I've heard that circuit boards are unreliable, is this true?

Some other stairlift companies may tell you " Do NOT buy a stairlift that contains a circuit board. Circuit boards simply do not hold up when they are constantly being vibrated and jarred. " or that circuit boards "... are delicate, highly sensitive to vibration and static electricity, and prone to failure."

If this was true would they be used in cars, washing machines and other common-place modern electrical goods?

The Acorn stair lift are very reliable, with a phenomenally low breakdown rate. With well over 100,000 lifts installed around the world. We would not use a component that could leave our customers stranded without being able to use the stairs.

So don't believe anybody that tells you circuit boards are unreliable!