As we get a little bit older it can be harder to get around like we used to, if you struggle to walk or get tired easily it would be great if we had a helping hand. Whether its down to advancing years, an accident or illness, its no fun when we are unable to participate in activities which have become a major part of our lives. Thankfully, these days help is at hand in the form of a mobility scooter which will allow you to carry on your life as before.

Mobility scooters are a single-seater motorised vehicle designed specifically for those of us who have difficulty walking. Generally running on battery power, they are capable of getting us where we want to go surprising quickly and are easily recharged in our own home so there’s no need to buy fuel. You simply plug your scooter into the mains to charge the battery after you take a trip. With a ranges of over 30 miles you can be sure that you can get everything done before you run out of power.

What to look for when buying a scooter

There is a wide range of models available for anyone who is in the market and with such variation in specification and price you’ll want to take a few things into consideration before deciding which one to buy. UK Mobility Scooters start at around £500 for a good basic model and rise all the way up to £4000 for a top of the range go anywhere scooter but don’t let the possible expense put you off as many of the more economical models are perfectly adequate for most uses and you can always look into purchasing a used mobility scooter if money is short.

You’ll want to consider the speed you need your electric scooter to be capable of doing and the only way to figure this out is think about where you will be using it. Mobility scooter motors are generally categorised into models which are capable of 4 mph and those which do 8 mph. If your primary reasoning for getting a scooter is to take the place car then obviously a faster model will be more suited as they are road legal and you’ll want to be using it on the road on a regular basis to travel over longer distances. The slower 4 mph electric scooters are great if you are looking for something to transport you around the shops, especially if you live in a town with a pedestrianised precinct and wide pavements.

Mecury Neo Mobility Scooter

A happy medium between the larger road legal mobility scooter and the portable model is know as the pavement scooter and these are probably the most suitable choice for the majority of individuals. Having much of the portability of the folding mobility scooter with better performance and build quality coupled with a realistic retail price, you can’t go wrong with one of these.

Using Your Mobility Scooter

Many people feel self-conscious when they begin to use a mobility scooter but with more people using these handy devices every day you can be assured that no one is paying any attention to your scooter. After a few days of use you will be so impressed with the improvement the scooter has made to your life that your only concern will be wondering what to do next. If you have been struggling with reduced mobility for any length of time it is amazing how quickly you become used to the fact you can’t get around like you used to but purchasing a mobility scooter will re-open so many doors to you that you won’t have enough hours in the day to fit everything in.

Most of us have a tough enough time carrying a large amount of shopping without having to worry about using a chair so its no wonder that accessories have been invented that make this job as easy as possible. Not only that but a variety of other accessories are also available to make life easier such as special holders for mobile phones, drinks and any other personal items. These devices are often known as caddies and can be easily found from many Online retailers.

A great number of different shapes and sizes of packs and bags are available that can be attached to a wheelchair. Some attach themselves to armrests or the back of the chair, while others go under the seat. Basically you can arm yourself with enough storage space to get pretty much any job done with ease. Its certainly easier than trying to balance a shopping bag on your lap as you attempt to make progress!

You also might want to use a umbrella and leg covers which can be fitted to provide shelter from the elements, especially important if you happen to live in the UK.

Wheelchair accessories make your life easier and allow you to go all the things you need to do in order to have the freedom you desire without having to rely on others. They are available at very affordable prices from many shops Online so you won’t even have to leave your house to get access to these very handy products. A high quality rear mobility bag can be purchased on Amazon for less then £25.

In the most basic sense, an electric wheelchair has helped millions of people who have lost the ability to walk to live much fuller lives. If they live close enough to a shopping area, they may even still be able to go there without anyone’s help, depending on the terrain between them and the stores. Then it is just a matter of being able to strap bags onto the wheelchair in some fashion (often store workers will help with this). Store workers may even, on occasion, be able to assist the elderly in a walk back to their home so that they can make sure nothing is dropped and wasted.

Then there are mobility scooters. These are best for people who can still walk, but maybe aren’t so well-equipped to handle the rigor of an extended distance walk. The electric scooter will take all the work out of it, and they can “scoot” around to wherever they need to go. Again, with this innovation I have seen many elderly people, especially men for some reason, employing it. If you are the child of an elderly person looking to use a scooter to get around, make sure that you are comfortable with them and their safety before allowing them to scoot on through the streets. If you are not, then it may be best to look into other forms of mobility aids, or maybe even an elderly transportation service, like a bus for seniors and/or handicapped people.

There are a few other innovations in the disability products field, but they all basically peel off of the two named above: the wheelchair and the scooter. The main difference between them is the level of security provided: a wheelchair will probably move slower and will definitely hold the user in tighter, while a scooter is a bit of a riskier proposition in terms of the possibility of falling off. It basically comes down to an analysis of the pros and cons in particular to the person who will be using it.

