Buying second-hand mobility equipment safely

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Mobility equipment is often sold on after very little use, so buying second-hand can save a great deal. The safest buys are simple items you can inspect and reconditioned equipment from a dealer with a warranty. Anything with a battery or motor needs careful checking.

Before you buy anything: is it free?

Check first that you are not about to pay for something you could have on loan. Councils and the NHS lend a wide range of equipment free after an assessment, and NHS wheelchair services supply wheelchairs to people who need them long term. Our mobility aids buying guide explains how to ask.

What is generally fine to buy used, and what is not

A stairlift rail has to fit the staircase exactly and must be installed by a competent engineer, so a private sale rarely works out. A reconditioned stairlift from an established supplier, fitted with a warranty, is the sensible way to save; see stairlifts.

Where to look

• Mobility shops. Many sell reconditioned scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs that have been serviced, often with new batteries and a warranty. You pay more than in a private sale, and you get more protection.
• Charity shops, particularly the larger furniture and electrical branches. See charity shops and second-hand buying.
• Online marketplaces and local adverts. The widest choice and the lowest prices, with the least protection. See buying on marketplaces.

Your rights are different

• From a business (a shop, a dealer, a trader selling online): second-hand goods must still be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality, allowing for their age and price.
• From a private individual: the item only has to match the description. If it turns out to be faulty you have very little comeback, so inspect it before you pay.

Our guide to your consumer rights explains more, and Citizens Advice can help if a purchase goes wrong.

Checklist for any used item

• Is it the right size for you? Seat width, handle height and maximum user weight matter just as much second-hand. A bargain that does not fit is no bargain.
• Frame: no cracks, bends, rust at the joints or amateur repairs.
• Moving parts: brakes hold firmly, wheels turn freely without wobble, folding mechanisms lock.
• Rubber parts: ferrules, tyres and handgrips are not perished. Budget to replace them if they are.
• Labels: the maker's name, model and weight limit are still readable, so you can find instructions and spare parts.
• Instructions: ask for the manual, or check you can download one from the maker.
• Cleanliness: plan to clean and disinfect everything thoroughly before use.

Extra checks for scooters and powerchairs

• Batteries. This is the big one. Batteries deteriorate with age and with being left uncharged, and a new set can cost a significant part of the price of a used scooter. Ask when they were last replaced and for proof. Assume the worst if a scooter has stood unused in a garage.
• Test drive it for a proper distance, including a slope. A tired battery often shows a full gauge and then fades quickly.
• Charger: the original charger is included and works.
• Service history and any receipts.
• Tyres, lights, horn, brakes and the freewheel lever.
• Class 3 scooters must be registered with DVLA. GOV.UK says you can check a used one is registered by asking the seller or using the DVLA vehicle enquiry service; see our guide to mobility scooters.
• Is it the seller's to sell? Equipment on loan from the NHS or a council, or leased through a scheme, does not belong to the user and is usually labelled. Do not buy anything carrying a loan-service label.
• Spare parts. Check parts are still available for that model before you commit.

Paying and collecting safely

• See the item working before you pay. Be very wary of sellers who want a deposit or full payment by bank transfer before you have seen it.
• Take someone with you, meet at the seller's home address and go in daylight.
• Get a written receipt with the seller's name and address, the date, the item and the price.
• If you are buying online from a business, paying by card gives you more protection than a bank transfer. See paying safely online.
• If a price looks far too good, it probably is. See spotting scams.

VAT and second-hand goods

Private sellers do not charge VAT. If you buy reconditioned equipment from a VAT-registered dealer and you have a long-term illness or disability, relief can still apply to qualifying products. See VAT relief on mobility aids.

Common questions

Is it safe to buy a second-hand mobility scooter?

It can be, if you check the batteries, test it properly and ideally buy from a dealer who has serviced it and gives a warranty. Private sales are cheaper but leave you with little protection.

Can I sell or donate equipment I no longer need?

If it was lent by the council or NHS, ring the number on the label and they will collect it. If you own it, you can sell it, offer it to a charity shop that accepts such items, or ask a local mobility shop whether they buy used equipment.

Do I have a cooling-off period on used goods?

If you buy online or by phone from a business, you usually have 14 days to change your mind, used or not. There is no such right when you buy from a private individual, or in person in a shop. See returns and refunds.