This article has been written by a mobility scooter engineer.

It has been written to help people understand what decisions need to be made when purchasing a mobility scooter new or second. It also highlights some of the pitfalls that can be found when buying from online auctions.

Enlarge Image Everything you should know before buying a mobility scooter

During my many years in the mobility business I have acquired a vast knowledge of what to look for when purchasing a mobility scooter or power chair.

Never rush into making your purchase as buying the wrong product can be very costly indeed. I have been monitoring many on-line auctions recently and as yet I have not managed to find anything that stood out to me as being a real bargain. Many of the products I have seen for sale are inferior quality and do not appear to be a recognized make. Please note that there are lots of companies in China making Mobility scooters some of which are being imported into the UK and have no backup should things go wrong.

My first tip must be Do Not Buy A Mobility Scooter Unless It Has A Recognized Brand Name.

Pride Mobility Products (Pride)

Roma Medical ( Shoprider)

Days Medical (Strider)

Sunrise Medical (Sterling)

The above is not a complete list of recognized Brand names but in my opinion it’s a very good guide to work by. All the above companies have head offices in the UK and Dealers throughout the country all who offer a full back up service including spare parts. Spare parts for mobility scooters can be very expensive and it is very easy to buy a second hand mobility scooter that requires immediate attention.

Time to be aware

I have found that people usually sell their mobility scooter after they have not used it for a while and realized it is of no further use to them. When a mobility scooter has been stood for a while the batteries tend to sulphate very quickly. Due to the nature of these batteries, if they have been stood they are usually damaged beyond repair. Depending on the size of batteries needed the cost can be between 80 and 400 per pair.

Mobility scooters and power chairs are all Battery powered so if you do buy a second hand one make sure the batteries have been charged regularly (every time the mobility scooter has been used )or at least once a week if the mobility scooter has been out of use.

Electronic Mag Brakes

The breaking system on all mobility scooters and power chairs are controlled by the electronic controller and there is two common faults that go wrong with them if the machine has not been stored or used correctly.

1. The brake can seize up due to the damp air that can be found in many sheds and garages in the UK.

The average price of a mag break is 100 and that’s before someone has diagnosed the fault and charged you for the fitting of it. The main controllers are full of components that you are likely to find in the back of your TV set. So the question you must ask yourself here is If you left your TV set in a shed for 6 Months

Do You Think It Would Work Properly If You Plugged It Back In ?

I think we might agree on the answer here. A main controller for an average mobility scooter can cost from 200 up to 400. Sorry If I`m Putting You Off But There Is Still More You Need To Know. Mobility Scooters come in all shapes and sizes and it is very important that you choose the right one. Some mobility scooters are allowed on the road and some are not.

A Class 3 mobility scooter must be capable of a top speed of 8 mph and must have a speed control switch that allows the speed to be halved instantly when being driven on the pavements. It must also have Lights, (front and rear) traffic signal indicators, Hazard warning lights and an audible horn. If the vehicle is to be driven on or across a dual carriageway it must also be fitted with a flashing beacon that stands 6foot in height. Rear view mirrors are also essential.

A class 2 machine will only be allowed to drive on the pavements and cross minor roads where traffic control is in operation. Many Class 2 machines now have lights and indicators fitted to them as standard and it is important that you do not get confused between the two classes of machine.

The latest craze seems to be for fold up scooters. This is where things can get tricky. I have seen many portable mobility scooters advertised for sale lately, both new and second hand. I must admit that I am shocked at what some people will do to sell these portable mobility scooters. Don’t get me wrong here. I am not against these products, on the contrary I really think they are a valuable addition to the mobility scooters business. I just want people to be aware that they are not designed to travel very far even when new. I have recently seen advertisements boasting that some of them have a range of 25 miles+. Now that’s what I call outrageous.

If a mobility scooter is fitted with 12 amp/hour batteries as so many are and they are carrying a person of average weight in average conditions. It is likely that from new they will only have a range of 6 to 8 miles. As they get older you will be lucky to get to the end of your street without having problems.

Portable mobility scooters are ideal for shopping centers and parks but if you want to go any further I suggest you give me a quick call before you buy anything. Another thing about portable mobility scooters is they nearly all have solid tyres, plastic seats and no suspension. Some of these mobility scooters also boast a 21 stone capacity. I am 10 stone 4 pounds and they struggle to pull me up a slight incline when they are brand new. So if you don’t ring me for advice before you buy at least ride one of these mobility scooters up a slight hill before you part with any cash and remember the batteries get worse as they get older.

3 wheels or 4

There is something at this point I think I need to make very clear. No mobility scooters are designed for indoor and outdoor use. If you want something that will be effective for both uses you should be looking at a power chair / Electric wheelchair. 3 wheeled mobility scooters are far more manoeuvrable than 4 wheeled ones. 3 wheeled mobility scooters are also very handy if you have long legs or large feet as they have much more leg room. Always try and match your size and weight before you buy. A mobility scooter can be a very useful machine if you get the right one but if you don’t it can be very costly. I am always available to give free advice on this matter. The main advantage of 4 wheeled mobility scooters is purely psychological.

