Shopmobility Renfrewshire has warned people buying second-hand mobility scooters to make sure essential safety checks have been carried out before using them.
The organisation raised concerns after reports of second-hand scooters being sold that may not be safe. Health and safety director Tommy Higgins said brakes, batteries and tyres must be in good working order, and that some sellers cannot guarantee those checks.
Last year someone brought a scooter bought from a charity shop to Shopmobility to be checked by its technician. The technician found faults that made the scooter potentially dangerous, with repairs costing more than the purchase price.
Shopmobility said it had also been told about shops apparently renting out scooters and raised concerns over whether insurance cover was being provided. It reminded retailers that second-hand scooters must meet consumer rights rules on quality, fitness for purpose and description.
As a member of Shopmobility UK, the Paisley-based charity says its own scooters, powerchairs and manual wheelchairs are regularly maintained and insured. Higgins advised buyers to take a 10–15 minute test drive to see whether the battery indicator drops quickly under load — a sign the battery may not be in good condition — and noted that the scooter is effectively the user’s legs when getting out of danger.
Anyone needing advice when buying equipment is invited to contact Shopmobility Renfrewshire.