Questions and Answers

Three vs. Four Wheels?

In general terms there is little difference between three and four wheel scooters in terms of stability. Generally width and low centre of gravity are the most important factors for any scooter. Three wheeler scooters are more manoeuvrable in a tight situation and have more leg room, but four wheelers are marginally more stable in rougher terrain or where there are tight corners on a slope. If a person has experience riding a bicycle in their youth, a three wheeler will probably be more useful due to its versatility. However, if a person is not confident with driving, then a four wheel scooter would be more suitable because of its slightly better stability.

Do I need a Licence or Registration?         

All states vary in their regulations. No motor car licence is required, but Queensland requires a form of registration.

What about Warranty?

Scooters Australia offers a three year unlimited warranty on all premium mobility scooters. This covers all parts and labour (including the electronics), but only if the scooter is delivered to the workshop. If a call-out is required to either repair the scooter or bring it back to the workshop, a call-out fee is charged after the first 30 days. Naturally this warranty does not cover misuse or normal wear and tear, and is limited if the customer has not had the product serviced by an authorised repairer. On all other scooters and products, the warranty is for 12-24 months.

How long do Scooter Batteries last?

In general, as long as 2 years if looked after. It all depends on use and care. The scooter should be charged once a week if not being used.  Batteries cannot be overcharged as the charger cuts out automatically. It usually takes about 8 hours to recharge if meter is low. Batteries are maintenance free: they can be tipped over, etc without spilling and they don’t need to be topped up with water. In general, the life of a deep cycle battery is determined by how many cycles it has had - usually in the vicinity of 200-300 cycles if discharged fully, but more cycles if it is only partially discharged. If the battery is discharged to a level of 20% and then recharged, it will last longer than one that is discharged to 60% and recharged - i.e. it will have more cycles. Batteries also last longer if they are stored in a charged state, not a discharged state. So it is best if a scooter is charged every night after use. Leaving a battery in a discharged state damages the battery. It is also better to leave the charger “ON” at all times if the scooter is not in use. Batteries reach their peak performance after about 20 cycles.

What about Servicing my scooter?

All manufacturers recommend 12 monthly services. A basic service takes about  1 hour. Services can be done at the client’s home or at the workshop. Scooters Australia offers servicing facilities in all capital cities and in many regional centres throughout Australia.

What if I get a Puncture?

Punctures seldom occur. But if they do, they can be fixed by local garage, most road services (eg NRMA, RACQ, etc) or by a Scooters Australia service person. We have available a system of puncture proofing that can be installed during pre-delivery for approximately $50 per scooter. Tyres and tubes can be purchased from Scooters Australia.

How do I compare Power Claims?

Unfortunately there is more than one way to rate the power of a motor. And there is the issue the type of electronics with which the scooter fitted. So this makes competing claims difficult to assess. (See the section: “How Scooters Work”). In the end, the best way is to test drive a scooter to see if it does the job you want it to.

How Steep will a Mobility Scooter climb?

More powerful scooters will climb a 1:4 slope with an 80kg payload –even more with certain models (some Merits, Avanti, Afikim). Compact scooters will not climb even gentle slopes with more than 60kg payload. What really counts here is the size of the electronic controller rather than the motor. The same motor using different controllers can have vastly differing performance characteristics.

How far will a Mobility Scooter go on a charge?

This depends on the size of the batteries – measured in amp/hours, the weight of the user, and the terrain. The bigger the batteries the further the range. However, a mid sized scooter with standard batteries will normally go around 25 kms between charges with a 75kg payload on gentle terrain Larger batteries will give the scooter a range of up to 45 kms. Don’t be fooled by claims outside these figures. Batteries reach their peak performance after about 20 cycles.

Can I get Mobility Scooter Insurance?

Yes, Scooters Australia can arrange both Comprehensive and Liability insurance for your mobility scooter at a cost of around $120 per year.

Can I get Finance?

Yes. Scooters Australia have an arrangement whereby a “No Interest Ever” scheme can put you in a new scooter even if you are on the pension.