Electric mobility scooter repair. 1 comment

Certified Service Center

We are a certified service center with full computerized diagnostic capabilities to repair electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, and seating systems. We can provide same-day repair due to our extensive inventory of parts to resolve our customers’ problems as quickly as possible.

We understand how important independent mobility is to our customers, so we work to ensure that our repairs are conducted in a timely manner.

Electric Wheelchairs

If your electric wheelchair is malfunctioning in any way or needs replacement batteries or tires, we can repair and service it.

Manual Wheelchairs

We can replace seat slings, wheels, tires, brakes, and casters, as well as repair most manual wheelchair components.

Scooters

We can repair broken-down scooters, as well as replace broken chargers, wheels, tires, and batteries.

Seating Systems

We specialize in appropriate and custom seating systems. We can also perform simple replacements of worn-out cushions and covers.

Our Repair Capabilities

Our company and technicians have years of experience that led to the repair of thousands of mobility equipment such as electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, and seating systems. We are factory-trained certified by the manufacturers of the products we sell and service. Thus, many of our customers are highly satisfied with our services and continue to trust our capability to solve any mobility equipment challenges they may have.

We aim for our customers to have their mobility equipment always available. That’s why we are highly responsive in servicing their repairs, so they can consistently enjoy independent mobility.

Repair Services FAQs

Find the answers below to the most frequently asked questions about our repair services for electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, and seating systems. If you have any more questions, please contact one of our customer service representatives.

There will be no cost for the evaluation and diagnostic if the repair is covered by major insurance companies like Medicare, Medicaid, or other governmental agencies. If it is a privately funded repair, we charge a diagnostic evaluation fee; however, if you choose to repair with us, the fee will be fully credited to the repair cost.

The repair cost will depend on how much labor it will take to service the equipment, and whether it’s an electric wheelchair, manual wheelchair, scooter, or seating system. If there are parts that need to be ordered, a written estimate or quote will be provided before starting the repair.

In most cases, repairs can be done on the same day once the authorization is completed (the authorization process usually takes longer than the actual repair). But if it requires the ordering of a particular part, the service will take longer. This is because the delivery of that part may take a day for overnight shipping or a few days with standard shipping.

Yes. We accept Medicare and Medicaid, and we are happy to submit to any insurance company for prior authorization.

We have a minimal number of loaners because most of the clients we serve have specific needs. Providing a loaner that does not adequately meet the patient’s needs may be unsafe and detrimental to their health.

Should You Fix Your Mobility Scooter Yourself?

Before we jump into action, let us first get the do-it-yourself question out of the way: Should you fix your mobility scooter yourself?

Although it’s obvious that in some cases it is important that you be able to perform repairs on your own, we always recommend that you call in a licensed mobility scooter technician to fix it, using their professional expertise.

Overlooking this advice might threaten your well-being and expose the mobility scooter to further damage. Therefore, as a precaution, be aware that by following these steps is done so at your own risk.

One important principle to know, whether you are doing the fixing yourself or requesting the services of a technician, is to understand how beep codes work.

Beep codes are diagnostic fault codes designed to help you swiftly and easily perform basic troubleshooting. Manufacturers of mobility scooters design the beep codes in such a way that the scooter beeps a specific number of times to correspond with a certain issue. In this way, you can identify what is wrong to work on the problem or relay accurate information to a technician when you make the call.

You will find a beep code chart included in the user manual of your mobility scooter. Thus, you can simply look at it for assistance. Alternatively, you can Google your mobility scooter model followed by the number of beeps you are hearing, to view results on what part or system is having an issue.

Most Common Mobility Scooter Issues and How to Fix Them

If your mobility scooter breaks down without an obvious reason such as an accident, then the cause is most likely to be found amongst the following issues: battery, motor, tires, potentiometer, controller/joystick, or ignition key. Let us take a closer look at each of these problems and how you can resolve them.

Mobility Scooter Battery

Battery failure is by far the most common issue when it comes to mobility scooter troubleshooting. Most scooter users do not really consider the battery, but if this component does not work properly, nothing else will.

