Technical Support

Reputable repair company vs. Backstreet repair shops:

When looking for a company to repair your hydraulic units we believe there are certain things you should look out for! Repairing hydraulics can be a costly business but getting it wrong can be extremely frustrating, time wasting & expensive!

Questions to consider:

• Are they registered to an industry body?
• Do they provide a good warranty?
• Are there any hidden extras & costs?
• Can they provide 3rd party referrals?
• Are they an authorised repair centre?
• Do you receive a test certificate?

Are they registered to an industry body?

The BFPA / BFPDA are a body in our industry which encourages quality assurance within the hydraulics industry as a whole. They ensure that other members conform to a published code of professional conduct. Other registered bodies which may help you as the customer are industry specific ones such as: Link Up, Apex, EEF, etc. For information on companies within the BFPA / BFPDA you can visit: www.bfpa.co.uk

Do they provide a good warranty?

With a new unit you can expect to receive a 6 - 12 month warranty. A reputable repair company will give you that on a repair too! Ensure you have a minimum 6 month warranty or even better, go with a company that provides a 12 month warranty with a shelf life included. Make sure you are clear what this warranty covers beforehand.

Hidden Extras & Costs?

A common phrase is "free collect, inspect and quote service", but what if you don't want your unit repairing? What if the unit is beyond economical repair? It is always good to find out what the hidden charges are and to make sure you don't have to commit to a repair just because the quote was free. A reputable repair company will tell you of the costs involved from the beginning and will not shy away from this.

Provide 3rd party referrals?

You should be able to view or ask to view referrals from previous customers on their experience with the repair company.

Authorised Repair Centres?

A good indication of a reputable company is someone who has a distributorship / authorised repair centre for a leading manufacturer. If a company does not boast distributorship then make sure they say they use genuine spares in their repairs, that way you know they are trustworthy and are likely to get a long lasting repair.

Is a test certificate available?

Not all customers want a test certificate however; it is worth knowing if you can have a test certificate if you want one. You will then be able to see that your unit has been tested thoroughly.

Generally you can trust your instincts on this topic but it's always good to go in with a few questions before sending your unit off. If you are going to pay for a repair you might as well ensure it's with a trustworthy and reputable company!

Article written by Candice Link, Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Ltd