Mobility Scooter Buyers Guide

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There are 3 main things you should consider before buying a mobility scooter

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1. Will you need to transport it?

If so you would be best suited to a scooter from our ‘boot scooter’ range. If the scooter will be used locally from home we would recommend either a 'pavement scooter' or a 'class 3 scooter' depending on the terrain and distance required.

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2. Whats the weight limit of the scooter?

 All scooters will have a user weight limit, we advise that if you are going to be going up any kind of incline you look at scooters with a higher weight limit than you need to get the longest life out of the equipment. It’s also a good idea to consider additional weight that might be carried on the scooter such as shopping or a pet, or if you may develop a weight gain within the future.

We can supply mobility scooters that can carry up to 65 stone so finding a scooter would never be an issue.

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3. Where will you be using it?

Its important to consider where it will be used as all mobility scooters will have their limitations.

We have listed the basic capability's of the 3 main types of mobility scooter but each make and model will have its own limitations so its important that you check.

• If you need a lightweight scooter that will fit in the boot of a car to use on shopping trips, maybe along the sea front or just on flat even surfaces, then we would recommend a ‘boot scooter’. Check the hill climbing capability of the model you like if you are wanting to go up any inclines as boot scooters are generally not good for hill climbing.   

• If you would like a scooter to use locally from home for general use, to the shops, visiting friends, walking the dog etc, on slightly uneven pavements then we would recommend you look at 'pavement scooters’. They are slightly larger, comfier, go further, will have better hill climbing capability's, & are generally just a more capable type of mobility scooter.

• If you want to regularly make longer trips or just enjoy the outdoors then a large class 3 scooter would be your best option.  'Class 3 mobility scooters' can be used both on roads & on pavements. Models are are available for off road use and some have much better hill climbing capabilities.

 

From our experience when a customer takes the leap and buys their first mobility scooter they are often surprised at how useful they are and tend to use them more than they expected, finding that their small boot scooter for example is no longer substantial enough as they would now like to walk the dog or nip to a friends on it. We advise that you consider this if you are looking at your first scooter. Even consider one of our 'pre-owned' scooters to see how you like it – you can always trade it in for a better one at a later date if you wish.

 

 

What’s the difference between mobility scooters?

 

Folding mobility scooters (boot scooters)

 These are the smallest type of mobility scooter and their main purpose is to be light and easy to put in the boot of your car for days out.  some will split into manageable sections, whilst some will simply fold up. Maximum speed will usually be 4mph.

 

Pavement mobility scooters

These are designed to be used to go out and about from home, they will go further, are designed for more regular use, and will cope much better with uneven terrain, but are compact in size for storage. Maximum speed will be 4mph.

 

Class 3 mobility scooters

These types of mobility scooter can legally be used both on the road & on the pavements. They can vary in size, but unlike pavement scooters their maximum speed will be 6 or 8mph. They will have at least one wing mirror, indicators, lights and a horn, and will generally go further -up to 35 miles on some bigger models!

 

Some models cross over these groups and some are even both ‘boot scooter’ and ‘class 3’ but generally mobility scooters will fit into these 3 groups.

We are always happy to chat, or even visit you to assess and advise on what type of scooter would best suit you.