Mobility Scooter, FAQ, FAQs, Cleethorpes

Mobility Scooter FAQs

We have put together a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help you when choosing the right mobility scooter, inducing links to relevant sites for help on the DVLA registration and advice on parking your scooter.

How much should I pay for a mobility scooter?

The price you will pay for a scooter will really depend on if you are leasing or buying one outright, either brand new or pre-owned. The Motabilty Scheme leasing option is a cost effective way of having a new scooter that you can trade in after 3 years for another new one. Find out if you are eligible for the Motability Scheme here. You can pay anything from £12.50 -£28 per week on the scheme or £639 up to £6000 for a top of the range brand new Class 3 road scooter to own.

If I buy a pre-owned scooter will I still get a warranty?
Yes, you will get a warranty with most dealers but always check with them, we offer a 3-6 month warranty depend on the age of Scooter. The difference between new and pre-owned will obviously be the cost and quality but you can still get some good deals on used mobility scooters but always ask if the battery is fairly new and check if it has been serviced, all used scooters come fully serviced.

How much will it cost me to run a scooter?
Battery life is 3 years, you will need a service for £60 and insurance or public liability endurance for approx £69. We provide extended warranty against mechanical and electric leaders for £120 per year.

How often should I charge my battery and when should I replace it with a new one?
If you use your scooter daily always charge it over night. It should last 3 years.

Is there a Highway Code for mobility scooters?  
The British Healthcare Trades Association have issued a Highway Code for Mobility Scooter users.

Do I need to take a test to drive a mobility scooter?

No you don’t need to take a test; your scooter deal should spend enough time with you on the function and safety of your new scooter and ensure you are happy with how to use it before you take it away. As a family run business we pride ourselves on our after care service and we are always on hand for our customers to ensure they are completely happy with their purchase. 

Do I need to register my mobility scooter with the DVLA?
You will need to register a Class 3 road scooter with the DVLA and show a nil-rated tax, this is free of charge and most dealers should do this for you.

Are all mobility scooters allowed to go on the road?
Only Class 3 performance road scooters are allowed to travel on the road that have lights and indicators, these will travel 6-8mph.You can cross the road on a pavement scooter to get to the other side but you must not travel on the road on one.Read the government rules on driving a mobility scooter here.

Can I travel on motorways or dual carriageways with my mobility scooter?

You are not allowed to travel on motorways, you can travel on a dual carriageway but your scooter must have a flashing orange beacon which can buy for the scooter.

Are there rules for driving a mobility scooter on the pavement?
The main rule here is to not exceed 4mph on pavement and to be vigilant towards other people, especially children. You can travel on the pavement on a road scooter but you must reduce the speed of 4 Mph, see the government rules link above.

Are there parking restrictions for mobility scooters?
The general rule here is that parking rules apply but all check with your local council. If you live in North/North East Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire you can check parking regulations from Humberside Police here.

How often should I service a mobility scooter?
To ensure that your mobility scooter is kept in good working order and safe to use, a regular service is required. It is recommended that you have your mobility scooter serviced by a qualified engineer every year, especially if it is used on the road. An annual service is usual but your manual will tell you how regular a proper service should be done for your model. Many of the key working parts of a mobility scooter are hidden beneath the body shell and require specialist knowledge and tools to access.

It is important to remember that a mobility scooter still has critical safety elements such as brakes which need to be checked. This is even more important on Class 3 scooters that are used on the road at higher
speeds. It is widely considered that Class 3 mobility scooters may soon be subject to legislation that will require annual MOT style checks. Therefore, it is important to keep up to date with maintenance and routine checks.

What Mobility scooter is the option one for travelling and putting in my car? 
You can buy boot or travel scooters, we sell foldable scooters: Atto folding scooter, solax smartie auto folding and other brands that you can split into four pieces. They reduce down to a compact shape and you can usually pull them along like a suitcase. You can take certain scooters onto planes but check with your airline first for permission; you will need to know what type of battery you have so keep the manual with you.

