Upgrading your daily movement with a mobility scooter can be totally life changing. The freedom and independence that these amazing vehicles provide can greatly enhance your quality of life.  

That’s why choosing the right scooter is an important decision, that ultimately depends on your unique needs, lifestyle and budget. 

To help you make the best decision, we’ve created our ultimate mobility scooter checklist. Whether you’re hiring a scooter for the first time or looking to upgrade the model that you currently own, you can use this guide to make sure you’ve considered all the essentials.  

Section 1: first things first

Which is best: to buy a mobility scooter or hire one?

When it comes to mobility scooters, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Both hiring and buying offer unique benefits, so here’s a quick look at what each option can offer you:

Mobility scooter hire

Flexibility: Upgrade to the latest models without a long-term commitment. 

Low upfront cost: Enjoy access to a top brand scooter without the higher price tag  

Maintenance included: Our hire packages cover maintenance and repairs, fully comprehensive insurance and 24-hour breakdown recovery, for total peace of mind. 

Try before you buy: Perfect if you’re still exploring which model suits your needs best - circumstances change, so might your scooter of choice.  

Buying a mobility scooter

Full ownership: Customise and modify your scooter to match your lifestyle and your sense of style! 

Long-term savings: No monthly fees – what you see is what you buy and own. 

Personal freedom: Use your scooter exactly how and when you want, without any restrictions. 

Part-exchange possibilities: A well-maintained scooter qualifies for our part-exchange program, making it easier and cheaper to upgrade to your next model. 

Ultimately, your choice depends on your lifestyle, budget, and how you plan to use your scooter. Whether you choose the flexibility of hiring, or the independence of buying, our comprehensive checklist will help ensure you find the perfect mobility scooter for your needs. 

Key Considerations

Before getting excited about top speeds or flashy designs, it's important to think about the practical aspects of hiring or buying a mobility scooter. Answering the following questions will help to narrow down your options:

Usage: Where will you be using your scooter? (e.g., home, pavement, road) 

Frequency: How often and for how long will you use the scooter each day? 

Storage & charging: Do you have space at home for secure storage and easy charging access? 

Medical needs: Do you need adjustable features or additional specs due to existing medical conditions? 

Driver safety: Do you have good eyesight and an understanding of basic mobility scooter operation and safety? If you plan to use a scooter on main roads, do you know the Highway Code well? 

Logistics

- Will you need your scooter to be transportable or foldable? If yes, do you or a companion have enough strength to lift a collapsed scooter off the ground? (commonly likened to lifting a large holiday suitcase off the ground) 

- Will you take it on public transport? 

- What kind of terrain will you be travelling over regularly? For example: smooth or bumpy? Urban or natural? 

- Will you use your scooter indoors, outdoors or both? 

Financial considerations (hire only): 

- What is your weekly or monthly budget for scooter hire? 

- Are you looking for a short-term or long-term hire agreement? 

Section 2: Scooter specifications

Once you’ve considered the practicalities of hiring or owning your own mobility scooter, it’s time to look at specific features. This is where comfort, style and functionality come into play – the fun part!

Comfort checklist

- Is the seat adjustable for height and back support? 

- Is the seat large enough to accommodate you comfortably? 

- Are there padded armrests for additional comfort if needed? 

- Is there enough legroom? 

- Do you need extra storage space for personal belongings or mobility aids? 

- Does the scooter have suspension suited to your local terrain? Think of this of as your shock absorber across bumpy terrains!

Style & extras

- Would you prefer three wheels (more manoeuvrability) or four wheels (more stable)? 

- Do you want optional extras, like a hard-top canopy or USB ports? 

- What colour options are available? 

Driving & safety checklist

- Is the dashboard clear and easy to understand? 

- Does the scooter have lights for nighttime travel? 

- Are there mirrors for improved visibility? 

- Is the scooter’s maximum range suitable for your daily trips? Aka can you get from A to B on a single charge of the batteries? 

- Can you easily adjust speeds when switching from pavement to road driving? 

On-road features: (Class 3 & all-terrain scooters)

- Is the ground clearance high enough for local roads and kerbs? 

- Are the brakes, indicators and horn easy to use? 

- Can extra safety accessories like reflective strips be added? 

Off-Road Features: (Class 2/pavement scooters)

- Is the scooter designed for pavement use only? 

- Does it fit through doorways and other narrow spaces? 

- Is the scooter lightweight enough for easy manoeuvring indoors? 

After answering even just a few of the above questions, you'll have a much better idea of the type of scooter you need and want.  

Give us a call and speak to our in-house experts, who will offer you their un-biased opinion on top brands, so you can be perfectly matched with a scooter that meets – and usually exceeds! - all your requirements.