Buying your first mobility scooter

Buying your first mobility scooter is an exciting step towards greater independence and freedom. With various options available, it’s useful to understand the different types and the legal requirements.

What are the different types of mobility scooter?

Mobility scooters come in three main categories: Class 2, Class 3, and folding/travel scooters. Each type has its own unique features and benefits:

Class 2 scooters:

       
• Speed: Up to 4 mph.
       
• Where to use: Roads and on the pavement.
       
• Best for: Short trips and indoor use.
       
• Advantages: Lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and typically cheaper.
       
• Drawbacks: You must not use them on the road, except where there is no pavement.

Class 3 scooters:

       
• Speed: Up to 8 mph (with a switch to limit speed to 4 mph for use on pavements).
       
• Where to use: Roads and pavements.
       
• Best for: Longer journeys and outdoor use.
       
• Advantages: More powerful, better suspension, and more features such as headlight and indicators.
       
• Drawbacks: Must be registered with the DVLA

Folding/Travel scooters:

       
• Speed: Typically around 4 mph.
       
• Where to use: Pavements, footpaths, and indoor environments.
       
• Best for: People who need to carry a scooter by car, are short on space or only need to use a scooter occasionally.
       
• Advantages: Compact, lightweight, and easily transportable.
       
• Drawbacks: Can be less stable than Class 2 and Class 3 scooters.

Tips for buying your first scooter

       
• Assess your needs: Consider where you’ll be using the scooter most (indoors, pavements, roads) and how far you’ll need to travel.
       
• Try before you buy: Visit a mobility shop and test different models. Comfort and ease of use are crucial.
       
• Check the range: Make sure the scooter’s range meets your needs.
       
• Consider storage: Think about where you’ll store the scooter and if you need a model that folds or disassembles easily.
       
• Budget: While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in a good quality scooter can save you money in the long run.
       
• After-sales care: If you buy new, check the servicing arrangements. For example, will any mobility scooter shop be able to service and repair your scooter, or will you be tied in to using one particular company.

Benefits of insurance

You'd be forgiven for assuming all mobility scooter insurance is the same. However, a quick comparison shows prices and levels of cover vary wildly between providers, so it pays to shop around. High prices are not a reflection of better levels of cover. Quite the opposite in fact.

The prices below are based on a three-year-old mobility scooter that cost £3,500. Where optional extras were offered we tried to get quotes based on a similar level of cover. Prices correct as of 20 May 2024.

Compare mobility scooter insurance

	ETA	SureWise	Mark Bates	Blue Badge
Price per year	£65	£89.50	£96	£115
Breakdown cover			Basic only
Home rescue
Cover on multiple scooters
New for old		only up to 2 years
Scooter hire		capped at £10 per day	capped at £7 per day	capped at £5 per day
Key cover
Puncture cover			Optional extra

Mobility scooter insurance benefits can be misleading. For example, you might expect new for old cover to mean just that, However, most providers will devalue your scooter once it reaches a certain age. Likewise, many do not include home rescue in their breakdown service.

ETA offers a fully-comprehensive policy with no hidden costs; one upfront price covers you on any mobility scooter, and a host of benefits are included as standard:

       
• Theft and Damage*
       
• Personal Accident up to £20,000
       
• Personal liability up to £2m
       
• Breakdown Cover for you and your mobility scooter (including home rescue)
       
• Replacement scooter hire up to £250
       
• Hospital Benefit up to £250 (no daily limit)
       
• New for old - however old your scooter
       
• Personal Effects up to £250
       
• Puncture cover up to £100

* You can insure your scooter for £3,500, £5,000. £7,500 or even £10,000. Mobility scooter insurance from the ETA is great value at £65 per year for a scooter or powered wheelchair worth up to £3,500. And you can buy the same policy to cover two people at the same address for a total price of only £90 per year - a 30 per cent saving.

Find out more about ETA mobility scooter insurance here or if you prefer to talk to one of our friendly advisers, call 0333 000 1234.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover  and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.