I find that all mobility scooters made by reputable companies are very stable due to strict guidelines that are enforced upon them but I must mention that there are some machines on the market that I would not recommend to anyone so please be careful. I am not in the business of slating products so don’t ask me to name any that I disprove of. However I am always available to recommend quality products. Quality products are not necessarily the most expensive and I will be very happy to prove this too you if you care to contact me.

Weights and distances

These can be a bit mysterious. I know of a full size 8 mph mobility scooter that has 2×50 amp hour batteries as standard that has a maximum load weight of only 18 Stone. And yet there is also some portable lightweight mobility scooters on the market with 2×12 amp hour batteries that are supposed to do 4 mph and carry a max load of 21 stone. This just goes to show how confusing and misleading some companies can be.

Weights of mobility scooters x power x weight of occupant.= mysterious and dodgy. As an engineer I will happily steer you in the right direction if you wish to give me a call. At this point I must stress that I am not a salesman. Although I do sell Mobility Products. I only sell products that I believe in, ones that I know have a proven track record of reliability and ones that spare parts are always available for within a few days. You do not need to be a salesperson to sell things you believe in.

If there is anything that I have not covered here that you wish to know please do not hesitate to give me a call. I do not bite and possess no selling skills at all. What I do have though is a vast knowledge of Mobility Products that I am more than willing to share with you. It might be that I put you off buying one but I would rather put you off than see you buy something that is of no use to you. The advice I give is offered to you in good faith and under no circumstances will I get involved in problems that have arisen from people buying inferior products from door to door salesmen, internet sales or mail order products.

My aim is offer advice that will save you time, trouble and money when purchasing a mobility scooter.

Mobility Products Ltd
Tel 01253 356793 or 07763697625
Website: www.cheapest-scooters.co.uk

second hand mobility scooters
Mobility Products Ltd

By steve greaves
Published: 6/10/2008

Who would want a second hand mobility scooter?
I have an 18 month old mobility scooter in north London, but I am having trouble giving it away. Can anyone suggest a place, a person or an organisation that would appreciate what is an expensive piece of equipment?

Free Advise on buying mobility scooters online
Found out we purchase the scooter from a company in China fef and the contact details we had were for a storage company in the UK. Purchased a real bargain to find out it was a returned second hand scooter. 

Power Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters: a Buyer´s Guide
Plus second hand items which have been unused for a while can have problems with batteries and brakes. You also have to consider the matter of warranties. Repairing a mobility device can be expensive. You also have to consider matters 

Supplies and Equipment for Medical Resources
Mobility scooters are also another life-enhancing equipment. This is like a bicycle but with supporting wheels at the back for steady balance. This motorized equipment allows people with mobility issues to conduct themselves

Finding a second hand mobility scooter
When a mobility scooter would be a positive change in your life or the life of a loved one, the cost of a scooter is a barrier that prevents you buy, you want to view in May, the purchase of a used or needed mobility scooter

Technorati Tags: second hand mobility scooters, used mobility scooters

Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters are specially designed for people who have low mobility. An electric scooter is basically a battery-operated vehicle with the capacity of only one person. These scooters are mainly used by those people who feel difficulty in standing or walking for long periods of time.

The Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters are either designed for indoor use, outdoor use and both indoor and outdoor use. The main difference between an Electric Scooter and a motorized wheelchair is that the later is generally intended for indoor use and also costs more.

The Mobility scooters generally come in a wide range of styles which are capable of accommodating different types of user needs. The Electric Scooters can have three wheels or maybe four.

All these scooters run with battery power, so there is no chance to create environmental pollution. The pair of batteries used by these scooters are rechargeable and need to be re-charged on a regular basis. The time and distance covered by an electric scooter after every charging depends significantly on the type of battery and its capacity.

There is no need to worry about the operation of these scooters as they are very easy. The Electric Scooters are generally equipped with advanced brake systems which make the stopping of these scooters very simple. These scooters also have parking brake which stops from rolling the vehicle when it is parked.

Different types of Electric Scooters

There are different types of Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters according to the various users needs. They are as follows:

1) Transportable or Foldable Mobility Scooters: As the name implies these scooters are easily foldable and ready to transport at any time. These type of scooters are perfect for people those who love traveling. These scooters can be disassembled into 3 or 4 pieces of light parts, according to the different scooter models, for easy transport in most cars trunks.

2) Three-Wheeled Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters: The three- wheeled mobility scooters offer full-sized comfort and durability which is absolutely perfect for both indoor as well as outdoor use. These scooters have a maximum weight capacity of 300 to 500 lbs.

3) Four-Wheeled Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters: Whenever maximum stability is required a fourth wheel is necessary to support the three- wheeled structure to obtain a stable platform. These types of scooters are mainly used for outdoor use. These scooters have bigger tires with wider base and can go as fast as 10 mph.

4) Heavy Duty Electric Scooters: These scooters are built for heavy people who weigh more than 350 pounds. These scooters come with both three and four-wheeled models and with the weight capacity up to 500 pounds.

The Advantages of Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters

The main advantages of Electric Scooters or Mobility Scooters are as follows:

1)As the Electric Scooters are powered by battery therefore no physical exertion is required.
2)The people with low mobility can go uphill very easily with the help of these scooters.
3)The person who feels difficulty in walking does not need anybodies assistance to drive these scooters as it is very easy operating these scooters.

Technorati Tags: second hand mobility scooters, used electric scooters