Where should I store my scooter?
Your scooter is best store in a garage or a purpose built shed. You can get a strong chain and padlock for when you are you out but for overnight you should store it indoors or somewhere safe, some people have a shed with an electric point for charging, you can also get covers to protect form the elements, we give a free cover and rear bag with all of our scooters. Boot scooters can be left in the car, just remove the battery for charging and ensure it is locked and not on show. By storing your mobility scooter in the right environment and checking it frequently, you can maintain the smooth running of your vehicle and increase its longevity. The
best place to store your scooter – either overnight or for longer periods – is in a dry, clean and secure space, ideally with a mains electricity socket so you can charge it at the same time. A lockable garage or a secure shed is ideal. You may have space to store a small scooter in your home, but make sure it doesn’t’t block doorways as this could make it a fire hazard. Ensure that you keep your scooter clean to prevent dirt getting into any of the moving parts, which could damage it. Check the underside of the scooter regularly to remove any obstructions. Keeping the scooter dry will help avoid corrosion. If you have to store it outside, you'll need to buy a waterproof storage cover to protect it from rain. A storage cover is also useful when storing your scooter inside, as it will protect it from dust.

Battery Guide  


How to get more from your mobility scooter battery - no vehicle performs well without an efficient fuel system. Mobility scooters are no exception. The batteries fitted to scooters act as their fuel tanks and should be well maintained accordingly.

Common questions and answers:


What is the best way to commission/prepare mobility batteries in order to get the most out of
them? 

Even though your dealer should have fully charged the batteries on your scooter prior to delivery, it is recommended that you charge the batteries before first use. When you have finished for the day put the batteries on charge and LEAVE them on charge until the charger has finished charging. The cost of overnight charging is minimal and as long as a suitable automatic charger is being used there is no reason to disconnect the charger
until the equipment is next needed for use.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Most mobility scooter batteries are defined as "traction" or "deep cycle". These batteries start with a very low capacity, and as they are charged and discharged through normal use over a period of time their capacity (available power) increases and eventually peaks at its maximum level. This will affect the range of scooter, from 60% to 100% of the stated range, depending on the number of charging cycles. Therefore in its early life it will appear to have low power (approximately 50% capacity available), and after using the batteries between 10 to 15 times (charging / discharging) the battery should achieve approximately 100% of its capacity.

What lifespan can I expect from my batteries?
Although most manufacturers normally offer a 12 month warranty against manufacturing defects on batteries, mobility batteries should deliver an average lifespan of up to 18 months depending on usage. In a
'light' mobility application such as using your scooter once or twice a week the battery can deliver up to three years lifespan, in a 'heavier' application such as using your scooter daily on long journeys, the lifespan could be between 12 - 18 months.

More Battery Tips:

  • Never run your batteries completely flat, take care not to leave lights or any auxiliary equipment after use.
  • Regular /daily users - always charge after use. 
  • Occasional users - charge your equipment before an outing and always after use (ideally when the 'fuel gauge' is at approximately 50%).
  • When storing your scooter for more than 6 weeks, it is advisable to fully charge the batteries and disconnect them. Check and recharge the batteries monthly. 
  • Never switch off the charger before the charge complete indicator comes on. 
  • Always unplug the charger from the equipment, as well as the mains, after charging. (some chargers can drain batteries if left plugged in while switched of or unplugged from the mains). 
  • Always dispose of old batteries through an approved source to prevent improper disposal. Please contact your supplier or local authority to find out an appropriate agent.


What things can affect the range of electric scooters?
The weight of the vehicle and user, ambient temperature, state of battery charge, tyre pressures and terrain can all affect the range of batteries. If the temperature range is outside of our yearly averages i.e.
above 35 degrees Celsius and below freezing this will affect the range of the battery. If the battery's "state of charge" is low, then consequently the battery capacity will be low.

Can my batteries be transported by air? 
Most sealed mobility batteries can be transported on an aircraft, your battery supplier or dealer can provide an IATA certificate to prove this. Alternatively the battery may be marked on top with a sticker 
explaining it is IATA approved.

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