There may come a time when you need to store your mobility scooter for an extended period, such as during the colder months when you use it less. Whatever the reason, it’s important to take a few precautions to ensure your scooter stays safe and in good condition while it’s not in use.
We’ve put together this quick guide to help you store your scooter properly – prolonging its lifespan and keeping you safe when you’re ready to use it again.
1. Store It in a Dry, Secure Place
First, you will want to store your scooter in a dry, safe, and secure place. If you don’t have room within your house, you can consider outbuildings, a shelter or your garage. These should also be lockable and on your property to keep your scooter safe from theft.
Please note: Some insurance policies may require your scooter to be kept on your property to stay covered. It’s a good idea to review your policy’s terms before deciding where to store your scooter.
2. Keep Your Battery Topped Up
If left unused, your mobility scooter battery will naturally degrade over time. To keep it in good condition, check on your scooter regularly and recharge the battery as needed. Charging your scooter after every use is normally recommended. It does depend on what model you have, but charging your mobility scooter battery for longer than 12 hours is not recommended as overcharging could also damage your battery.
Instead, occasionally topping up the battery while it is being stored long-term is a good idea to ensure the battery doesn’t go completely flat – charging the battery every two to three weeks should be fine, although in warmer weather perhaps only charge the battery once a month. We’d recommend checking your specific mobility scooter manual for detailed instructions for your model.
Mobility Insurance
Cover includes:
- Theft, Vandalism & Accidental Damage
- Third Party Liability & Legal Expenses
- Multiple Riders & No Age Limit
- No Hidden Fees & No Excess
3. Consider Stocking Some Spare Parts
Some people choose to have a few spare parts for their mobility scooter, which can definitely be useful. A few spare parts you might like to have include:
- A spare battery (in case your main battery does go flat)
- Spare tyre tubes
- Light bulbs/reflectors
If you do want to get a spare battery for your mobility scooter, these tend to cost around £30 to £50, although this will depend on your specific model. Again, make sure you’ve referred back to your scooter model to make sure you get the right battery for it.
4. Monitor Your Tyre Pressure
Keep your mobility scooter’s tyres in good condition by storing your scooter at the correct pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
It may be a good idea just to double-check that the tyres (and the brakes) are in good working condition before you take your first trip with your scooter after it’s been in storage for an extended time.
5. Get Your Scooter Serviced After Storage
If your scooter has been stored away for several months without use, it may be a good idea to have it serviced to ensure there are no faults that could put you or others in danger.
Before your first use, check your scooter for any signs of major wear and tear, and be watchful for any unusual speed fluctuations and trouble steering as these could be indications that your scooter has developed an issue from under-use.
6. Make Sure Your Insurance Is up to Date
Just because you aren’t using your scooter doesn’t mean you should cancel your insurance. Read more about why it is important to keep your insurance policy live through winter here. Our mobility scooter insurance starts from just £3.80 per month, and will cover you for loss or damage to your scooter, third-party liability and accidental damage to property, recovery, legal expenses, and personal accident.
