A folding mobility scooter is a fantastic way of maintaining our independence. The fact that we can own a scooter which is incredibly easy to store, easy to fold and unfold, easy to take on public transport or on holiday or to pop in the boot of a car means that we can maintain an active lifestyle that we enjoy so much. But if we’re going to buy a folding mobility scooter it’s really important that we go through the thought process to make sure that the model we choose is exactly what we need and fits our lifestyle. 

We hope this article will help in objectively choosing either a specific folding mobility scooter or at least help you decide which type of scooter would suit you best.

Types of folding mobility scooters

Manual v’s Autofold

Several models on the market today, generally 4 wheel models, have the ability to be folded at the touch of a button, usually on a key fob. For some people, particularly those with enhanced mobility issues or conditions such as arthritis in the hands or wrists, this is a great benefit – but the drawback can be that the folding mechanism can add considerably to the weight of the mobility scooter. This makes it helpful to speak to specialists when you’re searching, as they should have done the hard-work of finding the best options out there – we highly recommend the Zinnia X which unfolds at the click of a button, without sacrificing on any comfort.

Three or Four Wheels

Three-Wheelers: 

The first one you might want to consider is the three-wheelers, they are agile and portable and fantastic for manoeuvring through crowded spaces.  

Benefits:

• Portability: They are designed to be very lightweight as they are made in a way that makes them easy to be folded and transported. For example, our Lupin model can be folded to fit in a car boot, taken on public transport and is even airline approved. Three-wheelers are ideal if you like to explore!
• Ideal for indoor use: they are also suitable for navigating around homes, shopping malls and other indoor spaces due to their compact size. Because of only having one front wheel they have a smaller turning circle which is suitable for tight corners, tight spaces, crowded areas, and narrow hallways.
• Larger Wheels: Many 3-wheel travel mobility scooters have larger diameter wheels than their 4-wheel counterparts (up to 10 inches). This is possible due to their folding architecture and means that they can be much better at travelling over rough ground including grass, gravel paths, woodland paths and uneven pavements.
• Economical Choice: Three-wheel folding scooters are often available at a more affordable price point compared to their four-wheel counterparts, despite having particularly good  functionality.

Drawbacks:

• Some 3 wheel mobility scooters are less powerful due to the manufacturers trying to keep weight down. Some however (for example the Ren from Betty & Bertie) focus on having high-levels of power and have dual motors and the ability to carry passengers of up to 25 stone, more than most 4 wheel travel mobility scooters.
• A 3 wheel mobility scooter can initially feel a little less stable than a 4 wheel scooter. In the vast majority of cases users get accustomed to this very quickly and love the manoeuvrability the single front wheel brings. On a practical note users should be mindful that driving a 3 wheeled mobility scooter fast (particularly downhill) and then turning sharply can cause it to tip, but sensible driving eliminates this risk. 

Four-Wheelers: 

There are many different designs but can be broadly split into manual folding and automatic folding.

Benefits:

• Stability: Four-wheelers offer an enhanced feeling of stability due to their wider wheelbase and oblong ‘footprint’, making them suitable for outdoor terrain and uneven surfaces.
• Increased weight capacity: these scooters tend to have a higher weight capacity, accommodating for heavier users.
• Outdoor versatility: because they have four wheels, their design promotes stability, making them excel on various terrains, including parks, pavements, and gravel paths.

Drawbacks:

• Due to their slightly more complex design 4-wheeled mobility scooters tend to be a little heavier than their 3-wheeler cousins
• The way most 4-wheeled scooters fold up means that they have to have generally smaller wheels than can be put on a 3-wheeled scooter. This can mean that, although stable over grass and other ‘non-tarmac’ surfaces, the smaller wheels can dig into the ground and the ground clearance is not particularly high. 

Airline Friendly?

The deciding factor on whether or not you can take your folding or travel mobility scooter on a plane revolves around the batteries. There are specific battery power specifications articulated by the international airline industry which dictate whether or not a mobility scooter can travel on a commercial airline. If you buy a mobility scooter from a knowledgeable specialist outlet they will be able to tell you whether or not the scooter will be allowed on an airplane. See our airline information page for more detail on taking your folding mobility scooter abroad. 

Terrain

The type of terrain you’re most likely to be using your scooter on should be one of the fundamental indicators of the type of folding mobility scooter that you should buy. Travel scooters are by their nature smaller and lighter than the traditional pavement mobility scooters. This means that quite often they have smaller wheels and narrower profiles than the larger scooters. This is fine if the scooter is likely to be used on flat ground, but if it is likely to be used on uneven surfaces or non tarmac surfaces consideration should be given to the size of the wheels and also as to whether or not those wheels are pneumatic.

User Weight

Another potential restriction on choice is the weight of the user. Travel mobility scooters generally are less powerful than the non-folding pavement type. This is because the larger the motor the heavier that motor and the larger and heavier the battery needed to power the motor. A combination of these factors make the mobility scooter far too heavy to be folded and regarded as a travel scooter. Look for a scooter that has a high load capacity as they often have dual motors which makes them extra powerful on terrain.

Public Transport

Travel mobility scooters are a fantastic way of maintaining the ability to use public transport. If easily folded they can generally be taken on escalators and in lifts and can easily be taken onto tubes, trains and buses and popped into the boot of taxis. One significant consideration if your folding mobility scooter is likely to be used in this way is how easy it is to pull along when it is folded. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to wheel a folded scooter along a train platform when it is not designed specifically to be pulled in this manner.

Car Boots

One of the most common ways of transporting a folding mobility scooter is in the boot of a car. If this is likely to be part of the way you use your scooter it is very important to look at firstly the size of your boot to check that the scooter will fit in it and secondly, and particularly importantly, how you will lift the scooter and if this will be done by one or two people. Although folding mobility scooters are advertised as being lightweight, which most of them are, this is relative to the weight of a traditional pavement scooter.

VAT Relief

One of the benefits of buying your folding mobility scooter from a reputable and knowledgeable UK-based company is that they will understand the rules around VAT. In the UK the vast majority of individuals buying a travel mobility scooter will be eligible for VAT relief which means in effect that you pay 20% less for your mobility scooter.

It is essential that the company from which you purchase your scooter understands the rules as it is for them to ensure the self-certification process is undertaken for HMRC to agree that no vat need be charged to you. This should be done instantaneously during the purchase process and if done correctly means VAT is excluded from your purchase price – so a cheaper scooter for you!

We hope this article has been helpful in focusing on the key deciding factors when choosing your folding mobility scooter. Whichever one you choose, we hope you enjoy using it and feel that you have regained your freedom and can maintain your independence. Enjoy!

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about how to choose the right mobility scooter for you, the team at Betty & Bertie would always be happy to help – call 0800 999 6606 to chat to their experts. And don’t forget Purpl members can save £100 on their next mobility scooter just click here to get the code.