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We understand that investing in a mobility scooter is a serious financial and personal decision. If you are a first-time buyer and haven’t got a good understanding of the types of scooters that are available, it can be a daunting task. So, we have got a blog post of some of the things you should consider when buying certain scooters. That is available here.
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But if you’re just wanting to understand the basics, here is an overview of each mobility scooter type.
Travel Scooters
If you’re wanting a scooter that will dismantle to go in the boot, then these might be for you. They’re usually cheaper than folding scooters and the individual pieces are also usually lighter.
To dismantle these, the mechanisms are usually simple, but if you struggle with arthritis or similar conditions, then a folding scooter may be worth considering. The batteries can be removed and charged off board, meaning that the scooter can be left in one location and the battery charged in another.
Travel scooters are perfect for short shopping trips and holidays. However, they are often not suitable for longer distances, or for tackling slopes. If you were hoping to use this as a machine to do several miles on every day, then we wouldn’t recommend them.
Folding Scooters
These fulfil the needs of a travel scooter. So, they will fit in the boot of a car for short shopping trips, or holidays. Whilst travel scooters dismantle, these usually stay in one piece. At the touch of a button, they will fold easily meaning that they can be picked up or rolled around like a suitcase. The folding mechanism means that awkward or fiddly mechanisms aren’t a worry.
They tend to be more expensive than travel scooters and they’re usually heavier than the individual pieces of a travel scooter. The batteries can be removed and charged off board, meaning that the scooter can be left in one location and the battery charged in another.
If you’re wanting to tackle gradients or long distances, these are not suitable.
Pavement Scooters
If you’re wanting a machine that will allow you to travel from the outskirts of town, into the shops and back again, then perhaps a pavement scooter is for you. These machines have a maximum speed of 4mph and mostly have a range of up to 20 miles on a charge.
The most basic models have more solid frames than travel scooters, meaning they’re usually unsuitable to go in the boot of a car. More luxurious versions may see the addition of Captain’s seats, suspension, or more modern touches like USB adaptors. Because they only do 4mph, these are not road legal, they can only be driven on pavements and footpaths. They are more suited to markets, supermarkets and high streets.
6-8mph Scooters
If you’re wanting a scooter that is ideal for long distances, then these may be perfect for you. Under UK legislation, they fall under Class 3 vehicles, which means they are road legal. They include, as minimum, lights, indicators and a horn. They will also be able to travel at a maximum of 8mph. They’re usually larger than travel scooters, folding scooters and pavement scooters.
Often, they have more luxurious features such as Captain’s seats, suspension and delta / wraparound handlebars. They do not dismantle easily, and they will likely not fit in the boot of a car.
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Because they are road legal, they should be registered with the DVLA. They do not currently incur any road tax charges and they’re not legally required to have insurance (although we do recommend it).