Mobility scooter advice sorely needed

It is worth looking for a second hand one - they are often on the market.

www.mobilitygiant.co.uk/shop/portable-scooters

This is (I hope!) a link to some second hand mobility scooters that can go in a car boot - they start at £495.

Or you can just google "second hand mobility scooters" and lots of similar sites will pop up.

It’s worth looking at second hand ones as there are a heck of a lot of people like my DM who liked the idea of having one, and then hardly ever used it as she didn’t feel safe on a little car boot one. She traded it in for big one - and wouldn’t use that one either! The mobility company she bought from sold hers on for her all reconditioned and checked over.

I am thinking of buying one. I am fearful of the scooters which have just a stick st the front, would feel vulnerable , the scooters with more metal are so exspensive, perhaps a reputable dealer ?

Look on EBay lots advertised S/H, pick one in good condition we bought a really good one for Wife's father for £150. To fit in a car some are light enough to lift in, some you need to take apart.

You do have to be sure that you get one you feel stable on. As some folk might know, my Dad tipped his over and it landed on him, fracturing his pelvis, which led to his slow inevitable demise. It was his fault though - he tried to do a 180 degree turn on it.

I think most people would use theirs a bit less recklessly. The bigger they are the more stable they seem; but they are of course much heavier.

Luckygirl Thank you for the link and we shall certainly do some Googling. Thank you all for the advice.

At least he got a test ride on the expensive one and I took it apart and put it together so we have some idea what we are looking for and need now!

The frazzle has eased with your help and support!

I use a ‘smartie’ which self folds and is brilliant.
Not cheap but very adaptable

Some places rent them out - it might be worth doing that to really test it out before buying.

This site www.rica.org.uk/ can point you in the direction of a dealer who has been mystery shopped before they are accredited .

They can also offer lots of advice .

Four wheels feel much more stable than three, with the weight of the battery at the back they’re quite stable - as long as you don’t drive recklessly.

I spent ages a couple of years ago looking at mobility scooters and comparing prices and just want to warn you that mobility shops, both online and high street, charge very high prices.

This site was recommended to me and has the cheapest prices I was able to find anywhere. Several hundred pounds cheaper than the same model in a high street mobility shop. I was a bit naughty and used the high street shops to look at and test ride the scooters but then bought on line.

www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/mobility-scooters#first

The boot scooters are very convenient but can be quite heavy to lift in and out and are a bit of a faff. Also, you wouldn’t want to use them to go any distance because they don’t normally have any suspension and the wheels are hard so the ride isn’t particularly comfortable. And the battery mileage is more limited than the bigger on road types.

I bought the Pride GoGo Traveller Elite Plus four wheel. I have to admit that it hasn’t had a lot of use. I can’t use it when alone, which is much of the time, as I can’t lift it in and out of the boot as one of the dismantled parts is both big and heavy and I don’t use it when not out in the car because it’s not that comfortable after a while and I’m worried about the battery life going and getting stranded.

I think those combination of things are the reason so many scooters get so little use.

You can buy lighter types which just fold up but they’re still beyond me alone to lift and I felt very unstable on one when I tried it in our cobbled town centre. It’s a problem.

We don’t realise how lucky we are to have full and easy mobility until we lose it.

I am finding it very difficult to buy a scooter. Can’t get to Cardiff or Hereford, don’t want one which folds up to go in a car. If I telephone a dealer for advice will it just be sales talk.

You may have to listen to the sales drivel Annie but at least they’d give the makers names of the ones which are stocked locally. You can then research on the internet and ask them to look out for a second hand one for you. Most dealers around here do trade ins, sell them on serviced and service them for you. (Replace batteries, etc). Hopefully the same happens in your area.

Nfk, thank you, locally for us is Cardiff, Swansea or Hereford ? , this is the problem, the joys of living in Mid Wales .

If you telephone a dealer who has been mystery shopped and accredited by RICA you'll get someone VERY friendly not at all pushy and knowledgeable.

I know because Ive mystery shopped a few in my time and one of the key criteria is not to be pushy. Also most will bring 2 or 3 scooters out to you Anniebach for you to try.
My scooter breaks down to go in the boot and I used to do that one my own. Its too heavy for me now ( the biggest part weighs 55lbs) so instead I had a hoist fitted to my car. If you are a Motability customer these work out from as little as £100 , and that makes getting the scooter in and out a doddle. However your car must be a hatchback and have sufficient lift room but the company can advise you on that. I use Brygaid - and have done for some years.

There is a brand new scooter advertised on Amazon at £499

www.amazon.co.uk/Livewell-Portable-Travel-Mobility-Scooter/dp/B07B4KQ8J7/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?keywords=mobility+boot+scooter&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1530787305&sr=8-5

NannaandG, I don’t want one which fits into a car I haven’t got a car.

Have never heard of mystery shopping , no idea what it is, would you mind explaining please, I would be so grateful

If you are getting one through DLA they will come to you and bring samples to test drive.
They did this for my friend and her daughter who arre both blue badge holders.

Thank you humpty, so kind of you x

Not through DLA Nina. Thank you

Just saw exactly the scooter I want, really want, it’s parked next door.

Googled it, with vat relief it costs £2,789.00

Perhaps if I write to he who delivers gifts on a sleigh drawn by reindeer?

Let them know you want one like it but can’t afford it. There’s a good chance they’ll not use it for long or know someone who has one for sale and the second hand value is very low!

It doesn’t belong to the person next door, have never seen her but know it isn’t hers , she is a recluse .