It is to be expected for the battery on a mobility scooter to fail due to constant charging and discharging, which causes the battery to lose its ability to hold a charge. In this case, replacing the battery is the best solution to get the scooter working once again.

If you are not sure whether your mobility scooter battery needs a replacement, here are a few signs to keep an eye out for:

  • Your batteries can no longer recognize the charger when connected: This happens when you plug the scooter into its charger, but nothing happens. It is particularly frustrating, as your mobile scooter suddenly becomes unusable.
  • Your scooter doesn’t cover as much distance as it used to: When you start to notice that your mobility scooter isn’t able to travel as far as it used to, chances are this is due to a battery malfunction. Towards the end of its lifespan, the capacity of a battery will often decrease.
  • Your mobility scooter starts cutting out or stopping: If your machine begins cutting out, this indicates an issue with the battery and requires replacement. You will need to do this as fast as possible as it can be dangerous to drive a unit with a battery which is prone to cutting out, especially if you are using it on the street.
  • The battery is no longer able to reach a full charge or the battery lights drop faster than usual: These are common symptoms of a battery going south and it should be replaced.

Upon noticing one or more of these signs, it is more than likely time to switch your old batteries for new ones and inspect your charger. Most mobility scooters today will alert you when the battery requires replacing, but first, you should check the battery connections to make sure everything is secure and in place.

You would be surprised how often these wirings become loose or how the battery pack is not seated properly. If all is well and in place, you should check the battery voltage using a multimeter. If the battery reads less than 11.8 volts, it means that the battery is less than 25% charged.

If the reading does not improve with further charging, try a different charger if possible. If you still cannot see the reading increasing, then the battery is due for replacement.

Luckily, you should be able to easily order new batteries and even install them yourself. Before ordering, make sure to check which batteries are the right match for your vehicle to avoid additional costs. Lead-acid batteries, for example, are rather heavy, and you may end up paying a hefty sum to return them if you order the wrong pair.

Assuming you got the right batteries, here is how you can replace the old ones:

  • First, locate the current batteries in your mobility scooter. They are typically residing inside a detachable battery pack or under the colored plastic shroud beneath the seat.
  • Changing one battery at a time, match the colored ends of each battery to their corresponding tabs. Larger mobility scooters sometimes feature a disconnect harness that makes it impossible to install the batteries incorrectly.
  • While you have the batteries exposed, you can test each battery separately using a multimeter. If either one measures below 11 volts, you should dispose of it. A battery that reads 12 volts or more without a load on the scooter is a keeper.

Even though most scooter batteries are affordable, you want to keep them in good working condition for as long as possible. A couple of tips to ensure an extended lifespan include:

  • Keep up with the charge: If you don’t charge the batteries for weeks, they’ll dry up and their lifespan will be extensively compromised. So, make sure you maintain a 100% charge and always recharge as soon as you notice the lights going dimmer or the starter sounding.
  • Avoid overcharging: If you overcharge the mobility scooter battery, it will cause the voltage to become too high and the vehicle won’t operate. To resolve this issue, you’ll have to leave the scooter turned on overnight to lower down the voltage.

Mobility Scooter Motor

The motor of a mobility scooter is what allows it to move, which is kind of like the muscles in our bodies. Without a functioning motor, you are just left with an expensive seat on wheels!

Should You Fix Your Mobility Scooter or Buy a New One?

Well, there is no right or wrong answer to this question since it mainly depends on your budget and the seriousness of the issue.

After calculating the cost of fixing whatever is faulty on your mobility scooter, you may find that you are better off saving a bit more money by purchasing a new one. On the other hand, you may find yourself not having to pay too much for repairs, in which case you can get it fixed for a couple of hundred dollars instead of spending a couple of thousands to buy a new scooter.

Mobility Scooter Rentals

Renting a scooter with Scootaround couldn’t be easier. Book online or call 1-888-441-7575 to arrange a mobility scooter rental near you or at your vacation destination.

Scootaround can deliver the rental scooter to your hotel, residence, or cruise ship port. whatever will be most convenient for you.

What Kind of Scooters Does Scootaround Rent?

