In your estimation the reason Autotech's fail is due to poor installation. So how come mine lasted 50k miles before failing and I installed it myself on the drive at home. No sterile environment just a careful take OEM parts out and install new ones.
I have to echo what Carl is saying here, I did install mine myself admittedly but did do it on cling film with IPA, nitrile gloves etc and was absolutely meticulous about it. My autotech internals ran for a good time (about 20k iirc) but a problem with the map that I had at the time meant I was only getting 110bar of rail pressure. A change of map and the full 130 bar of rail pressure and my pump failed sometime within a week by the time I noticed. Now I'm not discounting an installation problem but the failure of the OEM seal at the time that it did would suggest something else. I can't blame rail pressure as that's the point of the upgrade.
I have to say that I have kept an eye on the whole APR/Autotech failures and, like Carl, was not aware of the internal seal failing on APR pumps - only the cam follower is issue with both and also OEM.
But at the end of the day you pays your money and you takes your chances. This argument will go on for time ever more
I think that sums it up! I know that Carl is not anti-Autotech and neither am I - we both faced the same choice as everyone else considering an uprated HPFP and both went for Autotech. I still have nothing against going the Autotech route but only advise that folks keep an eye on it and don't assume that a professional installation is a guarantee of longevity because Autotech failures are all about installation. They are about the inherent weakness of the internal seal in the OEM pump....most will last I guess, but some will not.