Second hand electric scooters – pros vs cons

Buying a second-hand electric scooter

Although it should be approached with caution, there are many benefits to opting for a second-hand electric scooter.

Cost effectiveness

The main benefit to buying second-hand is the opportunity to buy a premium model at a lower cost. Although budget-friendly e-scooter brands are available, premium models can come with a hefty price tag.

However, by buying a second-hand scooter, it is possible to get a high-quality model for a fraction of the original retail price. This provides new electric scooter riders with an opportunity to try the sport out without incurring a heavy investment before knowing what specs and features they may want or need.

Sustainability

One of the biggest selling points of electric scooters is that they are kinder to the environment than other forms of motorised transport. Unfortunately, whilst the ride itself may be sustainable, the shipping methods used to deliver a factory-fresh model may not be. Scooters tend to be manufactured abroad; the finished product then needs to be shipped to the supplier, and then forwarded on to the customer after a sale.

By buying a pre-owned electric scooter, you are preventing it from ending up in a landfill. If you choose to buy from a local seller, you will also be mitigating the need for overseas shipping – helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

Should you buy a new electric scooter?

Whilst there are some advantages to buying a second-hand electric scooter, it’s vital you also consider the downsides before deciding.

Second-hand scooters aren’t from a reputable supplier

When you purchase a used electric scooter, chances are it will not be coming from a renowned reseller, meaning you cannot be sure of the quality. With the existence of knock-off models in the market, because of unscrupulous manufacturers based abroad, you need to be sure that you are buying from a trusted source in order to guarantee that you are buying a legitimate product. It’s wise to do some research: check out reviews that may exist online, or word-of-mouth opinions from other scooter users.

By buying from an independent dealer, you are also sacrificing customer support. A reliable supplier, such as Scooters Direct, will provide on-going customer after-care, ensuring you get the most out of your e-scooter purchase.

Option to return your scooter

According to the Consumer Rights Act, second-hand sellers are legally obliged to refund a faulty item – but bear in mind that wear and tear is to be expected. However, the chances are you won’t be able to return a used electric scooter simply because you’ve changed your mind.

A legitimate retailer will usually have a policy allowing customers to return their purchase within a set amount of time for a full refund – faulty or not.

Used scooters can be of inferior quality

There is no escaping the fact that a brand-new electric scooter will be in better condition than a second-hand model. Although many will have been well looked after, there is no guarantee that the previous owner will have ridden carefully nor carried out necessary maintenance.

If your e-scooter’s previous owner has not cared for it well, you may need to make necessary repairs or upgrades yourself, which often isn’t cheap. If this is the case, you may find that it would have been more cost effective to have just bought a new model.

Used electric scooter batteries are less powerful

The battery is easily one of the most important components of an e-scooter – without it, an electric scooter cannot function.

Over time, scooter batteries will diminish in power. A battery replacement will be required around every three years. This means that, when buying second hand, unless the scooter has not been used you will likely inherit a battery that is not performing optimally.

This could result in:

• shorter battery life;
• reduced maximum speed;
• less incline capability.

If you do opt for a used model, you should either choose an e-scooter that is less than three years old or has recently had a battery replacement.

Limited options when buying a second-hand scooter

Another disadvantage to buying a second-hand scooter is the lack of available choice. Rather than being able to narrow down your search according specific specs and requirements, it is likely that you will simply have to select from what’s available on re-sale sites such as eBay, Gacebook marketplace or Gumtree.

Additionally, electric scooter manufacturers regularly release updated models, with all-new specs and features. If you’re buying a used scooter, the likelihood is that you will have to wait several years to benefit from such updates.

New or second-hand electric scooters: which is best?

Although there are benefits to buying a second-hand electric scooter, we’d ultimately recommend a brand-new model.

Whilst used scooters may provide money-saving opportunities, you must consider whether sacrificing on quality, customer support and reputability is worth the trade-off. If you are working with a limited budget but still want premium quality, we’d recommend opting for a high-end manufacturer’s older models.

At Scooters Direct, we have a wide range of environmentally friendly electric scooters, catering for a variety of budgets. If you have any further questions about which electric scooter to buy, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team – we’re always happy to help!