One of the key issues when looking for a mobility scooter is the range or distance that you will be able to use scooter before the need to recharge. The range is generally given by the manufacture in miles e.g. up to 10 miles. If you are buying the mobility scooter to make a specific journey e.g. from your home to a local town, you must ensure that the scooter you purchase has an adequate range to complete the journey. We often receive feedback on our blogs and forums from customers who have purchased scooters which were not suitable for there intended regular journey in terms of range and ride quality. This is generally the case when a decision has been made purely on price. For example if you intend to complete long journeys, a small 3 wheel portable scooter may simply not be up to the job in terms of providing a comfortable ride and sufficient range. In this case a larger (and more expensive) 4 wheel, 4mph rated machine may be a better prospect. Ride quality is especially important should you suffer from a medical condition such as back pain or arthritis.
When taking delivery of a new scooter it is essential to test the range of the scooter by building up steadily before submitting the scooter to its full range. This will avoid getting stranded with a mobility scooter with no charge, which can cause major issues as a scooter is very difficult to move once discharged. Take the scooter out on small trips and gain confidence in the scooters range and you own abilities before embarking on a long trip. This process will help you check the scooter is performing correctly after its first charging cycle. This process is especially important if the machine is 2nd hand as the actual range may be well below the manufactures rating as batteries can become less efficient as they get older.