Thinking of buying a mobility scooter? Read on…
These days, there are so many companies selling them and so many models, it’s difficult to know where to start. Many people are confused and sometimes put off by the sheer mountain of choice out there. That’s why it’s a good idea to find the right people with experience who can guide you through the wide variety and help you come to the right decision. We are those people, with over thirty years in the business, we know all there is to know about scooters. We’ve sold thousands over the years, both new and second hand, and we always strive to find the right scooter for every customer. That’s why so many customers come back to us, because they know we are people they can trust, with the knowledge to help them.
But not everybody has access to that information, so we decided to put this guide together, to help people understand what’s out there, what to expect, what to look for and what to avoid. There are plenty of shady dealers out there who will sell you anything you like, but how do you know if its any good? If it’s right for you, whether its new or what the batteries are like? Hopefully this guide will help you.
So, the first thing you need to know is there are three basic types of scooters, they are:
Boot scooters (sometimes called travel scooters) come apart or fold up to put them in the boot of a car. These are called class 2 scooters, which means they are for driving on the pavements, not on roads. They are only really designed for flat areas like shopping centres and seafronts. The average distance they can travel is 6-8 miles on a single charge. These tend to have small, solid wheels and a weight limit of up to 18st. Lots of people buy boot scooters for their holidays or for shopping trips.
Rigid 4mph scooters are also the same class as above, but they are rigid, which means they don’t come apart. They have bigger batteries so they can travel up to 18 miles. These are also pavement scooters, ideal for people who live in town. You can pop to the shops or visit family safe in the knowledge there’s plenty of battery power to get you home. They tend to have inflatable tyres and lights.
8mph scooters are known as class 3 scooters, these are the ones that cause the most confusion. Class 3 scooters are the only ones allowed to be legally driven on the road. They have lights, indicators and reflectors. They have to be registered with DVLA, but this is simple and free, so don’t be put off. The law does not require a driving license to use one. Insurance is also not a legal requirement, but it is advisable. These can also be driven on pavements, but only when the speed has been restricted to 4mph. Luckily most scooters have a switch to do this.
These are, broadly speaking the three basic types of scooter. There are some scooters that cross the lines, for example, some 8mph scooters will come apart and some smaller scooters are 8mph, but these three categories cover the majority of the market.
Although the above outline may be helpful, let’s take a more in depth look at each category.
Boot Scooters (and Folding scooters)
Types: There are lots of different models of boot scooter, made by lots of different companies, but don’t let that discourage you, they are all very similar. Most models come apart in a similar way, they are all fairly light in weight and are all made to be driven only on pavements, they all have roughly the same ‘range’ (when we say range, we mean the distance they will travel on a single charge).
Batteries: Broadly speaking, boot scooters will have either two 12Ah or two 18Ah batteries. The smaller 12Ah batteries will realistically give you a range of 5 to 7 miles (manufacturers will tell you 10) the larger 18Ah batteries will travel 10 to 12 miles (manufacturers say 15).
The battery packs can be lifted out and charged separately if required, this is handy for some people, it means the scooter can stay in the boot of the car and they just carry the battery box into the house at the end of the day to recharge it.
Hints and tips:
These little scooters are all roughly the same. They all tend to be the same basic size, weight and travel distance, so if you are looking for this type of scooter, you should sit on as many as you can, because they have different seats and slightly different heights and lengths. So, a boot scooter that suits you, might not suit someone else. That’s why we keep such a large range in stock. Because it’s not just about price, it’s about comfort, if you’ve got to sit on it for extended periods, it needs to be comfortable. Boot scooters are only good for flat areas, like shopping centres or seafronts. Take a boot scooter up a hill too often and you’re likely to wear the motor out.
Their weight limit is usually around 18 stone. They are perfect for taking on holiday, out shopping or day trips. But not great for everyday heavy use, the batteries just don’t have the power, replacement batteries cost between £50 and £80 for a pair, fitted.
Price: for a brand-new boot scooter, you should be paying £700 to £900. Avoid cheap scooters, there are lots of scooters flooding the market, they may look the part, but the build quality is very poor and they can break down within a year, that’s the bottom line. If you’re offered a ‘new’ boot scooter for less than £300, it won’t be any good, trust me. We only stock reliable, good quality machines from recognised manufacturers.
Second hand? here are some pointers:
Don’t pay too much or too little, too much and it’s not worth it, too little and it’s probably ready for the knackers’ yard. A good indicator might be the tyres, have a sneaky look at them, if they’re worn, it’s had a lot of use. Try to find out when it was bought, whether it’s had a service and what the batteries are like. When we have a pre-owned scooter for sale, we service it and test the batteries, if they’re no good, we replace them with new.
