8 Common Mobility Scooter Issues and How to Fix Them

For individuals with limited mobility, portable mobility scooters are a great aid that provides them with the independence they need. It also allows them to remain social as they can travel from one place to another without needing another person’s constant assistance.

While most mobility scooters for adults in Australia are made of high quality, other factors will cause mobility scooter issues. Such issues vary and can happen across the parts of your scooter.

But worry not if you are a first-time owner or have no idea how to care for your mobility device because we have laid out eight of the common portable mobility scooter issues, including how you can fix them.

8 Common Portable Mobility Scooter Issues and How to Fix Them

Here are eight common issues that you should familiarise yourself with, along with the doable ways you can fix them.

Issue 1: Battery

One issue that serves as the middle ground for all vehicles is battery issues. And mobility aids such as mobility scooters for disabled people are not exempted from this. One common problem is that your charger cannot recognise your scooter’s battery.

What you can do:

You must know what to look out for to fix such an issue. What you possibly have is a battery malfunction. What you can do for this issue is to identify how long the battery was left uncharged and stored.

You can also check whether the battery condition already looks damaged or smells like burnt plastic. Another thing you can do is to test the charging port and the charger itself.

Issue 2: Distance Covered

The battery of a portable scooter could reach up to an average of 10 miles on a single charge. But over time, its battery can malfunction, and its quality degrades.

What you can do:

There are some cases wherein you can have it repaired. But most of the time, your scooter’s battery may already need replacement as it could be at the end of its lifespan.

Issue 3: Tyres

You may think your portable mobility scooter’s tyres won’t show any signs of wear and tear since your body weight should not be that overwhelming enough for the scooter, right? However, you have to consider the surfaces where you travel. If you often go on rugged terrains and uneven surfaces, then it is a guarantee that signs of wear and tear will show at some point.

What you can do:

To fix tyre-related issues, most of the time, you need to have it replaced, balanced or swapped when it starts to wiggle or wobble.

Issue 4: Ignition Issues

Your ignition key can get stuck, and it can even get locked up or frozen, which will then cause the key to snap and break, especially if you exert force in an attempt to turn on the scooter.

What you can do:

If you cannot remove your key or the ignition will not release, you will most likely need to replace it with a new system.

Issue 5: Steering Control

After a certain amount of time, you might notice that your scooter steers in a different direction rather than going in a straight path. This happens for various reasons, but one of them is a misaligned steering system or steering column.

What you can do:

You can resolve this issue simply by keeping the front wheels steady and having someone else crank the steering column until it goes to the correct and straight position again. But if your scooter has a complicated system, you should have it checked by a repair shop.

Issue 6: Motor

Issue 6: Motor If you have used your mobility scooter for years, you may have trouble with the motor as it can cease to function correctly. One of the common issues that occur that is related to the engine is flat spots, and this happens when the scooter bumps forwards as a result of the motor temporarily reducing its output.

What you can do:

When this happens to your scooter, you should fix or replace the motor or even buy a new scooter if the repair bears no changes to the scooter’s performance. When doing repairs, seek a licensed mobility scooter technician instead of attempting a DIY fix. This is because replacing a motor can be time-consuming and exhausting for a non-professional.

Issue 7: Speed Potentiometer

The speed potentiometer of your scooter is a crucial part of your mobility device as it is used to adjust the speed.

Due to their exposure to weather and other outside elements, the potentiometers of your mobility scooters are prone to corrosion. Corrosion on the potentiometer may cause the device to fail, resulting in the mobility scooter’s speed fluctuation.

What you can do:

It is best to seek professional assistance for this type of mobility scooter issue to have your potentiometer replaced right away. Don’t worry about the costs since it is an inexpensive and replaceable part of your scooter.

Issue 8: Upholstery

The upholstery of your mobility scooter can get worn out over time. Sitting on a worn-out chair may be uncomfortable, and riding on it won’t be a great experience either.

What you can do:

If you can no longer bear your mobility scooter’s worn-out padding and cushioning, you should seek a reupholstery solution.

Some mobility scooter issues can no longer be resolved through simple repairs and replacements of parts here and there. Unfortunately, the time will come when you need to get yourself an entirely new mobility device not to affect your quality of life. It can be costly, but if it gives you the independence to move freely around with little to no supervision, then every penny spent here would be worthwhile.

Reach Us Out at ATTO Australia

If you see the need to replace your portable mobility scooters, you might be able to find quality ones at ATTO Australia. We also provide other mobility aids such as rollators, walker chairs, power wheelchairs, and more. And if you are looking for mobility accessories, we also got you covered! Just contact us on 1300288628 to find out more.