Folding mobility scooters, checked for you

On eBay UK today, a new or ex-demo folding or boot scooter typically costs £780, and a used one about £619. Auto-folding scooters cost more: about £949 used. These are asking prices including postage, so you can often pay less. Each model's page shows its own typical price.

It can save you half the price of a new one, because scooters lose value quickly. The main risk is the battery: batteries wear out after a few years, and a replacement costs from about £60 for a basic pair to £350 or more for lithium. Ask how old the batteries are and how far it goes on a charge, buy through eBay so you are covered by the Money Back Guarantee, and prefer sellers with good feedback. Read our used scooter checklist.

A folding scooter folds by hand in one piece, like a pushchair. An auto-folding scooter folds itself when you press a button or use a remote, which helps if bending is hard. A boot scooter (or portable scooter) doesn't fold: it splits into a few lighter pieces (seat, battery, front and back) to lift into a car boot one at a time.

The lightest folding scooters weigh about 12–15kg; most are 17–25kg. Boot scooters weigh more in total, but their heaviest piece is often 10–15kg. Think about who will lift it: we read the weight from each listing so you can filter by it (595 listings in the UK today say 20kg or less).

Often yes, if it has a lithium battery that meets the airline's rules (usually no more than 300Wh, or two batteries of up to 160Wh each). Rules differ between airlines, so check with yours before you book and carry the battery's paperwork. See airline-friendly scooters (115 UK listings today).

In the UK you may not have to pay VAT on a new mobility scooter if you have a long-term illness or disability and it's for your own use: ask the seller for VAT relief and fill in a short declaration. Private sellers don't charge VAT, so it doesn't apply to most used scooters.

No. Folding and boot scooters are "class 2" scooters, limited to 4mph, used on pavements and don't need registering, tax or a licence. Insurance isn't required but is a good idea for theft, damage and third-party cover.