The typical lifespan
A well-installed, regularly serviced gate motor usually lasts around 10 to 15 years. Some go on longer; others fail in a few years. The difference is almost always the conditions the motor works in and how well it has been looked after.
What shortens a motor's life
- Water: underground motors sitting in flooded boxes fail early
- Heavy or wind-catching gates that are too much for the motor
- Stiff hinges or a dropped gate making the motor push harder
- Very busy gates on shared drives, opening dozens of times a day
- No servicing, so small problems are never caught
Signs a motor is on its way out
- Grinding, clunking or a louder hum than it used to make
- Slower or jerkier movement
- Stopping part-way or needing several attempts
- Hydraulic motors weeping oil
- Repeated faults that come back soon after a repair
Repair or replace?
Not every fault means a new motor. Worn parts, seals or a failing control board can often be repaired. But if a motor is over ten years old, has been flooded, or keeps failing, replacing it is often better value than repeated call-outs. A good engineer will tell you honestly which makes sense before you spend anything.
When one motor of a pair fails, the other is the same age. Replacing both together can save a second call-out, but it's your choice.
How to make motors last longer
- Have the gates serviced once a year
- Keep underground motor boxes clear and their drains working
- Fix a dropped gate or stiff hinge as soon as you notice it
- Make sure the motor is the right size for the gate