Choosing a Mobility Scooter

Choosing a mobility scooter can initially seem a daunting prospect, with a number of different classes of scooter existing, and several choices within each. Our experienced product specialists can guide you through the options - just call us on 0800 025 8005. Alternatively, this handy guide provides a good starting point when working out which to go for.

Storage

The first thing to consider when choosing a mobility scooter is how much room you have to store it. Full-sized scooters can be quite large and scooters should generally be kept indoors to maintain the condition of the batteries. While people do often keep scooters outdoors, cold (and excessively hot) temperatures are bad for battery life, while exposure to the elements will degrade the scooter. If you want your scooter to run at its best and last a long time, you should keep it inside.

If you have steps or thresholds, you may need ramps to get your scooter into your property. Even the largest scooters have very limited kerb climbing ability.

Each of our product pages gives the dimensions of the scooter, and for those with less space, a compact boot scooter may be preferable. Some smaller scooters also have the option to remove the batteries for charging, meaning the scooter can be kept in a vehicle or unheated garage while the battery is charged in your house.

Usage

Probably the most important thing to bear in mind is what use the scooter is going to be put to. Generally speaking, the less smooth the ground you'll be driving over, and the more you want to use it, the larger the scooter you should get.

Small boot scooters are limited to flat pavements, paved pathways or shopping centres, and have limited ranges. While they can sometimes be driven over other surfaces, the small wheels can struggle with soft ground while bumpy surfaces can dislodge the batteries. Their compact size, however, does allow them to manoeuvre around many shops.

Class 2 pavement scooters overcome many of these limitations with larger wheels and bigger batteries. If you are sticking to pavement use, and don’t need to transport the scooter in a car, pavement scooters are the ideal solution. However, they remain limited to 4 mph - roughly walking pace - and cannot be driven on roads.

For those looking to drive longer distances, a Class 3 scooter will be needed. They feature higher top speeds of 6 or 8 mph, full suspension, and can be driven on roads. They allow you to get where you need faster, and can also be driven further, with ranges of up to 30 miles.

While manufacturers do advertise ranges for their products, these should always be taken with a pinch of salt, and are more useful for comparing different products by the same manufacturer than products from different manufacturers. We therefore recommend battery size as a key indicator of range, and this should be looked at when working out if a product will go the distance that you need.

Please note that mobility scooters are designed for outdoor use only, or in large spaces such as shopping centres. If you are looking for mobility assistance around the house, then a powered wheelchair would be more suitable.

Transportability

Boot scooters are designed to be easily dismantled into small parts that can fit in the back of a car. These parts usually weigh around 15 kg (2.3 stone) each, so they are liftable. They are therefore the best solution if you are looking to transport your scooter in a car.

Scooters that can be easily folded up do exist, and sometimes feature lightweight lithium-ion batteries. However, the downside to these is that they cannot be taken apart, meaning you have to lift the entire scooter if you want to get it into or out of a car.

Some pavement scooters can be dismantled, but these tend to be heavier and more cumbersome to take apart. These scooters are therefore best for those who want the benefits of a larger scooter and only need to transport their scooter very occasionally, for example on holiday.

Larger scooters are generally not dismantlable. If you need to transport them, you would need an adapted vehicle or van and ramps.

We have partnered with Autochair to supply their range of car hoists, which do the work of lifting a scooter into your car - these can cater even to large 8 mph road scooter, depending on the size of your vehicle, and are an ideal solution if you're wanting to transport your scooter regularly, but might struggle with lifting. Further information on their hoists and other services can be found here.

If you wish to use your scooter on public transport, you will need to check with your bus or train company first to see if they have any size restrictions. Most buses will only take boot scooters; anything larger than this will not be allowed to board. When travelling on a train, bear in mind that unfortunately many stations still lack step free access.

Comfort

There are a number of features that scooters can have to aid in the comfort of the user. Seating is the first thing to consider - do you need a high-back chair with a headrest (only on larger scooters) or is a low-back folding seat sufficient? Many scooters have adjustable seats that can be reclined slightly, or have armrests adjusted, to fit your posture - however, not all will offer these features. Rotating seats can be vital for those who struggle to sit and stand, as they aid getting onto and off the scooter.

Leg position is vital to your comfort. Taller drivers will want to ensure they have space for their legs, and a seat that can be adjusted backwards is ideal here. Long scooters generally have more legroom, and being able to move your feet between the footwell and resting on the wheel arches is often a bonus. Larger wheels will affect the height of the wheel arch, so bear this in mind. Conversely, if you are particularly short, make sure your legs will reach the floor - some scooters can be supplied with a height-adjustable foot box to aid with this.