Remember, they are all roughly the same, but there are exceptions. Like our new ultralight boot scooter called the Illusion. This scooter is made from aircraft grade aluminium with lithium-ion batteries, it weighs less than 30kgs, with the heaviest piece being only 9kgs. It’s almost half the weight of some boot scooters, but with the same performance, call in anytime for a demonstration.
With regard to folding scooters, to me they can be a double-edged sword. First of all, they are expensive. On average twice the price of a scooter that comes apart. Second, they can be quite heavy, that can’t be helped, the mechanism involved in the folding process requires a lot of moving parts. And third, they tend to be quite small. What I mean by small is the footprint of the scooter, they aren’t usually very big, and most are three wheeled, so balance can be an issue for some users.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, for some people a folding scooter is perfect. If you want something for a brief ride along the seafront, or to take on a cruise ship, this may be what you’re looking for. If you have a car with a very low boot or you can lift easily enough, then it could be ideal for you. These scooters usually have a range of 5-8 miles, cost around £2000 and weigh an average of 30-plus Kgs.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to use a folding scooter for long periods, their size tends to mean they can get uncomfortable after several hours. Second hand prices are around £800-£1200 depending on age and condition. I’m not going to spend a lot of time writing about these, because they are bought by people with very specific needs, if you think you would like to see some examples, come into our showroom anytime, day or ni…well, just day really. We are open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturdays until 12 midday, there’s always a friendly face here ready to help you.
Rigid 4mph scooters
These are great little machines. 4mph mobility scooters are known as class 2 scooters, they are designed to be driven on the pavement, they are not for driving on the road (but you can cross the road). Typically, these might have lights, suspension or inflatable tyres, they usually don’t come apart to fit in the car, but some can. Again, these types of scooter are all very similar and choosing should be about comfort and affordability. Remember, the most expensive isn’t always the most comfortable. You are looking for the one that best suits you, so sit on as many as you can before you decide. That’s why we try to stock as many as possible, to give people the best choice.
Batteries: Pavement scooters usually have 35ah batteries. Giving a range of 20 miles or thereabouts on a single charge. These should be charged overnight after every use. These are perfect for local travel, depending on the geography. If you live near the shops or friends and family, this might be the perfect scooter for you.
Prices: A brand new, class 2 pavement scooter should cost somewhere in the region of £1300. When buying, always ask about the range and weight limit, you can ask what colours are available, does it come with mirrors, a basket or stick holder. Ask what size batteries are fitted and how much warranty comes with it (12 months warranty tends to be the norm) Check the tyres, if it really is brand new, they should be clean and immaculate.
Thinking of buying second hand? take my advice:
Second hand scooters of this type are very common, the most important thing you need to be wary of is the age. We had a customer who said they’d bought a 2-year-old second-hand scooter that had mysteriously stopped working. As soon as he brought it to us, we knew it was ten years old, the poor machine was very tired and the batteries had to be replaced.
If you need to replace batteries in this type of scooter, we charge £135 a pair for the 35Ah, and that’s fitted. Bear that in mind while negotiating the price. Be wary of any squeaking or grating sounds coming from the rear, that’s where the motor is, if that packs in, it could be expensive to replace or repair.
Bottom line, don’t buy anything noisy or old! All our pre-owned scooters are thoroughly checked and serviced by our engineers, if its not in good working order, we don’t sell it. it just wouldn’t be ethical or safe, and safety is essential when dealing with mobility scooters.
8 mph Scooters
All 8mph scooters are known as class 3 scooters, which means they can be driven on the road. Class 3 scooters cause the most confusion. So just to be clear, you don’t need a license for one, and you don’t need insurance, although it is advisable. These scooters are bigger than most and will travel longer distances, they usually have inflatable tyres, big batteries, lights, indicators, a horn and mirrors. The weight limit is usually 21 stone, although the Invacare Comet ultra has a 31 stone limit. All class 3 scooters have to be registered with DVLA, it’s very simple and it doesn’t cost anything, you just fill out a form, send some ID with it and they take care of the rest. We keep copies of all the forms required at EDC and can help you fill these in. You can’t drive a scooter on the path at 8mph, you have to set the scooter to 4mph first. Luckily, most scooters just have a button that will restrict it to 4mph.
Batteries: Class 3 scooters will usually have two expensive 79ah or 75ah batteries, this will give a range of around 25 miles, sometimes even up to 30 miles. The batteries are enclosed, usually under the seat. They are strong and powerful and will handle most hills easily enough.
