With so many different types of mobility scooter on the market, deciding on the right mobility scooter for you can seem overwhelming. The experienced team at Bann Mobility have been selling mobility scooters for over 20 years and have developed a checklist which should help you to buy the right mobility scooter for your needs.
Where do you want to use your mobility scooter?
If it is for pavements and shopping areas only, then a Class 2 Mobility Scooter is what you need. They are smaller and lighter than those designed for a road. They should be driven at 4mph on pavements but some models can go faster than this. Also think about the type of terrain you will be travelling on eg will you be travelling up steep hills or will you have lots of kerbs to climb up? Perhaps you want to use it to explore your local park and bring your dog for a walk.
Should you wish to use your mobility scooter on the road, a Class 3 Mobility Scooter is required. It is larger and heavier than the Class 2 Mobility Scooter and can be driven on any road except motorways and dual carriageways. Their maximum speed is 8mph, they cope better on hills and have a battery life of up to 25 miles.
Remember safety comes first so check out our top tips for mobility scooter safety too.
Do you want to be able to transport your scooter in a car boot?
A folding mobility scooter is the answer then. These scooters can be either folded up or dismantled into four or five sections. Even though they are portable, they are quite heavy to lift so you may need to consider using a hoist to get it into the car.
Where will you store your mobility scooter when you are not using it?
Somewhere dry and secure will be needed to store it. If you bring it into your home, are the doorways wide enough for it? Larger scooters may need to be stored in a garage or outside shed. Remember you will need to charge the battery too so you will need access to an electric socket.
What weight are you?
Although this is a very personal question, it is a very important one to ask. Some of the smaller lightweight scooters have a maximum weight of 20 stone (130kg) so if you are heavier than that, a sturdier model is recommended.
Which features are important to you?
- Comfort of seat – is it comfortable for you?
- Suspension – have you back problems and want to avoid a bumpy journey? Then suspension is very important to you.
- Easy to use – are the controls easy to understand and will you be able to use it safely? Are you able to get on and off it easily?
- Battery life – how frequently will you want to charge the mobility scooter battery? How long will it take to fully charge the battery?
- Basket – how much space will you need to store items? Is it just for a handbag or will more space be needed for groceries?
- USB charger – would you like to charge your mobile phone as you travel?
- Servicing and repairs – how reliable is the brand? How often does the scooter need to be serviced?
Buying a mobility scooter is a big decision so it is really important that you try it out before you buy one. We have a wide range of mobility scooters at Bann Mobility and we would be happy to show you the different options including our pre-owned mobility scooters. Please give us a call today on 028 3833 5771 or pop into our showroom at Carn Industrial Estate in Portadown and you can try out one of our mobility scooters.
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