The fact that there are literally thousands of different motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the UK market right now is something of a blessing and curse rolled into one. On one hand, there’s the fact that if you look long and hard enough you’ll find the perfect model, but at the same time with such variety out there, it’s impossible to know where to start. And given the importance of the scooter you’re looking to pick up, there’s really no room for cutting corners or lumping yourself with a model that’s really no good for your needs.
This is why before even thinking about heading out to a showroom or retailer, it’s important to first have a good think about exactly what it is that you need in accordance with your circumstances. It’s a case of simple common sense, as you cannot expect to get what you need unless you first establish what it is you need. This might sound like a bit of a headache, but in reality boils down to just five simple considerations which, when addressed will leave you with the exact specification of mobility scooter you need.
Here’s the five most important considerations to make prior to purchasing a mobility scooter:
1 – What Journeys Do You Plan to Make?
First of all, perhaps the single most important thing to spare plenty of thought to is exactly what kinds of journeys you plan to make once you take ownership of the scooter. This is extremely important as there is a very big difference between the kind of scooter that’s made for infrequent trips down the road to the local shop and another that’s been designed to get you from one side of the city to the other and back again without any problems. Along with the length and type of journeys you plan to make, also give thought to how portable you’d like the scooter to be if you’re planning to take it away with you for days out at any time. Write down where you go, where you want to go and where your scooter needs to take you – this is a checklist you’ll need.
2 – What Type of Terrain Will You Drive On?
As well as thinking of the journeys themselves, you’ll also need to factor in the type of terrain you’ll be driving on. For example, do you live in an area that’s generally quite flat, or will you need a more powerful scooter that can cope with steep hills? Will you be driving on nothing but smooth tarmac, or are you more likely to have to traverse grass, dirt or loose ground along the way? There are different types of scooters out there for every kind of terrain imaginable, so it’s essential you choose in accordance with your needs as the wrong scooter may be wholly redundant when put to the test in an unsuitable environment.
3 – How Will You Be Storing the Scooter?
It’s important to bear in mind that when the scooter is not in use, you’ll need to allocate a safe and convenient place to store it. This may limit your options when it comes to the largest of scooters on the market unless you live in a home with plenty of space and ease of access, or perhaps have access to a garage. Think about getting the scooter in and out of the home day in and day out, perhaps on multiple occasions – will it be possible?
4 – How Powerful and Comfortable Does it Need to Be?
You’ll need to make sure you choose a scooter that’s been designed to accommodate a rider with your own specific body weight and size. It’s really no good to just choose at random and hope for the best as if you are too large or too heavy for the scooter’s motor, it will not be able to take you anywhere at all. What’s more, be sure to factor comfort into the equation as if your circumstances require a very soft, gentle and cushioned ride, you might want to think twice about the cheapest scooters with solid wheels and no suspension.
5 – How Much Would You Like to Spend?
Last but not least, it’s a good idea to set out an exact budget prior to going ahead in order to ensure that when the time comes to make the purchase, you don’t buy something that you really cannot afford. As mentioned, it’s never a good idea to cut corners for minor cost savings as this is the kind of life aid that will transform every day of your life from the moment you buy it. But at the same time, you can only afford what you can afford, so don’t ever be persuaded to go over and above your allocated budget.