The smoothness of the ride is crucial too. Small basic boot scooters may prove quite “rattly” over bumpy ground - not ideal for those with back conditions. Full suspension, large wheels, and pneumatic tyres all contribute to comfort.

Heavier users will need a scooter with a larger weight capacity - it may be best to look for an HD scooter that comes with a large seat. It is always best to allow some leeway on the weight capacity - many health conditions can cause your weight to fluctuate.

If you have arthritis or similar problems with your hands, then look out for scooters with ergonomic handlebars that are comfortable to grip for extended periods of time. Curved delta tillers are popular as they allow a variety of grips while safely controlling the scooter.

Appearance

Like with all products, scooters come in a variety of styles. While there are definitely scooters available that have more modern, attractive appearances, these often come at a premium. It’s also worth bearing in mind that older scooters are often still available because the design is tried and tested!

Safety

If you are driving a scooter around, you want to know that you are driving a safe piece of equipment. Scooters designed to be driven on the road will have lights on them to ensure that they are visible to others – look out for LED lights that are brighter and use less power. At least one wing mirror will also be required to drive a scooter on the road. Sturdy bumpers and a solidly-build scooter will also help to ensure your safety.

Cost

The cost of scooters is mainly affected by their size, manufacturer and features. Smaller scooters are cheaper, while large road-capable vehicles are more expensive. For those after a road scooter, but on a budget, there are more compact 6 and 8 mph scooters that offer significant savings over full-sized scooters.

Some manufacturers are more expensive than others - TGA pitch themselves as a "premium" brand, and their scooters are significantly more costly. At the opposite end of the scale, there are some manufacturers' models considered "budget" scooters by comparison. It is often the scooters in the middle that represent the best value - not too costly, yet reliable and offering much of the performance of more expensive models. Pride Mobility, Invacare and Sunrise Medical in particular fit in this middle bracket with their scooters.

Options

Most scooters can have a range of accessories fitted to them, such as baskets, bags and crutch holders. Various covers and shelters are also available, although it is always best to store scooters indoors where they are not exposed to cold temperatures or damp conditions.

We often get enquiries about canopies for scooters. While they can be useful for keeping the rain off, they come with a number of downsides. For a start, canopies are often hard to remove, meaning you may be stuck with them fitted during the summer when they can get stiflingly hot. Moreover, the lack of windscreen wipers means that rain builds up on the canopy, restricting your vision - while condensation on the inside further hinders this. This means that canopies can often be unsafe to drive during rainy conditions, undermining the reason for having them. Finally, canopies do affect the stability of scooters, particularly during windy conditions.

Manufacturer

We currently supply scooters from several leading manufacturers – Pride Mobility, TGA Mobility, Sunrise Medical Sterling, Motion Healthcare, and Invacare. Pride Mobility has one of the largest ranges of scooters, able to cater to most needs with their affordable yet reliable scooters, while their Apex range features more advanced models with enhanced comfort. Invacare are a global leader for medical products, and their scooters are trusted, modern and easy to maintain.

TGA sit at the top end of the market with their Breeze, Vita and Minimo ranges significantly more expensive than equivalent scooters from other manufacturers.

Sunrise Medical’s new Sterling S-series scooters combine modern style and comfort, whilst remaining relatively inexpensive.

Backup Service

All our scooters come with at least a one year Manufacturer’s Warranty - Invacare and TGA scooters come with either a two or three year warranty. We honour this with our own technicians in our own vans - no need to go through a third party or to send the scooter back to us. With coverage across London and the South East, we can get to you quickly should you experience a problem. Further to this, if your scooter was purchased from us, or you are hiring, we can provide a free of charge loan while yours undergoes repair.

We are appointed representatives for Fish Insurance, and are able to talk you through their range of Insurance, Breakdown Cover and Extended Warranty services.

If you are hiring from us, or leasing a scooter through the Motability scheme, it will be fully insured with breakdown cover included. Additionally, those purchasing a new scooter from us get 3 months free insurance a standard.

Our full range of mobility scooters can be viewed on our products page, and the individual product listings contain in-depth descriptions of their features, as well as detailing product specifications and a number of pictures.

If after reading this guide, you need further assistance in choosing a mobility scooter, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer services team who will be able discuss your options with you. We can book an appointment for you to see a product specialist, who will be able to talk you over the various products available, and advise on which would be most suitable. They can then demonstrate our range of products to you, giving you the opportunity to try out a mobility scooter. This will allow you to experience our mobility scooters first-hand, an invaluable experience when making up your mind which to get.