Even a walk to the shops can prove to be more and more difficult; this could either due to age catching up with us, or because of an illness.

Mobility scooters were created to help people get about and give back some of that mobility freedom that age or illness might try to take away from us.

Mobility scooters come in all shapes and sizes. There are the heavy duty mobility scooters which are built for longer journeys and which can manage rough terrains. So, a day out with the family here and there, would suit a heavy duty scooter.

If you want a scooter which can easily be stored and used to get you down the shops, a lighter scooter could be the right option.

However, there are a few things that should be taken into consideration before you decide on which scooter to buy, things such as:

User weight

Storage

Speed

Seating

Expected usage

Other things to consider such as do you need the scooter to fit in the boot of a car?

There are fold up lightweight scooters which can easily fit in most car boots, as well as be easily stored in the home, however, this scooter would not be suitable if you are over a certain weight and you expect to travel over rough terrains.

You can however buy heavy duty scooters which can be dismantled into parts which then would fit in a reasonably sized car boot, however, if you need a scooter which can get you around the home as well as down the shops, a heavy duty mobility scooter may not be suitable.

Folding mobility scooters are great for transporting as well as around the home. They can be either 3 or 4 wheeled and generally have a speed of 4 mph.

4mph scooters are great for a trip down the shops or a visit to the family as long as you don't have to tackle steep hills. They are made for pavement use and can travel fair distances.

8mph scooters are generally the heavy duty scooters. These scooters are fine for the pavement, but you can also travel on the road with these scooters and they are fitted with lights for night time travel.

8mph heavy duty scooters are great for longer distances and can tackle rough terrains a lot better than a lightweight scooter. They are not generally ideal for around the home, some can however be dismantled for easy storage.

Some parts of a scooter can also be custom built. On some scooters you can have a choice of chair. Most scooters will be equipped with a swivel chair, but this is not always the case, so it is something to take into consideration if you would find it easier for a chair to swivel to help you.

Seat height adjustment is also something to think about. This would be an important consideration especially if you have back issues. Most mobility scooter sellers will be able to help you choose the right scooter as well as any optional extras which could ensure you have the most comfortable experience your scooter can offer.