Best Mobility Scooter UK (2024)

What should you consider when choosing your scooter?

1) Driving experience

For some users, this may be the most important aspect of their buying decision. If they’re going to use this for getting about, and sometimes doing so on their own, it needs to be able to handle different terrains, slopes and potentially uneven surfaces.

Some users will want to make sure they can get along at a decent speed as well! Do you know how fast mobility scooters can go?

We looked at how smooth the ride was, and how well controlled the changes of direction were. For most users of mobility scooters, it’s essential that the ride is not jarring, that vibration is not too strong  and that riding doesn’t put too much strain on your body.

To this end, we checked how well the scooter can make sharp turns, and the speed and smoothness of reverse gear. As well as its ability to go over rough, uneven ground, for example concrete with potholes, cracked stone slabs and suchlike.

2) Ease of setting up (folding scooters only)

No matter how good a mobility scooter is, if it takes half an hour to fold and unfold, or requires overly strenuous physical effort, then it’s not of much use to you, right?

Our list contains only those mobility scooters that have passed our tests for being able to be set up with enough ease and without too much hassle or strength required.

We checked how long it took to fold and unfold. We also checked how easily or otherwise the different parts connected together, in the case of scooters that disassemble rather than unfold.

3) Charging

Mobility scooters need to be charged regularly so they’re ready to go and have enough power to handle their next journey. Ideally, disabled and elderly will be able to plug the charging cable in themselves.

That being the case, we checked each mobility scooter to see how easily it is to plug it in for charging.

4) Ability to handle steep slopes

On occasion, a mobility scooter driver may encounter a steep slope.

So these mobility scooters were analysed for their ability and power to get up hills with a high gradient.

5) Comfort

Lots of mobility scooter users will be sitting in them for extended periods of time. And many users will not be as young as they used to be! Or as fit as they used to be. So comfortability when sitting in their scooter is extremely important.

We gauged the comfort of the seat itself over time, as well as with how much ease can the rider get on and get off the scooter.

6) Adjustability

Human beings come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, it’s super important that a mobility scooter can be adjusted in various ways so that all different types can sit comfortably on the scooter.

We examined to what extent the seat and armrests could be altered to fit a variety of differently sized people.

7) Portability

In other words, how easy is it to wheel around, lift up, and can it fit into a car boot. Most users will need a mobility scooters that can be folded up small enough that it fits into their car.

So we analysed how easily or otherwise the scooter can fit into the back of an average sized car.

What type of mobility scooter should I get?

Class 2

For the pavement and other public places, including indoors. For example, shops, libraries, museums, restaurants, shopping centres.

Since they’re primarily for the pavement (and are not legally allowed to go on the road), they tend to have a fairly low maximum speed of 4mph. That’s the UK maximum speed limit on pavements.

They normally cost significantly less than road-legal (Class 3) scooters, as well as being smaller, lighter and with more portability.

If you’re able to get to your various destinations by pavement, without needing to go on the road, then a Class 2 scooter will meet your needs. Or if you have access to a car, then you can fold up your Class 2 scooter and take it with you to the destination, and then put it back up and drive around on the scooter once you’re there.

Class 3

As you may expect, they’re bigger, sturdier and heavier. They’re not portable, they can’t be folded up and taken in the back of a car.

They’re road-legal, and that means they can be driven on most roads, but not motorways or dual carriageways, in the UK.

That being the case, they have several additional features compared to Class 2 mobility scooters, to make them suitable for road use, including

• indicators
• horn
• front and rear lights
• hazard lights
• rear-view mirror

Though they’re bigger and heavier than Class 2 scooter, they’re also considerably more powerful. They tend to have a maximum speed of 8mph. Their batteries necessarily have higher capacity and ability to deliver power. So they’re much better able to handle steep hills and long journeys,

They can also be legally driven on the pavement, but you can only legally travel up to 4mph, even though the mobility scooter is capable of double that.

You don’t need a licence or to pay vehicle tax.

You also don’t need to get insurance, though it’s recommended that you do.

But you do need to to register a Class 3 mobility scooter with the DVLA (since it’s classed as a vehicle).

You can do this very easily online – filling in an Application for vehicle registration certificate (V62) (if it’s been registered by a previous owner), or if it’s not yet a registered vehicle, then fill in form V55/4 (for new vehicles), or form V55/5 (for used vehicles) on the UK government website page for registering mobility scooters.

Folding scooters AKA portable scooters AKA boot scooters

These mobility scooters are pretty much like they sound. They can be folded up and put in the car boot.

These types of scooter will also be Class 2 scooters, since Class 3 scooters will never be folding.

As a Class 2 scooter, they’re for pavement and indoor use only, you can’t drive them on the road.

Folding scooters come in two subcategories:

1. those that fold down into a smaller size, with all parts still attached to each other
2. those that are disassembled into smaller parts, and put into the boot for transportation. Then they can be put back together when you’ve arrived at your destination.

Folding scooters have the advantage over other (non-portable) Class 2 scooters, that they are portable and can be taken anywhere by car, and then reassembled and driven around at the destination.

Non-portable Class 2 scooters obviously will not fit inside the boot of a car.

Folding scooters will tend to be lighter but they are still heavy. They’re also likely to have seats and armrests that are smaller in size, and lower capacity, less powerful batteries (so they’ll have less range).

Where can you drive a mobility scooter?

You can drive all kinds (both Class 2 and Class 3) of mobility scooters on pavements and indoors, including public places.

You can only drive Class 2 scooters in the above places (not the road), but you can drive Class 3 scooters on the road as well. Make sure to follow UK mobility scooter road rules when driving on the road.

The vast majority of public places, like shopping centres, museums, shops of all kinds have disabled access that allow for mobility scooters.