We are happy to provide our customers with a range of scooters for rent, including Transportable Electric Scooters, Standard Electric Scooters, and Heavy Duty Scooters. Availability of mobility equipment rentals can vary by location. Please check online or call us at 1-888-441-7575 to make sure we can accommodate your needs ahead of time.

electric, mobility, scooter, repair

Scootaround can rent scooters in more than 2500 locations across North America and Europe. If you’re looking for a mobility scooter rental near you, check out our list of available rental locations.

Transportable Electric Scooters

If you are looking for a scooter that is easy to move from location to location, a transportable electric scooter may be just what you need. As its name suggests, these scooters are easily transportable and can either disassemble or collapse to fit into the trunk of most medium to full sized cars. This feature allows you ease of travel and taking your scooter from place to place will be a breeze. The heaviest piece when disassembled typically weighs between 40-60 lbs, making transportable scooters a very manageable option.

Scootaround offers these scooters with weight capacities of up to 325 lbs (varies by location).

Available Options: 3-wheel scooter, 4-wheel scooter

Standard Electric Scooters

Scootaround’s standard motorized scooters are similar to the transportable models but are designed for more stability and can handle more weight. Because of this, they cannot be completely taken apart and disassembled like the transportable scooters. To transport your standard scooter rental, you will require a larger vehicle such as a minivan or an SUV – something to keep in mind when deciding on what type of equipment is right for you. A standard electric scooter is the perfect piece of equipment for someone who is looking to get around freely and easily. They can come with many accessories that will help you complete errands and day-to-day activities, such as a basket, drink holder and canopy. With an adjustable seat, comfortable tires, lifting arm rests and a tiller that tilts forward and back, getting in and out of your scooter is easy and comfortable.

Scootaround offers these scooters with weight capacities of up to 400 lbs (varies by location).

Available Options: 3-wheel scooter, 4-wheel scooter

HD Electric Scooters

Scootaround’s HD scooters are similar to the standard models but are designed for even more stability and higher weight capacities. Like our standard scooters, the heavy duty models cannot be completely taken apart and disassembled. Once again, a larger vehicle such as a minivan or an SUV is advisable in order to get the HD scooter from point A to point B.

Scootaround offers these motorized scooters with weight capacities of up to 500 lbs (varies by location).

Where can I rent a mobility scooter?

Scootaround rents scooters in more than 2500 locations across North America and Europe. We can provide customers with a range of scooter rentals to fit their needs. Our scooters come in three different sizes: transportable scooters, standard scooters, and HD scooters. Once booked, we can deliver the handicap scooter to your hotel, residence, or cruise ship port. whatever will be most convenient.

The cost to rent a scooter varies from location to location. For example, a transportable scooter costs approximately 39 per day in Las Vegas, 30 per day in Orlando, 32 per day in Washington D.C., and 52 per day in New York.

All costs are based on a 3-day rental. Scootaround also provides multi-day discounts, so the longer you rent, the more you save!

What is the Average Cost to Repair a Mobility Scooter?

What is the actual cost of repairing a mobility scooter? As a user myself, I know it’s hard to decide the repair service and if it’s better to buy a new one.

That’s why I’m offering you a comprehensive guide on the overall cost of the scooter repairs. Continue reading to learn more!

Understanding the Costs When Repairing a Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters are great medical equipment for people with disability and even those without because of the innovative designs involved in their building, which makes them fun to use.

Steve Hughes, commercial director of Roma Medical, says, “We want people to feel that they are going to have some fun with it.” [1]

The scooter is designed to be long-lasting. However, if you sit on wheels daily like I do and put several miles on it, it will need frequent repairs by a licensed mobility scooter technician.

Regular repairs by a reliable mobility repair service are crucial to keeping your machine running efficiently. A well-maintained electric scooter can last for over seven years.

You need to consider the overall electric scooter maintenance cost so that you can decide whether to repair or buy a new one. If the repair costs are high or your machine is over seven years old, it is advisable to buy a new one.

The cost of repairs varies from one company to the other. Here are the average costs for the repair work.

electric, mobility, scooter, repair

Labor Costs

Your mobility device service repair company charges labor fees. The labor cost involves removing and installing the necessary parts to complete the job.

