Lift Repair

A failed lift costs time, disrupts tenants and can create safety risks. London Lifts provides fast lift repair across London for commercial buildings, residential blocks and public-sector sites. Our LEIA-member engineers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and carry a full stock of parts to achieve a first-visit fix wherever possible. Trading since 2006, we have the experience to diagnose and repair faults quickly across all lift makes and models.

This page covers our emergency response service, the most common faults we deal with, and the range of lift systems our engineers work on. For an immediate call-out, ring 0800 000 0000 at any time.

24/7 Emergency Response

Lift breakdowns do not follow office hours, and neither do our engineers. When you call our emergency line, you speak directly to a qualified lift engineer, not a call-centre operative. We confirm an attendance time immediately, based on your location within Greater London, and dispatch the nearest available engineer.

Our contract clients receive a four-hour response target for emergency call-outs. Non-contract clients are attended as quickly as scheduling allows, typically the same day for London postcodes. Every engineer's van carries a broad range of the parts most commonly needed for emergency repairs, so we fix the fault in a single visit in the majority of cases.

Once the repair is complete, our engineer issues a written report covering the fault found, work carried out and any further actions recommended. This forms part of your lift's compliance record. Ask about a maintenance contract to reduce future breakdown risk.

Common Lift Faults We Fix

Door Faults

Door system failures are the most frequent reason for lift shutdowns. We repair door operator motors, replace worn cams and vanes, adjust door contact forces and reset door timing to the tolerances in BS EN 81-20. Door interlock failures are treated as safety-critical and resolved before the lift is returned to service. A lift that keeps failing on its doors usually needs a door system overhaul rather than repeated reactive repairs, and we will tell you honestly if that is the case.

Control Failures

Modern lifts use programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and microprocessor-based control systems. Our engineers carry diagnostic equipment for all major controller brands and can interrogate fault logs, replace boards or reprogram parameters as needed. Older relay-logic panels are also within our competence, and we hold stock of many legacy relay components that are no longer available from the original manufacturer.

Motor and Drive Issues

Traction lift drive units and motors are subject to wear over time. We diagnose motor winding faults, replace worn brake linings, repair or replace variable-frequency drives, and adjust rope tensions and traction. Hydraulic power units with pump and valve issues are also within our scope. We carry standard motor and drive components and can source specialist parts quickly from our supplier network.

Hydraulic Leaks

Hydraulic oil leaks in hydraulic lifts must be treated promptly. A leak in the ram seal or pipework causes progressive loss of levelling accuracy and, if left, can result in the car sinking between floors. Our engineers carry the seals, hoses and hydraulic fluid needed to repair most leaks on the first visit. All hydraulic fluid is disposed of responsibly under our waste carrier licence.

Trapped Passengers

Passenger entrapment is treated as our highest-priority call. Our engineers are trained in the correct procedure for manual rescue of trapped passengers in accordance with the lift manufacturer's instructions and HSE guidance. We attend entrapment calls as an emergency regardless of contract status, confirm the passenger's condition on arrival, and carry out the rescue safely before investigating the cause of the entrapment.

All Makes and Models

London's building stock spans more than a century of lift technology. Our engineers are trained and experienced across the full range of systems found in the capital's buildings, from modern KONE MonoSpace and Otis Gen2 units to older geared traction systems and traditional hydraulics. We cover all major manufacturers including Otis, Schindler, KONE, ThyssenKrupp, Stannah, Pickerings, Orona and many smaller or own-brand systems.

Not knowing the lift type is never a reason for delay. Our engineers arrive with the tools and reference material needed to work on unfamiliar systems and access the technical support of our supplier network when needed. Contact us to arrange a lift repair or call-out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Quickly Can You Attend a Breakdown in London?

For contract clients we aim to attend within four hours of the call. For non-contract call-outs in Greater London, we typically attend the same day or early the following morning depending on our current workload. Our emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by qualified lift engineers who can give you an accurate attendance estimate when you call.

What Should I Do If a Passenger Is Trapped in the Lift?

Keep the passenger calm via the lift intercom and call our emergency line on 0800 000 0000 immediately. Do not attempt to open the lift doors manually or allow the passenger to force the doors open. Our engineer will attend as a priority and carry out the rescue using the correct procedure. Most entrapments are resolved quickly and safely.

Can You Repair a Lift You Did Not Install or Maintain?

Yes. We repair lifts regardless of who installed or last serviced them. Our engineers carry diagnostic equipment and reference documentation for all major lift systems, and our supplier network gives us access to parts for most makes and models. We may recommend a condition survey after the repair to identify any related issues.

Will the Repair Be Covered by a Warranty?

All parts supplied and labour carried out by London Lifts engineers are covered by our standard 12-month parts and labour warranty. If the same fault recurs within the warranty period, we return and rectify it at no charge. This covers both emergency repairs and planned maintenance work.

Is a One-Off Repair Possible or Do I Need a Contract?

One-off emergency repairs are available without a contract. We will always attend, diagnose and fix the fault. After the repair, we can advise whether the lift would benefit from a planned maintenance contract to reduce the risk of future breakdowns. There is no obligation to take a contract, but most building owners find the 24/7 cover and priority response worthwhile.