After 25 years of repairing mobility scooters in our Stratford-upon-Avon workshop, we see the same five faults again and again. Some cost nothing to fix. Others can run to a few hundred pounds. Here's what they are, why they happen and what they cost.
1. Batteries that won't hold a charge
This is the fault we see most. Nearly always it comes down to how the scooter is charged. People "stab charge": an hour or two on the charger, a trip out, then another hour or two next time.
Scooter batteries need a minimum of 8 hours on charge. We recommend charging overnight, every time you've used it. It costs pennies in electricity. Replacement batteries start from about £70 for a small portable and cost a lot more for bigger scooters.
One customer kept their scooter covered at the back of a shed, plugged in, for five years. Normally a scooter left that long would be dead. Those batteries were in near-perfect condition and the scooter was ready to go straight away. Looked after properly, batteries last. The same goes for electric wheelchairs.
We can test your batteries in our workshop for £15. See mobility scooter batteries for more.
2. The scooter beeps and won't drive
Nine times out of ten, the scooter has been left in freewheel (push mode). The owner turns it on, it won't move, so they push the lever back into drive. It still won't go.
That's because the scooter was switched on while the lever was moved. The fix is free and you can do it yourself:
- Switch the scooter off.
- Put the freewheel lever into drive.
- Switch it back on.
Please try this before you call us out.
3. The motor
If the scooter won't move at all, the motor may have failed. When a scooter isn't working, it beeps. Our engineers count the beeps, which tells them which part to look at. Count them before you ring us, as it helps us work out what's wrong.
A replacement costs about £100 for a portable, up to about £400 for a large class 3 scooter.
4. The motor brake
The motor brake is a separate part from the motor, but the signs are the same: the scooter won't move and it beeps. The cost is similar too, from about £100 for a portable to about £400 for a class 3.
5. The transaxle
A failing transaxle makes an awful whining or grinding noise. If your scooter starts making any sound that isn't normal, stop using it and call us. Driving on makes the damage worse. Costs are similar to a motor brake.
How to avoid most of these faults
- Charge for at least 8 hours, ideally overnight, after every use
- Switch off before you touch the freewheel lever
- Use the scooter regularly. One that sits unused in a garage seizes up, a bit like a car battery dying on the driveway
- Have it serviced once a year, so we can spot worn parts before they fail
Most scooters never have a major fault. By the third year, though, a busy scooter can need a motor, brake or transaxle. If you'd rather not worry about repair bills, read Motability or buy your own?
Book a repair
Call our workshop on 01789 339 738. Please call first rather than bringing a scooter in, so we can book you in. See servicing and repair prices.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my scooter beep and not move?
Usually it was switched on while in freewheel. Switch off, move the lever to drive, switch back on.
How long should I charge my scooter?
At least 8 hours, ideally overnight, after every use.
How much does a mobility scooter repair cost?
Batteries from about £70. A motor, motor brake or transaxle costs about £100 on a portable and up to about £400 on a class 3.
Do electric wheelchairs have the same faults?
Mostly, yes. Power chairs can also be locked by accident with the joystick, so if yours won't respond, call us before you panic.