The cost is usually integrated into the estimated repair costs, but it is separate from the parts’ costs. You need to ask if the labor fee is included in the estimates before the repair work.

Electric wheelchair repair services usually charge labor costs on an hourly basis. The average cost is between 135 to 200 an hour.

Replacements Parts

The price of the different parts also determines the cost. The parts’ cost is highly determined by the model. Older scooter parts are less expensive than more advanced and newer models.

Commonly repaired or replaced parts include motor, wheels, armrest, seat, joystick, and scooter battery. Here are the average costs of the parts, according to market research.

  • Battery – 90
  • Armrest – 80
  • Expensive seat – 100
  • Joystick – 175
  • Wheels up to four tires – 150

Warranty

Most scooter manufacturing companies offer complimentary warranties. However, you buy most warranties and they are added to the repair costs.

Look at this amazing folding mobility scooter.

Buying or Repairing: Which one to Decide and When

How Old is Your Mobility Scooter?

If your scooter is older than seven years, you need to buy a new one. This is more especially if you use the scooter daily like I usually do.

Battery Problems

If the mobility scooter batteries don’t charge fully or experience other frequent issues, the batteries require immediate replacement.

If you face issues with a new battery from time to time, the problem is with your scooter. In this case, you should buy another scooter.

Frequent Repairs and Troubleshooting

An electric wheelchair that requires frequent repairs and other troubleshooting issues requires replacement.

This is necessary since you spend a lot of money doing repairs without getting the right solutions.

Read our guide if you also want to learn about knee walker rental.

Availability of the Replacement Parts

Consider if the replacements parts are available, especially if your electric scooter is older than seven years.

If they are no longer in the market, the best thing is to buy another scooter instead of trying alternative parts on your machine.

Other Signs You Need to Buy a New Scooter

  • Frequent problems with the motor for a motorized scooter.
  • Failure to move in all directions.
  • Burning smell.
  • Hard to use.

For more details to troubleshoot your scooter, watch this video [2].

  • 1. Amelia Gentleman. The trouble with mobility scooters: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/may/02/trouble-with-mobility-scooters [1]
  • 2. CareCo. Troubleshooting your mobility scooter: https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=J2gB3FGU

About Lamia A Kader, MD

Lamia A Kader is a Medical Doctor and a Medical Research Professional with a Ph.D. in Clinical Research. ISMMS, USA. She had enhanced her medical knowledge of medical devices and equipment development and innovation by attending clinical meetings, local national courses, journal clubs, and conferences, in addition to e-learning, subscribing to major medical journals and keeping an eye on latest trends in medicine and keeping an eye on clinical trials industry and healthcare marketing current trends. She had participated in several medical device innovation projects by conducting clinical research studies, developing clinical trial protocols, writing patient safety narratives and “Medical Device Risk Assessment Reports” to transform new medical technologies into real products that save and improve lives. Follow her on LINKEDIN. Read her LATEST POSTS. Learn more about her HERE.

Where Can You Get an Electric Scooter Repair?

What do you do if your e scooter breaks? It can be hard to find an electric scooter repair shop. As with many emerging technologies, the service sector hasn’t quite caught up with the product. Where can you go to get your electric scooter fixed?

Never fear! In this guide you’ll learn what your options are if you find yourself in need of a scooter repair.

electric, mobility, scooter, repair

Electric Scooter Repairs

If you put enough miles on your scooter, chances are you will have to do some type of maintenance. In fact, you can expect some type of repair every 550 miles or about 6.5 months of use, on average. Most likely it will be a flat tire or brake adjustment.

Do-It-Yourself Repairs

You can do most common repairs yourself if you have a maintenance-friendly scooter. Be aware that even some of the most common and popular electric scooter models are not maintenance friendly (e.g. Segway Ninebot models).

On the other hand, some of our favorite e scooters to ride, such as the EMOVE Cruiser, also happen to be some of the most repair-friendly models on the market, with abundant parts available online.

Do a little research before purchasing to find out how easy it is to do the most common electric scooter repairs like fixing flat tires, adjusting brakes, and tightening loose parts.

