How To Buy a Used Mobility Scooter

As the market for mobiity scooters increases, the market for second-hand used mobility scooters is also increasing. The obvious reason to buy a used mobility scooter is to save money. Buying a used mobility scooter can save you 50% or more from the price of a new mobility scooter. However, buying a lemon can end up costing you a great deal of money and grief in the long run. If you are in the market for a used mobility scooter, this article may help you to make the right choices for you.

Your two options when buying a used mobility scooter are:

* Buy from a private individual. You are more likely to find a bargain when buying a used mobility scooter from someone who is upgrading. However, you often have little recourse if the used mobility scooter has problems.

* Buy from a dealer. Buying a used mobility scooter from a dealer will usually be more expensive than a private individual. Dealers must make a profit for their business and will most likely have higher prices than private individuals. However, some dealers will recondition the used mobility scooter and will offer a guarentee. If your dealer is offering a reconditioned used mobility scooter with a guarentee, this is a good reason to buy from a dealer. A 6 month or 1 year guarentee will give you the opportunity to get any major problems fixed before you are own your own. If your dealer is selling the used mobility scooter on an "As Is" basis, no different than buying from a private individual, you will probably find that it is best to buy from the private individual as the used scooter will probably be less expensive.

What To Look For When Buying A Used Mobility Scooter

Every make and model of mobility scooters has its unique weaknesses and potential problems and it is usually best to discuss with someone who has owned a similar model. But this will give you general issues which are common to most used mobility scooters:

* Batteries are expensive and must be replaced every 1-2 years. When buying a used mobility scooter, get an idea of the condition of the battery. How can you tell if the battery is getting old? First, see if the battery indicator shows full when recently charged. Take the used mobility scooter for a test drive and check the range of the used scooter before the battery indicator runs low. Every scooter will have different range. Check the website of the company for range specifications for that mobility scooter, but 10 miles (16KM) is an average, 7 miles (10km) is a minimum. If the battery is running well under the average range or if the charge meter shows that the battery charge is running out quickly, then the battery is likely to be need replacing. Another indication of an old battery is when the motor surges or hesitates when the throttle is pressed.

If possible, negotiate that the battery is replaced so that you can start with a new battery. But make sure that you get a battery that is at least as good as the one currently installed or better. In any case, make sure it is a mobilty scooter battery and not a car or cycle battery. Car and cycle batteries are made for bursts of power and not for distance and will not work as intended in a mobility scooter.

Try to negotiate for a quality brand sealed Gel battery. Gel batteries require no maintence and are widely recognized by airlines as safe for travel. Though other batteries are also safe, sealed Gel batteries are less likely to be questioned by airline personel.

* Tires will usually need to be replaced during a mobility scooter's lifetime, so check the tread and the condition of the tires. Also check the type of tires. Pneumatic (air filled) tires offer a more comfortable ride but there is always the danger of getting a flat tire. If the used mobility scooter has pneumatic tires check the tire pressure. If it is low, the tire may have a slow leak that may need to be filled daily.

* Check for squeaking during the ride. Squeaking may be a sign of problems with the frame or the upholstery, but at minimum is likely to be annoying.

* Most mobility scooters have only a 2 or 3 inch ground clearance and have the risk of bottoming out if they run over a curb-cut or a driveway lip. When this happens, something under the mobility scooter will hit the curb. Look under the scooter for the lowest point (other than the anti-tippers) to see if there is any significant damage. A damaged underbody may not be a problem because many scooters are made out of non-rusting material. However, be sure to check the underside of the used mobility scooter for signs of rust, holes or other significant damage.

* Check the ground clearance of the mobility scooter when fully loaded, ie. when someone of a similar weight as the intended driver is sitting on it. Look for the lowest point of the mobility scooter other than the anti-tipper. There should be a minimum of 2 or 3 inch ground clearance. If there is less, you may regret the purchase later. Drive the scooter over curb cuts, speed bumps and driveway lips and listen for scraping. The most frequent complaints about any mobility scooter are usually related to ground clearance.

* If the used mobility scooter is a travel scooter, take it apart into its components and reassemble it. It should come apart quickly and easily and go back together just as easily.

* Run the used mobility scooter up a long ramp, a steep driveway or any other long uphill climb. The used mobility scooter should climb the hill with minimum hesitation. If it hesitates, or slows down significantly, this is most likely a problem with the battery but could also indicate a serious problem in the motor. If there are no problems with the used mobility scooter, it may be that you are too heavy for the rated capacity of the mobility scooter and this is a good reason to walk away.

* Determine if the same make and model of the mobility scooter is currently being sold. If it is, it will be much easier to get the scooter repaired should that be required. If not, contact the manufacturer and find out when they stopped selling it. If it has been a very long time since the mobility scooter was off the market, you may find it difficult to get replacement parts should that be necessary. The scooter's manufacturer might be able to advise you if this is a potential problem.

* Ask how long it has been since the scooter was regularly driven. A scooter which has not been driven in a long time may have some potential problems. Batteries should be regularly charged when the scooter is being stored and if this has not been done properly, the battery could be damaged. Tires can get soft spots if the scooter has sat in the same position for a very long time.

What To Do Before You Buy Your Used Mobility Scooter

Once you have decided to purchase the mobility scooter take the following steps before closing the deal:

* If there is a guarentee, make certain you know what you need to do to get your scooter repaired. Do you have to send it away somewhere? Or can you have it repaired locally. If you need to send it away are you responsible for shipping fees?

* Try to get a copy of the original purchase recepit for the scooter. An original purchase receipt would be very helpful for several reasons: First, some scooters may still be under the original manufacturers warrenty. For example, many scooters have warrenties on frames for 3 - 5 years. With the receipt, the warrenty may transfer to you. Second, a receipt will give you a solid idea of the age of the scooter. Obviously a newer scooter is less likely to have serious mechanical problems. Older scooters may not only have more problem, but also replacement parts may be more difficult to find. Third, like any product you can buy, there is always the chance that the scooter has been stolen. If the owner has the original receipt, this is much less likely. If the owner does not have a receipt, it does not necessarily mean the scooter has been stolen, but you should proceed with caution. Why? If you buy a stolen scooter, even if you did not know it was stolen, the police could come and take possession of the mobility scooter and you can completely lose your money.

* Avoid paying for your mobility scooter with cash. Many sellers will not accept a personal check because it could bounce. In this case attempt to pay with a bank draft. Why? A bank draft can be cancelled and in case you find a serious problem with your used mobility scooter when you get home you can cancel the bank draft and renegotiate with the seller. A check or bank draft will give you an additional proof of payment.

* Get a bill of sale (receipt) for the scooter. A good dealer will usually have a bill of sale form for you. How do you get a bill of sale if you are buying privately? The least expensive way is to go to your state DMV website and download a bill of sale form for a car. Put this into Google:

"State Name" DMV bill of sale.

Replace "state name" with the name of your state, for example if you live in California, put into Google:

California DMV bill of sale

Such a search will lead to this bill of sale from the California DMV, which you can download and print out for free.

Adapt the bill of sale for use to your mobility scooter. For example, instead of the vehicle identification number (VIN), write in the scooters' serial number. For model and make, write the manufacturer and brand name of the scooter.

* Make sure you get any paperwork or accessories that comes with the scooter, such as the owner's or operating manual, battery charger, guarentee, etc.

Have fun with your used mobility scooter. If you have purchased wisely, you can ride it with the knowledge that you have saved yourself a bundle.

This article about Used Mobility Scooters is COPYRIGHTED. It may not be copied or used without permission from the owner of the Mobility Scooter Website.