Plenty of people arrive assuming they need to buy something, when what they actually need is to borrow one for a few weeks. It's worth knowing the difference before you spend anything.

When hiring usually makes more sense

Recovering from surgery or injury

A hip or knee replacement, a broken ankle, a period of treatment that leaves you short of energy — these have an end date. A wheelchair for eight weeks is a very different proposition from buying one.

Someone is coming to stay

A relative visiting for a fortnight who can't manage the distances your household normally walks. Hiring means they get about properly without a permanent purchase for a temporary situation.

A holiday, wedding or big day out

A day that involves far more walking than usual — a wedding, a show, a long family day out. A hired scooter can be the difference between attending properly and sitting the second half out.

You want to try before committing

This one is underrated. Living with a scooter for a couple of weeks tells you things a showroom visit can't: whether it fits through the back gate, whether you can face getting it out every day, whether the storage plan actually works.

The questions that decide whether a scooter suits you are all about your house and your week. Two weeks with one answers them better than any amount of advice.

When buying usually wins

  • The need is long-term. Over months, hire costs mount up and buying becomes the cheaper answer.
  • You want a specific model set up exactly to suit you.
  • You may qualify for the Motability Scheme — if you receive a qualifying allowance, you may be able to exchange it for a brand-new scooter or powerchair with insurance, servicing and breakdown cover included. See how the scheme works.
  • Second-hand fits the budget. A checked, serviced used machine is often less than a few months of hire — see what to check when buying used.

What to think about before you hire

  • How long do you actually need it? Be honest — recovery often takes longer than the initial estimate.
  • Where will it live and charge? The same storage question applies whether you own it or not.
  • How will it get to you? We deliver locally, which matters if there's no way to transport it yourself.
  • Does it need to travel? If it has to go in a car, that narrows the options to folding or dismantling models.
  • Who's pushing? For a manual wheelchair, the person pushing matters as much as the person sitting — kerbs and slopes are real work.

Talk it through with us

Tell us what's happened and roughly how long you think you'll need something, and we'll tell you honestly whether hiring or buying makes more sense — including if the answer is that you don't need us at all yet.

Call 01234 267393, or come into the showroom at Unit 7, Broadmead Business Park in Stewartby. Free parking outside and step-free access throughout — details on our visit us page.