Mobility vehicles can improve your independence and lifestyle, enabling you to travel from your home, around your local community, and further afield.
The best way to ensure you make the right decision is to see and try a wide range of models from different manufacturers. You should first contact a local BHTA retailer and visit their local showrooms.
Here, you can see a number of models and make proper comparisons of size, comfort, and handling. You will also meet and get to know their staff and your backup team. If you cannot visit, then book a home demonstration, and try the different products in and around your own home. Give yourself time and try to avoid rush decisions.
Today, it is increasingly common to see a scooter or powerchair being used by people of all ages and abilities. People have now found out that these mobility vehicles are popular because without them they would be housebound or restricted to only very limited distances and that they are easy to control, economical to keep, and actually pretty good fun!
However, deciding on which model to see and which company to buy from is very important and can be difficult. You need to know that the product is suitable for all your needs and that the company is a qualified and experienced supplier. You need to know that they will look after you and your vehicle, now and in the future.
This is why the BHTA has produced this guide to help you choose the best combination of product and supplier, helping you to make an informed choice and decision.
Points to consider:
If away on holiday, you can find a list of BHTA members on our website should you need some help in the UK. Always look for the BHTA and Chartered Trading Standards Institute logo as a sign you are dealing with an approved member.
If you are travelling away from home in the UK and experience a fault or breakdown with your NHS-provided wheelchair, the National Wheelchair Managers Forum has a helpful leaflet called ‘Right to travel UK’ with important information about the support available to wheelchair users.
There are many variations of scooter, offering differing features to suit you, the environment you live in, and the terrain you wish to cover. Here are some questions to discuss with your local BHTA retailer when considering your options:
The models offered come in many styles: the smaller offering easy manoeuvrability, and portability, but often with smaller wheels which will not go up kerbs or over rough ground. Small batteries restrict range (possibly down as low as 10 miles), however, they may be better for indoor or short journeys. BHTA members are there to guide you through the process and make sure all your questions are covered and offer you reassurance.
Note that dismounting and mounting kerbs with any mobility vehicle can be very bouncy, and for some people can be uncomfortable, but with the increased availability of dropped kerbs and pedestrian areas, you should find the need for kerb climbing less necessary.
Powerchairs are usually more difficult to select than scooters. Most of the aspects you would consider when buying a scooter still apply, but generally a powerchair user has more limitations to their personal mobility and will probably be using their vehicle more regularly, often all day, and may depend on it in their home and outside. Comfort and support are essential, and battery range is important if using all day.
Points to ask:
Once you have decided which mobility vehicle is right for you and made an informed purchase, further information about the safe use of electric scooters and wheelchairs can be found in the BHTA article ‘Using electric scooters and wheelchairs: A Highway Code for users’.
Buying a second-hand scooter or wheelchair can be as difficult as buying a second-hand car. But it is here that you will reduce the dangers if you buy from a BHTA retailer.
All of our BHTA retailers are keen to provide you with proper training to help you be in proper control and at ease with your newly found independence. So, ask them to accompany you in and around your home and out to your local shops and venues. Your BHTA retailer will want you to feel confident so that you get the most pleasure and use from your new product.
All BHTA mobility retailers are encouraged to take part in Driving Mobility’s Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter (PWMS) Retailer Training Scheme. This scheme, which is supported by the Department for Transport, provides customer assessment and safety training for retailers of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.
Looking after and regularly charging your vehicle will increase its reliability and reduce its running costs. You must always read your owner’s manual and take particular note about how to charge the batteries. Battery charging uses about the same electricity as a 100-watt light bulb, so it won’t eat you out of house and home.
For further information see the BHTA article ‘Getting more from your battery’.
For more information about the safe practices for use, maintenance, and disposal of lithium batteries, read the BHTA’s ‘Lithium battery safety guidance’.
Before buying a mobility vehicle, there are some points to be aware of to ensure that your equipment is stored and charged safely.
Battery-powered mobility scooters and wheelchairs pose a fire risk if they are not stored and charged correctly and safely. This is because the batteries themselves are flammable, so it’s paramount you follow safety guidelines to reduce any fire risks.
Battery-powered mobility scooters and wheelchairs should be stored in a safe place – preferably in a separate room – and away from fire escape routes. For example, your mobility vehicle should not be stored near a door. This is so that the vehicle does not obstruct any exit routes in the case of a fire. Also, if your vehicle catches fire near an escape route, this could affect the exit.
To safely charge your mobility vehicle’s battery, this should be done in a specially designated, well-ventilated area. You should also charge the battery during the daytime, so that if something goes wrong with the battery and there’s a fire, someone will be awake to dial 999.
Further information about the safe storage and charging of battery-powered mobility vehicles can be found in the National Fire Chiefs Council ‘Mobility Scooter Guidance for Residential Buildings’ guidance.
Your BHTA mobility retailer will always discuss the long-term needs of you and your vehicle. After years of extensive design and development these products have become more reliable and durable, and you should enjoy independence without worry. However, you must appreciate that with time, as with any mechanical product, components can go wrong.
It is at these times it is most important that you have taken your local BHTA mobility retailers’ advice on regular servicing plans, extended guarantees, and policies. If you are unfortunate enough to break down, you will realise why it was so important that you have a BHTA mobility retailer supply your mobility vehicle supported by factory-trained and qualified service engineers; they will get you back on the road quickly and efficiently.
