December 4, 2024 | Terry Smith

Folding vs dismantlable mobility scooter: which is best for me?

If you’ve read our guide on the different types of mobility scooters and decided that a class 2 travel-friendly scooter is the best one for you, you may be wondering whether you should choose a scooter that folds vs a scooter that dismantles into several pieces for transport.

In this article, we’ll look at the differences between folding and dismantlable scooters, comparing the positives and negatives of each option, to help you in your decision.

Folding vs dismantlable mobility scooters – an overview

Folding scooters fold, either electrically or manually, into a compact package for easy transportation and storage.

The image on the right shows the Vitus Elite Auto-folding Scooter in its folded state.

As the name suggests, dismantlable mobility scooters come apart for easy storage. Typically, the parts that come apart include the seat, motor unit, battery, and front unit.

The image below shows the ST1 Mobility Scooter fully dismantled.

Folding vs dismantlable mobility scooters – the key differences

Weight:

Despite being compact when folded, folding scooters retain the weight of the complete scooter, making them heavier than the heaviest part of a dismantled scooter.

Folding scooters can weigh between 20-30kg, which can be too heavy for some users to lift. An exception to this is the Mirage Scooter, which weighs just 14kg when folded. With dismantleable scooters, the heaviest part when dismantled typically weighs no more than 10kg.

This is a key consideration for users who want to transport their scooter in a car boot – the extra weight of a folding scooter may prohibit you from lifting it into the boot.

Ease of use:

Dismantling a scooter is straightforward, however, it does require you to bend down, which can be difficult for some users. Most users will find the folding mechanism of folding scooters easier to operate.