Firstly, you should consider what type of journey you expect to take on your new scooter. Is it likely to be very short journeys close to home on good flat surfaces or will it be more long journeys mostly over bad pavements or rough ground?

Do you need to put your mobility scooter into the car to take with you on journeys to the shops or on holiday? If so, you could have a small lightweight and portable scooter tucked away in the boot of your car. If you need to make longer journeys or enjoy 'off road travelling' (car boot sales or walking the dog for example), then more robust mobility scooters would be for you.

What is your body size and weight? It is important you choose a scooter that will accommodate you comfortably. If you suffer from back pain, then a 'captain seat' suspension and pneumatic tires would make for a more comfortable ride.

If you are looking for portability then you will find that there are many lightweight portable scooters available, to give you that extra mileage (approx 13 miles, due to the 17ah batteries) and will normally take a 21 stone user weight.

Some people feel they can travel for longer distances and withstand unpredictable weather conditions on mobility scooters that are heavier; however, others feel they can maneuver a lightweight scooter more easily.

What are your feelings on three or four wheel mobility scooters? Do you want something that will give you maximum stability or would you be better off with a scooter that will give you better maneuverability around your local shops?

There are easy answers to all of these questions and if you give them due consideration you will be sure to find the right product for you.

Do I need to register my invalid carriage?

Under the Use of Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988, invalid carriages are in three categories:

Class 1: Manual wheelchairs - Not required to be registered.

Class 2: Powered wheelchairs and scooters (up to 4 mph) - Not required to be registered.

Class 3: These are the 'larger' scooters, which can exceed 4mph, and the requirements are to register with DVLA.

Be sure to remember these, so you know where you stand when you purchase your scooter. Some mobility scooters are much larger with a few designs made for use on roads and highways. These kinds of scooters will need registering because they exceed the speed limit stated above, though many of them do not exceed 8mph.

It is not a legal requirement to purchase insurance, but with the interest of personal and other people's safety, it is strongly advised that you do insure your mobility scooter. This is relatively cheap and is available from specialized companies - you will need to shop around for good quotes before purchasing.