You would be right if you think that a mobility scooter would need a pretty powerful battery to ensure that it can do its job as intended. The exact type of battery you will need for a specific scooter will depend entirely on the model you use as there is even variation in batteries used within model ranges of the same manufacturer. The only way to find out for sure what you need is to consult your user manual or if needed, the manufacturer.

Batteries are expensive at the best of times and unfortunately because mobility scooter batteries are so tailored to the individual model it does mean they can be particularly expensive. Thankfully you can hope to get around two years service before you have to buy a new one and when you think about the amount of abuse these batteries must take on a daily basis this doesn’t sound too bad. Prices vary wildly but you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of £50 to £100.

Mobility Scooter Battery

To help your battery and scooter function at its maximum potential you should ensure that battery terminals are kept clean and free from corrosion and that connections are tightened regularly.

Your manual will have some tips for keeping your mobility scooter battery in the best possible condition but remember that whatever you do you will have to buy a new one at some point. Check out the prices in advance and budget for the expense so as not to get too big a shock when the time comes to make the purchase.

You might think that buying a used mobility scooter could be a recipe for disaster but if you are willing to do a little searching you should be able to find something that has been treated very well throughout its life and you could lucky and find one that has had very little use.

There is of course always a risk when buying anything second hand but if you get someone knowledgeable to check it out before you buy you should be able to purchase with confidence. Its not unheard if to discover a bargain that will set you back less than half the cost of a new scooter, so if you’re finding it impossible to get the money together buying used could be your only option.

The important things to keep in mind when buying a used mobility scooter are to make sure you get a brand name model. A generic scooter which has been produced without the required quality control will only lead to tears in the future and shouldn’t be bought for any price. Do your research beforehand and check out which manufacturers have the best name and decide on a short list of candidates that would suit you.

Where to buy a used mobility scooter

Your options are pretty limited when deciding were to look for a second hand mobility scooter if only because there are not that many on the market. You can always have a browse on Ebay to see what’s available, its always a good place to start to get an idea about the prices you should be paying and is handy when you are looking for mobility scooter spares such as a battery. You can find models with a low price tag here but again, make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing to check it over for you.

Another, better option is to go to an established used mobility scooter market which specializes in introducing buyers and sellers of mobility products. You will find a better range of models from which to choose and the sellers tend to be more genuine. Mobility product markets are also a great place to sell your own mobility scooter if you are trading up to a better model.

Things to look out for when buying a used mobility scooter

As I’ve already said if you want to buy second hand you really need a knowledgeable friend to help you through the purchasing process. There’s no point getting a supposed bargain only to find that I breaks down after a couple of weeks use.

You will need to check:

The battery – Buying a new battery could cost you anywhere between £50 and £100 so is important to check the scooter you are buying has one that functions well and holds a charge or you’ll need to factor the price of a new one into the price you pay.

Brakes – If the scooter you look at hasn’t been looked after and maintained properly then their is a chance that the brakes will need to be replaced. This is an expensive job, costing over £100 so you’ll want to give a used mobility scooter that needs new brakes a miss.

At the end of the day we all know that buying electrical equipment new is the best option but for many of us its just not possible. Buying second hand you miss out on the manufacturers warranty and you take a risk but you will save yourself a great deal of cash and would have to be unlucky to go badly wrong as long as you take care in the purchasing process.

Unlike driving other motorised vehicles on the public highway you’re not actually required by law to have insurance on your mobility scooter. The reason for this is that you are unlikely to cause any injury to other roads users or damage any property in using your scooter. That doesn’t mean you should neglect to take out insurance though because although you might not cause too much damage to the vehicles of others you can still end up with a large bill if you were to have an accident. Even if you never have to make a claim on you mobility vehicle insurance the peace of mind you will get knowing that your are covered in the event of a mishap will ensure it is worth the money.

What Does Mobility Scooter Insurance Cover?

If you were to hit and cause injury someone when driving your vehicle it could be important you have insurance to cover any costs that come up either in a court case or for compensation. This is obviously a worst case scenario which happens very rarely but its worth thinking about when considering whether or not to take out insurance.

Also, remember that you have spent a lot of money on your new scooter and anything of value is always at risk of theft. It would be a devastating financial hit to lose your mobility scooter to a thief and have no opportunity to recover the money, insurance takes that possibility away.

An added benefit to an insurance policy is that many of them provide breakdown cover. There can be nothing worse than being stranded with a vehicle that won’t move and having no way to get home so having an insurance company that is willing to take the responsibility to get you home safely is refreshing.

Where To Get Mobility Scooter Insurance

Mobility scooter insurance is widely available both from retailers and from general insurance brokers. I quick search on the Internet will find a few companies willing to cover you for a reasonable price.

Take the time to do a little research to find the best insurance for your money, you could even try asking your home insurance company if you would be willing to add insurance for your scooter on to your home policy. Whatever route you take you’ll free your mind of worry and possibly save yourself a fortune in the event of a mishap.