what a used lift sells for. We welcome corrections through our contact page.
Related reading
Stairlift cost guide · How long stairlifts last · Portable stair lifts · Stairlift alternatives · Does Medicare cover this?