Most of the breakdowns we attend were preventable, and most were preventable by somebody spending ten minutes a month looking at the thing. Here is what to check. No tools, no expertise.
Every month
Tyres
If yours are pneumatic (air-filled), check the pressure and top it up — the correct pressure is printed on the tyre wall. Soft tyres cost you range, make steering heavy and wear unevenly.
If yours are solid, there is nothing to inflate, but still look at them. On either type, check the tread and look for splits, bulges or anything embedded.
Battery and charging
- Is it reaching full charge, and holding it?
- Is the charging socket clean, dry and undamaged?
- Is the charger lead free of nicks and kinks? A damaged lead is a fire risk, not just a nuisance
- Are the terminals clean and free of corrosion?
Lights and indicators
Switch each one on and physically walk round to look. Headlight, tail light, both indicators, hazards. A blown bulb you do not know about is the whole point of doing this in daylight.
Brakes
Mobility scooters brake automatically when you release the lever. Check it stops promptly and does not roll on. Try it on a slight slope. Any change in how it feels is worth a phone call.
Seat and steering
Give the seat a wiggle — it should be firm on its post, not rocking. Check it locks properly when swivelled. Check the tiller adjusts and locks where you set it.
A general look over
Loose screws, cracked panels, frayed cable, anything hanging down. Have a look underneath too — that is where road salt and damage accumulate unseen.
Every few months
- Clean it. A damp cloth, not a hose. Water and electrics do not mix, so keep it away from the controller, charging point and battery box
- Salt. After winter, clean underneath thoroughly — road salt corrodes long after the weather has turned
- Basket and fixings. Check mounting bolts are still tight
- Anti-tip wheels. They should spin freely and be firmly attached
Before winter
Replace worn tyres before the wet weather rather than during it, check every light, and make sure the battery is in good health while you can still get a fault fixed in comfortable conditions. Our guide to using your scooter through winter covers the rest.
Things to leave alone
Do not open the battery, the controller or the motor. Do not attempt electrical repairs. Do not use a pressure washer, ever. If something needs to come apart, that is a job for an engineer — and if your scooter is under warranty, opening it yourself may affect the cover.
Signs to ring us about
- Range has dropped and has not come back with warmer weather
- New noises — clicking, grinding, whining
- Pulling to one side
- Braking feels different
- Any warning light you do not recognise
- A burning or hot smell — stop using it immediately
You do not have to bring it to us
Scooters and powerchairs bought from us include a 12-month at-home warranty — an engineer comes to you. Ring free on 0800 593 0400 and describe what it is doing.