Looking after your mobility vehicle properly will help you ensure trouble-free mobility. However, just like a car, you should expect to incur some running expenses for servicing and new batteries, for example.
So, we recommend putting a little aside each week to cover maintenance costs, or, alternatively, investigating extended warranties, service contracts and insurance. We hope you enjoy your newly found freedom.
These are some of the organisations which provide useful information and advice.
Driving Mobility is a network of 20 independent organisations covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which offers professional, high-quality information, advice, and assessment to people who need to gain or retain independence through mobility.
Telephone: 0800 559 3636
Motability is a scheme that lets you lease a mobility scooter, powered wheelchair, or car using your benefits. It also runs Motability One Big Day events where you can see and try out equipment.
Telephone: 0300 456 4566
Textphone: 0300 037 0100
If your local shopping centre or town centre has a Shopmobility Scheme, you can hire a scooter from it. Find out more from The National Federation of Shopmobility.
Telephone: 01933 229644
Publish independent test reviews on 10 smaller scooters on its subscription website.
Remember to always look for the BHTA and Approved Code Trading Standards logo to get the support and advice you need to make the right choice.
Need a wheelchair or mobility scooter? Not sure where to go and how to get one? Do you know your options?
When you find yourself or someone you know requiring a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or powered wheelchair then you should be talking to your local BHTA member retailer.
Dealing with a lack of mobility, whether due to an ongoing, chronic illness, or to a sudden incident, can be a confusing and stressful time. We all see manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters being used, but where do they come from? How do you get one? Until you find yourself in a situation of needing one, it’s not something most people think about.
The wheelchair may be needed full time to get around the house, or to work, which may be a different model from something that may be used occasionally for trips to the doctors or for visiting friends where you may need assistance.
You can ask your GP for a referral to your local NHS wheelchair service if you are having mobility issues. They will discuss your situation with you and may provide an assessment for your needs. If they determine that you require a wheelchair, and you meet their criteria, they will offer to provide you with one. Wheelchair services provide both manual and powered wheelchairs but do not currently provide mobility scooters.
You may have an option to request a voucher, or to use a personal wheelchair budget (PWB), which can be used to purchase a chair from a mobility retailer if you want a higher specification or options that they cannot provide.
Sometimes you may require a wheelchair temporarily, whilst you rehabilitate, or while awaiting delivery of an NHS wheelchair. The British Red Cross in your area will usually have wheelchairs available for temporary use.
You can also contact your local BHTA Member retailer, which may have different types of wheelchairs available for temporary hire.
If you do not qualify for a wheelchair through NHS wheelchair services, or simply wish to purchase your own wheelchair or a mobility scooter, you can contact a BHTA-registered mobility retailer.
BHTA members across the UK offer mobility products and many independent living aids to enhance your life and keep you independent at home and outdoors. They will guide you through a detailed assessment to ensure the product meets your current needs. The BHTA member retailer will discuss the model that will most suit your lifestyle and demonstrate this to ensure you are capable of controlling the mobility product in a safe environment before you head out on your adventures.
Once you have identified the correct model, the BHTA member retailer will be able to also advise you on other topics such as finance, insurance, and any extended warranty packages that are available.
All BHTA members sign up to a Code of Practice which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. This ensures you are dealing with a company that will give you good advice, guide you in your discussion making and will not cold call you or use pressure selling techniques. A copy of the Code of Practice is available to download here.
Once you have had your assessment, agreed your needs, and purchased all you need, your local BHTA member retailer will set up your mobility product, carry out pre-delivery inspection, and ensure you know how to charge your vehicle so you are ready to get out and about, unless you opt to take it away with you from their showroom.
Having someone local for backup, aftersales, and servicing is important for your own peace of mind, so should you have any issues you have somewhere local to talk to and visit. The BHTA member retailer will have a wealth of experience about your product, and their engineers will be trained and experienced to assist you with any issues you may have with your product.
To find your nearest BHTA member retailer visit this page and put “mobility” in the search box.
If you are looking for a second-hand piece of equipment, check with your local BHTA member retailer, which will be able to advise you on availability and suitability for your needs.
If you need assistance with the funding of a mobility scooter or wheelchair, there are numerous charities that may be able to assist you, and many BHTA member companies will have links to these on their websites and will be able to give you advice when they carry out an assessment with you.
In some cases, people can use a portion of their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) allowance to lease a mobility vehicle through companies providing this option.
Some customers buy their mobility products via credit cards, bank personal loans, or finance that is available through a number of specialist companies that have packages designed to meet the needs of the mobility industry. With a variety of options available, it is worth discussing the best options that suit your situation with your local BHTA member retailer.
There are many things to consider when thinking about insurance for your new mobility vehicle or wheelchair. There are insurance companies that provide dedicated insurance policies for mobility products. Some home contents insurance policies will cover mobility products, but it is always important to check that the cover is right for you.
Your home cover may pay for a replacement product if stolen but does it cover you for personal injury and public liability, for example, should you accidentally cause any damage with your mobility product or have an accident?
Your BHTA member retailer can advise you of insurance companies that provide specific mobility policies.
Most wheelchairs and scooters when purchased new, come with a 12-month guarantee. Sometimes this may be longer, and there may be options for purchasing extended warranties and/or service and maintenance packages.
Your BHTA member retailer can discuss these options with you to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you.
BHTA publishes a number of guidance articles to assist consumers when choosing a mobility product. The articles contain useful tips on buying safely to help guide you through the process and point out questions to ask and things to consider.