Pricing: A decent quality new class 3 mobility scooter will set you back at least £2000, though some high-end machines can cost twice that, our advice is don’t be cheap. Good quality scooters cost money. It’s because of the build quality, they need to be built to a very high standard. Somebody recently told me he could buy a new class 3 scooter online for £800 I told him to buy it, but don’t bring it to us when it breaks down, because it will. The issue is they have to travel long distances, sometimes on uneven ground, for long periods, so they have to be made to a high standard, so if you’re looking for one, make sure it’s made by a recognised UK supplier. The market is flooded with cheap, inferior scooters from all over the world, so avoid cheap ones as best you can.
Buying second hand?
Good quality scooters hold their value. You should be looking at paying somewhere between £700 and £1200 depending on its age and condition. Any less than that and its likely to be in pretty poor shape, but not always. Have a look at the condition, if it’s been looked after it should be clean and undamaged. Find out how often it was charged. Look at the tyres are they solid or inflated, do they look worn? Where was it stored? Indoors is always best because they can suffer from the damp. Try to get a look at the batteries, see if they are the right size and if they look new or old. The condition of the batteries is important because replacing batteries of this size is going to cost hundreds. A set of 79ah batteries will cost £345 a pair, fitted. 73ah Gel batteries are £450! so be wary. If you buy a second-hand scooter and the batteries are not good, it will be expensive, there’s more about batteries below. But just so you know, when we sell a second hand scooter, the batteries are tested, so we can tell you how healthy the batteries are. You get a 3-month warranty anyway, regardless.
Finally, all 8mph scooters have to be registered with DVLA, even when bought privately, so you should get a log book when you buy one. If you don’t, you’ll have to register it yourself. Don’t worry, it’s really simple, get yourself a V55 form, it comes with a guide on how to fill it in. Alternatively, we can always help with these, whenever we sell a class 3 scooter, we handle all the paperwork for a customer.
Batteries: a rough guide
All mobility scooters run on batteries, always in pairs, usually under the seat. They tend to be sealed lead acid batteries. Where batteries are concerned a simple rule of thumb is the bigger the batteries, the further you go. Mobility scooter batteries are relatively simple to replace, but should only be installed by properly trained technicians. It’s worth mentioning that you should never mix and match battery manufacturers, types or sizes, we only use batteries from trusted suppliers, they may be expensive to some, but they are the best. If you see large batteries for sale and they’re cheap, they probably won’t last. You get what you pay for, and if you look after your batteries, they should last you years. But remember, even good batteries can only last a couple of years depending on the amount of use.
Always fully charge your batteries. Ideally, a scooter would be charged overnight after every use, even after very light use. It doesn’t do a scooter any harm to go on a long run. In fact, a decent discharge is very good for it.
Nowadays, modern smart chargers will shut down automatically when the batteries are fully charged, so don’t worry about leaving a scooter plugged in. Oh, and I have heard a few people recently talk about ‘overcharging’ batteries by leaving the scooter plugged in, please believe me when I tell you, that will not happen.
Near the end now:
To sum up, there are lots of different scooters out there and they all do different things. If you are thinking of buying one, think about what you want it for. That’s the key here, what do you want it to do? It’s all very well deciding you like one because its big, or a friend has one, but at the end of the day you are going to need one that meets your needs.
So, the big question is: Which scooter best suits you? Are you only needing it for day trips with family? Then a boot scooter might be recommended. Need the freedom to pop to the local supermarket or visit family? Then try a class 2 solid scooter. Want the freedom to explore your local area and the independence to go anywhere local at any time? Then a class 3 may be the answer. If you’re still not sure, call in to Exeter Disability Centre and speak to a qualified adviser, or we can arrange to come to you with a couple of mobility scooters to try out where you live.
The last bit:
My advice to anyone thinking about buying a mobility scooter is always the same, sit on as many as you can, because one of them will feel just right. If you find a machine you like sitting on, and the ride is comfortable, I suggest you buy it. It may not be easy getting used to the fact that you need one, but if you have to, at least treat yourself to one that’s just right for you!
Finally, if you need more advice, or are still unsure about buying a new or pre-owned scooter, then come and see the experts. We have the largest range of top-quality scooters in the entire region and can offer you the professional support and advice you need. There’s no pressure, we don’t operate on commission, we are not sales driven, we are just there to help you get mobile.
We hope you found this guide helpful, if you have any queries or suggestions, please email us at info@edcsales.co.uk or call us on: 01392 824428 for more information.