Top 5 Issues With Mobility Scooters
Read our guide on the most common mobility scooter problems and how to fix them
Mobility scooters are (most of the time) quite reliable and robust machines. However, like cars and many other types of machinery, they can break down.
In this article we’re going to cover various types of issues and describe where possible, what you can do to resolve it.
If there’s an issue you’re having that’s not listed, feel free to Get In Touch and we will be happy to provide advice or a quote if needed.
Issue 1: Scooter won’t travel as far as it used to
Answer: Replacement Batteries
If your mobility scooter doesn’t go as far as it used to, then it most likely needs new batteries. Batteries are usually expected to last around 3-4 years on a mobility scooter, depending on the amount of use and how the scooter is treated.
For example, batteries hate cold weather and therefore batteries tend to wear out quicker on scooters being stored outside. Another example would be when people run the battery into the red regurly, scooter batteries love to be fully charged and running them down can harm them.
Issue 2: Scooter keeps stopping
Answer: Faulty Brake
Most of the time, if a scooter keeps cutting out or stopping when going over bumps – then it’s most likely due to a faulty brake.
The normal route to resolve this issue is to try put the scooter in “neutral” and then back into “drive”. This is the lever that’s located at the back of the scooter.
If after you release and re-engage the brake it still stops regularly, then it’s most likely going to need repairing, feel free to Get In Touch for a free quote if you’re having this issue.
Issue 3: The scooter seems to be slower than normal
Answer: Faulty Potentiometer or Batteries.
The first thing to check is if your scooter batteries are dipping into the “red area” when driving, if your battery is going extremely low when driving the scooter, then they most likely need replacing.
If the scooter constantly feels like its slower when driving and the batteries seem fine, then it’s most likely due to a faulty throttle or speed controller. The exact name of this part is called a “potentiometer” and can be easily replaced by one of our professional repair technicians.
Issue 4: The scooter seems to be varying speed as I drive
Answer: Motor issue
If you feel the scooter varying the speed constantly, for example slower, faster, slower faster, etc – then it could be down to an issue with the main motor. There’s something called “motor burn” that can occur, when this fault occurs it can leave “flat spots” on the motor which prevents it giving a consistent speed.
This type of issue is more serious and may require motor reconditioning, or even replacement in serious cases.
Issue 5: The scooter won’t move when turned on
Answer: Various issues
If you switch on the scooter and it doesn’t move, then it’s most likely due to a fault with the scooter.
Most of the time it’s down to the scooter being left in “Neutral”, the lever is located at the back of the scooter and the first recommendation would be to check that it’s in the “Drive” position. Sometimes people put the scooter in neutral when they need to freewheel the scooter.
Other than this, it could be anything else and the next thing to check is the diagnostics on the dash of the scooter. There’s usually a small LED light on the scooter, and if there’s a fault – it will flash a certain amount of times.
Count the flashes which will occur X amount of times with a pause interval in between. Once the amount of flashes are known, it can make diagnosing the scooter much easier.
Diagnostics and flash meanings can usually be found in the scooter handbook, however we’re happy to answer this by Getting In Touch.
Closing Notes
Hopefully this guide has helped you find out what could be wrong with your mobility scooter. If you’re in need of a mobility scooter repair service in Ireland, then feel free to check out our dedicated repair page here.
Otherwise, you can also contact us for a 100% no obligation free quote.
