Second Hand Mobility Scooters – Are Used Scooters Safe?

One of the most commonly asked questions of all on the subject of mobility scooters these days is that of whether it’s safe and/or a good idea to pick up second-hand models to save money. There’s simply no denying how tempting it can be to save a small fortune on the standard purchase price by buying second hand – especially when there are literally thousands of scooters on sale up and down the UK from private sellers and authorised resellers alike.

According to the experts at Simplelifemobility.co.uk, there’s something uniquely reassuring about buying a brand new mobility scooter that simply doesn’t apply when buying second hand. The simple fact of the matter is that in order for a mobility scooter to be used (legally) in public here in the UK, it must satisfy a pretty wide range of criteria with regard to its performance, specifications and state of repair. When you buy from a specialist and choose a brand-new scooter, you take home the peace of mind that comes with knowing every box has been ticked in spades by those who know the subject better than anyone else, which in turn means not only legal operation of the scooter, but safe operation to boot.

On the other side of the fence you have the used mobility scooter, which in so many instances cannot be purchased with any of this essential peace of mind. So while you might make a saving, questions must be asked as to whether or not the savings being made are in fact worth it. But at the same time, thousands of people up and down the UK swear by their own second hand scooters and would never have to think twice about buying used again, so where does the truth lie in terms of the safety or otherwise of buying scooters second hand?

Used Scooters from Dealers

Well, if you are planning to pick up a second hand scooter in order to save money, the safest way of doing so is via a registered and authorised dealer. Every day across the UK, vast numbers of scooter owners trade in their existing scooters for money off newer models. These scooters are then refurbished to a high standard by the authorised dealer, fully checked and put back on sale. In such instances, it’s largely safe to say that the scooters will satisfy all legal criteria for use and will in the majority of instances be safe, but will be supplied with a much shorter warranty than those being sold brand new. In addition, buying second hand from a registered dealer doesn’t tend to be nearly as cheap as buying a used scooter from a private seller, which again dilutes the appeal somewhat.

Still, it’s always worth asking about any exchanged scooters that might be available, just to see if there are any bargains in there.

Used Scooters from Private Sellers

When it comes to taking home a scooter for the lowest possible outright purchase price, there’s really nothing that comes close to buying privately. Right now, thousands of sellers are listing an incalculable number of scooters for quite jaw-droppingly low prices online, in classified ads and so on – all of which can be found for prices that seem too good to be true. But while there’s much to be said for picking up a scooter that normally sells for £800 at a price of £80, there are often more strings attached than it’s worth dealing with.

The problem with buying used scooters privately is that no matter what the seller tells you, you really have no idea at all what kind of condition the scooter is in, where it came from or how it has been used. It may look the part, but could be falling to pieces inside. It may appear to be the real-deal inside and out, but it may also have been stolen – hence the bargain price. More often than not, when and where a used scooter is being sold with no documentation, no service history, no original proof of purchase and generally nothing to go on, it constitutes a risk that is not worth taking. It may only be £80, but this is still too much to pay for a machine that puts your health and safety at risk.

The best advice is to contact an independent mobility centre with a reputation for offering fair and balanced advice in order to determine what suits your needs and your budget. Consultations should be cost-free and obligation-free, so consider making an appointment today.