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

There are many situations in which an individual may experience complications when it comes to limited mobility. For these people, purchasing a portable mobility scooter may be an excellent option!

These handy devices can allow an individual who has limitations when it comes to movement to remain independent with regard to moving from one place to another. If you have complications getting around and would like to search for a comfortable and convenient means of mobility, there are some of the basic features that should be considered when purchasing a portable mobility scooter.

The first thing that you should consider is the area that you will be using the device in. There are many different sizes when it comes to scooters. Naturally, if you live in a small space, you will need to select one that will maneuver around in this space easily. Small scooters with three wheels are often the best choice when it comes to this situation. If you live in a larger space, you may consider the larger, sturdier, four wheel portable mobility scooters.

The next thing that you should research are the accessories that can be purchased on these devices. Generally, you can select to have arm rests on the seat, and various types of baskets installed on the unit. You should really take the time to think about the possibilities and the comfort level associated with these accessories. This is a device that you will be using on a daily basis, and it is important to ensure that it contains the things that you need, and that you can be comfortable when using it.

The third thing that you should consider is whether or not your health insurance will cover the purchase of such a device. It has been found that if the unit will improve your overall quality of life, most health insurance agencies will cover most if not all of the costs associated with the unit. They may require that you purchase the accessories yourself, but this is a small price to pay when it comes to the money that could be spent on the device itself.

When shopping for a portable mobility scooter, there are many things that you should consider. It is absolutely vital to ensure that you take the things mentioned in this article and carefully consider them. This is a large purchase, so it is best that you take the time to make sure that you are making the best choice. A portable mobility scooter can give you the peace of mind and comfort that you so desperately need when you experience complications in mobility.

Visit us for more information on ultra lightweight manual wheelchairs, folding wheelchair ramp and electric scooters with seat.

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Technorati Tags: Portable Mobility Scooters, used mobility scooters