Hiring a mobility scooter long-term is a way of regaining your independence - without the added pressure of dealing with maintenance and repairs by yourself. If you’ve already made up your mind, the next thing to decide is how to choose the most suitable scooter for your needs and lifestyle. 

Your mobility scooter is something that you will be using to get around day-to-day. Whether that’s driving around your local town, picking up the weekly shopping, meeting up with friends or even jetting off on holiday.

It’s important that you feel happy and confident when driving it. Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start looking, or which type of scooter is right for you. In recent years, mobility scooters have come a long way. There is something out there for everyone and we’re here to help find what’s best for you.

We’ve put together this short guide to help you make the right decision when it comes to your new scooter.

What to consider when choosing a mobility scooter?

Where will you be using it?

Are you looking for something to take you around the local town? Or do you want a scooter that you can use to go a bit further afield?

The larger, road-going scooters are generally suitable for long distances and more varied types of flooring. These are mobility scooters that are designed to handle those uneven surfaces. Whether that’s pavements, bumpy paths, gravel or grass. You should choose a scooter that is listed as suitable for all-terrain if you want something that can tackle rougher surfaces.

If you want something to get you to and from the shops with ease, then you’ll be happy with a car boot mobility scooter. These slightly smaller scooters are well-equipped for things like shopping centres and smoother pavement travel.

What speed are you looking for?

There are a range of scooters that will drive at different speeds. We offer both 4 mile and 8 mile scooters. 4 mile scooters are suitable for pavement use only. This means you’ll be able to drive your scooter when doing everyday activities, such as:

• Weekly shopping

• Walking the dog

• Travelling into town

If you want something that is perfect for town use but also able to go that bit faster, then you can choose a motor reaching up to 8mph. Take a look at our full range of scooters here.

What range?

How far do you hope to travel on your new scooter? You might want to think about how long your daily trips will take you. If you’re looking to travel that bit further then you will be more suited to a model with larger batteries. The larger the battery, the further you will be able to drive before needing to recharge your scooter.

What kind of lifestyle do you have?

Do you enjoy shorter strolls or popping out to the shops? If so, it’s likely that a pavement-friendly 4mp mobility scooter will suit you just fine. These compact models are ideal if you want something comfortable and stylish that will simply get you from A to B and also get you through those smaller spaces.

Are you somebody that might want to jet off on holiday or visit a friend abroad? In this case, you might be more suited to a car boot scooter.  A car boot scooter is exactly that - a portable scooter that can be dismantled and kept in a car boot or stored in another small area.

Most car boot scooters can be easily broken apart in just 40 seconds to fit neatly into any boot. They are very easy to transport and ideal if you think you might want to do some travelling by car. These scooters are also compact enough to take with you on an aeroplane.

When taking your mobility scooter on public transport, we do advise double checking the company guidelines first to check if they have any size restrictions in place.

Does it fit your requirements?

All mobility scooters are there to bring you comfort. This is particularly important if you have any specific mobility requirements. 

When browsing for a mobility scooter, be sure to check out the condition of things like the seat, frame and wheels. Larger scooters tend to provide slightly more leg room as well as a high-back 'captain seat’ which is designed to bring you as much comfort and stability as possible. 

Modern scooters will come with features designed purely for comfort. One example is adjustable tillers, which are ideal for users with any hand discomfort or arthritis. 

Then we have sliding seats; these help you to find your ideal driving position. An adjustable seat helps you to find the perfect leg position depending on your height and preference. 

Everyone has different needs and there will be a mobility scooter that will suit yours. This brings us on to our next point.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

There’s no harm in asking questions before hiring your scooter, for example:

What if something happens to my mobility scooter?

Hiring your scooter with us can take away all the hassle associated with owning a motor. Our trained engineers will come to you and take care of all maintenance and repairs. This includes tyres and batteries which would normally be quite costly.

Is my mobility scooter insured?

Luckily, thefts and accidents on mobility scooters are rare. But, we do provide fully comprehensive insurance to all of our customers as standard.

If you have any more questions, just get in touch and talk with one of our friendly advisers.