But there are some places that just physically don’t have room for a mobility scooter.

Smaller Class 2 mobility scooters are allowed into shops more often than larger Class 3 scooters (but larger shops and supermarkets are fine with either).

As for public transport, it depends on the individual company’s rules and guidelines. It may depend on the size and weight for train travel, for example.

Do you need to pay tax and register your scooter with the DVLA?

Class 2 mobility scooters

Class 2 scooters have no requirements like this, you don’t need to pay tax or register it with the DVLA.

Class 3 mobility scooters

The good news is that you don’t need to pay vehicle taxes of any kind.

You do need to register your scooter with the DVLA, there is no charge to do this.

If you’ve bought it from someone else (who has already registered it), you’ll need to change the vehicle owner.

You’ll apply for an Application for vehicle registration certificate (V62). You can find this online – fill it in, and send to the DVLA.

If it’s not already a registered vehicle, register it by filling in:

• Form V55/4 for new vehicles
• Form V55/5 for used vehicles

Do you need insurance for a mobility scooter?

You have no legal requirement to insure a mobility scooter. It is recommended that you do, though. Particularly if you’ll often be driving on the road.

Do you need to service your mobility scooter?

Again, there is no legal requirement to service your scooter in the UK, nothing like an MOT.

It’s recommended, however, to get your scooter serviced once per year. Doing so will lessen the chance that you get stuck somewhere with an immobile scooter and require to be rescued! Not only that, maintenance like this can extend the lifespan of your mobility scooter and see it lasting years longer than it would otherwise.

This can cost around £50-80 if you take it to a registered mobility centre yourself, or £90-120 if you want an engineer to come to your home to perform the service.

You’d also want to schedule a service ASAP if your mobility scooter is suffering from reduced performance or is making some unusual noises.

How should I store my mobility scooter, and keep it secure?

Firstly, ideally, don’t leave it outside. Or if you have no other choice, then make sure to get a waterproof cover to protect it from rain damage.

Ideally, you should keep it somewhere in your home for best security. But if not, in a garage or garden shed are the next best options.

As for security, don’t leave the key in the ignition!

If you want extra security, then you can consider a scooter alarm, wheel clamp or lock.

Do I need my scooter to go up steep slopes?

If so, here are the top mobility scooters for steep hills.

Lightweight, folding scooter vs. larger, road-legal one?

It depends entirely on your needs.

If you’re confident and comfortable with road travel, then a Class 3 scooter lets you go on the road, and travel at up to 8mph.

If you want to be able to take your scooter on public transport then a smaller lightweight, foldable scooter is more likely to be allowed than larger, heavier ones.

It’ll also fold up, and you can take it on a car journey further afield.

Any special requirements?

For example, is it going to be used a heavier person? If so, here are the best mobility scooters for heavy adults UK.

Lithium mobility scooter battery vs. lead acid

Should you get a mobility scooter with a Lithium (LiFePO4) battery, or one with a lead-acid battery.

Firstly, Lithium batteries in 2024 are super safe. That’s because of the advent of Lithium Iron Phosphate, it’s a type of Lithium that is very, very unlikely to explode or have safety issues of any kind. It’s pretty much unheard of at this point.

And it’s also because these modern Lithium batteries have BMSs aka Battery Management Systems. They constantly monitor the cells and shut off if they sense overcharge, over-voltage, or overtemperature.

These advances in technology have turned the situation around to the point that LiFePO4 batteries are now safer than lead-acid batteries.

Apart from that, Lithium batteries are better than lead-acid in pretty much every way:

• They last as much as 5-6 times longer. Lithium batteries can realistically last for 10 years, or even 15 years.
• LiFePO4 batteries are more powerful
• They deliver consistent power right up until they’re almost out of charge (with lead-acid batteries, power falls steadily as battery charge decreases).
• You’ll have better range (you’ll travel further on your mobility scooter on a single charge).
• Lithium batteries don’t suffer from sulfation (the no.1 killer of lead-acid batteries.
• Because of their longevity, Lithium batteries work out far cheaper than lead-acid batteries, albeit still with a higher initial investment. (You’d have to replace a lead-acid battery perhaps 5 or 6 times in the time that the LiFePO4 battery lasts).

(Here’s an article that discusses leisure Lithium batteries vs. lead-acid, the principles are the same for mobility scooter Lithium batteries.)

Here are the best Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries for mobility scooters.

Summing Up Best Mobility Scooter UK

That’s it for our guide. Hopefully, after everything you’ve read here you have a much better idea of which scooter is right for you.

We showed you the best mobility scooters (UK), ranked according to various criteria, including driving experience, range, weight, build quality, size, ease of portability and more.

We discussed which scooters are best for various purposes. For example, the Livewell Jaunt is the best value and high quality in the important categories; the Green Power Faster is by some distance the best scooter for road use. The Falcon auto-folding scooter, on the other hand, is the best lightweight, folding mobility scooter. For pavement and indoor use, that’s the best you can get. And for value, the ZT15 is really high quality for the price you’d pay for it. For a tried and tested classic, go for the Drive Devilbiss scooter.

If you want to check their price, here they are:

• No.1: Livewell Jaunt
• No.2: Betty & Bertie Lupin
• No.3: Green Power Faster
• No.4: Veleco ZT15
• No.5: Drive Devilbiss Auto Folding
• No.6: Wisging Scooter
• No.7: Drive Devilbiss Scout
• No.8: Betty & Bertie Zinnia
• No.9: Pride Gogo Elite Traveller Sport

Finally, we looked at various aspects of owning a scooter, including security, safety and where you can actually use the scooter.

Good luck with your mobility scooter buying decision!