MOBILITY SCOOTER BUYING...... NEW OR USED ? : eBay Guides

If buying for the first time,try to visit as many shops as possible,and collect all brochures and leaflets you can.Think about what you really need a scooter for.The very small ones are only meant for very short distances or for carrying in the car boot.They can be very unstable,the small 3 wheeelers are notorious on uneven ground or pavement climbing.Pick the largest scooter you can that matches your needs.Shop around,prices vary enormously,even for identical scooters.

If you are considering buying on Motability,the price you see in the shop,will nearly double !!

If buying  a Trade in or from Ebay try to test drive if you can possibly manage to.

If a scooter is listed as needing new batteries,these will cost you between 80 and 200 pounds depending on scooter size.

I have bought 2 from Ebay for a good price and had no problems. Ask the seller all the questions you can think of.

Distance quoted for a new scooter will not apply to a used scooter,even with new batteries.

Remember,a scooter will be your legs and don't risk bidding on one that you're not sure about.

Try to get advice from other scooter users,they can help you a lot.

Research any scooter you are considering buying..

Don't buy from anyone who states that they "dont know much about them"

Use caution when you see "selling for an uncle,Aunty or friend" etc.

If they can't answer basic questions then Don't buy

4 MPH Scooters can ONLY be used on pavements or crossing the road from pavement to pavement . 8 MPH can be used on the road (Except Dual carriageways ), or on pavements in the 4MPH mode.

Scooters are electric powered .. They DONT LIKE RAIN !! . If caught unexpectedly,try to get under cover till the rain slows down. Full covers look fine and keep you dry,but very expensive and a definite no no in strong winds.

Always try to carry a mobile phone... A phone box could be a long way off.

Insure your scooter,not expensive and most will ensure you get home it if you have problems. Ask exactly what the insurance will cover, and more important, What it doesn't !

If you are using a scooter daily,then charge it every night. This bit of advice was given to me by battery manufacturers . Ignore anyone who says " Let it run nearly flat first "  This will RUIN batteries  !!!  

Get yourself a bag for shopping. Avoid scooter shops for these . Mine came from the local Army & Nave surplus or sports shops. A nice rucksack will be cheaper and hold more than a conventional scooter bag. The shoulder straps will easily fasten it to your seat.Don,t stand shopping on your footboard, Unsafe and my wife never let me forget it when lost I a bag of carrots !!

I HAVE BEEN A SCOOTER USER FOR OVER 4 YEARS NOW AND HOPE MY ADVICE WILL KEEP YOU ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW .

SCOOTER ' CLUBS ' ARE POPPING UP IN SOME TOWNS.IF YOU FIND ONE NEAR YOU THEN JOIN THEM . VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL.  IF NOT THEN WHY NOT ' SCOOTER ' WITH A FRIEND !

 ** GOOD LUCK , BEST WISHES AND MOST OF ALL HAPPY AND SAFE SCOOTERING **