Important Things to Know When Buying a Mobility Scooter

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Buying a mobility scooter can be stressful - there are so many out there! Knowing what you are looking for and establishing how suitable a mobility scooter is for you is important. 

Here are some important things to know when looking to buy a mobility scooter than can help you find the right one for you: 

What do you need it for? 

There are many different types of mobility scooters available. A starting point is determining what you want to use the scooter for, and what types of places you will be taking it. 

There are two classes of mobility scooters: 

• Class 2 - these can’t be used on the road (except where there is no pavement) and have a maximum speed of 4mph. 
• Class 3 - these are mobility scooters that are road worthy. The maximum speed they can use off road is 4mph, but on the road it is 8mph. Class 3 mobility scooters must be registered with the DVLA. 

Class 2 mobility scooters are ideal for those who want to use their scooters for day trips, shopping and running general errands. The range on these scooters is likely to be a lot less than those in class 3, but they’re likely to be lighter and easy to travel with. 

Class 3 mobility scooters would suit someone looking to take their scooter further afield and use it as a means of travel. If you want maximum independence, then this is ideal for you! 

Weight Capacity 

Knowing the weight capacity of the mobility scooter is extremely important. If you exceed the weight capacity then the performance of the mobility scooter will be significantly affected. It can damage the motor, the battery, the frame and impact the performance of the scooter in terms of power and range. 

The further below the weight limit a rider is, the more optimised the mobility scooter performance will be. 

Scooter Weight and Size 

Mobility scooters can be as light as 15kg or heavier than 70kg. Once you know what you want your scooter for it narrows your search based on scooter weight. 

If you want to travel with your scooter i.e. take it on public transport, taxis or in the car, then a lightweight mobility scooter would be suitable for you. 

If you want your scooter for longer journeys and want a more comfortable and secure ride, a heavier scooter may be more suitable. These scooters are usually much larger so it’s important to think about how you will store it. 

Range 

Different mobility scooters will have different ranges, depending on the wattage of the battery. If you plan on being out on your scooter all day and / or taking long journeys on it, then you’ll need to purchase a mobility scooter with a long battery life.