Routine Maintenance (An ounce of prevention…)

Doing routine maintenance on your electric scooter can prevent much bigger problems down the road. If you ride your scooter frequently, this should include checking the air pressure on pneumatic tires at least once a month and topping off when low. (See our guide on electric scooter tires.)

If your e scooter has disc brakes, you should wipe down the rotors with a little rubbing alcohol and a clean, damp cloth and let air-dry once a week to remove grit and road grime that can prematurely wear down brake pads. (What kind of brakes do you have? See here.)

Check your scooter for loose screws. especially around moving parts like folding stem locks and folding handlebar hinges.

Nearly all DIY repairs can be done with tools you already have around the house or in the car.

Read the Service Manual

We know, it’s boring and no one wants to read them. But they exist for a reason. If you don’t have a paper copy, you will likely be able to find your model’s manual on the manufacturer’s website.

YouTube is a DIY Goldmine

You can see ESG’s guides to DIY electric scooter repair to learn how to fix some common problems.

You’ll also find a wealth of scooter repair content on YouTube, with video tutorials covering most major brands, models, and repair issues.

Below are just a few recommended channels from some top retailers and manufacturers. Although these channels FOCUS on specific makes and models, they contain useful general information for all scooter owners.

  • Voro Workshop. Official repair channel of Voro Motors. Filled with useful tips, tricks, and guides for basic repairs.
  • Kaabo Official. Fixing one of the many awesome scooters made by Kaabo? Start here.
  • Pure Electric: videos about repairing Pure scooters contain some good general info (including a guide to deep cleaning )
  • Apollo Scooters. Great info for setting up and maintaining Apollo’s many models.
  • Solar Scooters. Excellent channel from emerging makers Solar.

ESG Forums

Because many electric scooter problems end up being relatively simple to fix (sometimes with a bit of guidance), you can seek advice in our forums if you get stuck. The ESG Forums are teeming with experts and enthusiasts.

Ask your repair question in the RG forums (you’ll need to sign up to post, but it’s quick and painless).

Return to Distributor or Retailer

If you bought your electric scooter from a reliable distributor, you may be in luck. Depending on their policy and time since purchase, you can probably send it back for repair or replacement. If you’re doing research for an electric scooter purchase, then definitely make sure to check out the return policy and warranty information before buying.

Look for warranty information on major parts like the motor, battery, steering parts, and other components. The vast majority of electric scooter repairs are minor, but it’s good to have peace-of-mind coverage for these major parts as well.

In our experience, a retailer with a presence in your home country will provide better customer support. Large, overseas distributors on Alibaba or Amazon will not be able to support you as well due to prohibitively expensive shipping costs and a large volume of sales.

Most large general distributors, wherever they’re located, will not employ professional mechanics who do electric scooter repair. Sellers who specialize in electric vehicles will offer the best customer support and service because of their product knowledge and their in-house scooter mechanics.

Retailers With Premium Repair Shops and Customer Support

Below are three retailers who offer exceptional service and customer support for their electric scooters through their own repair shops in several major cities.

These manufacturer licensed shops perform warranty and non-warranty service on most electric scooter parts.

Voro Motors has service centers in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, New York, and Kapolei, Hawaii

Voro Motors

Retail shops and service centers in Brooklyn, NY, Los Angeles and Kapolei, HI, just outside Honolulu. Learn more about Voro’s servicing here. Search hundreds of parts and accessories from Voro here.

Fluid Freeride

One of the best electric scooter distributors with authorized service centers all over the U.S. Learn more about Fluid’s service support here. Find hundreds of spare parts here.

Electric Kicks

The best electric scooter retailer and repair shop in Australia. Located in Melbourne. Learn more about EK’s repairs and servicing here.

Local Electric Vehicle Service Shops

While rare, independent local shops that fix a range of personal electric vehicles are popping up in many major cities. You might even be lucky enough to live near an electric scooter repair shop or a few independent scooter mechanics. If you’re not sure, a quick Google search for “electric scooter repair near me” should turn up anything nearby.

Bike Shops

When all else fails visit your local bike shop. Some bicycle repair shops will perform scooter repairs, but the vast majority won’t touch them. Bike shops that also work on electric bicycles might be more inclined and less intimidated (or worried about liability).

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