Mobility scooter tyres wear out, puncture and harden with age, and replacing them is one of the most common scooter repairs. The key decisions are the right tyre size, whether to choose solid or pneumatic tyres, and whether to fit them yourself or use a dealer.
Your mobility scooter tyre size is moulded into the tyre sidewall. Scooter tyres are usually marked in one of two ways: a pair of numbers such as width and diameter separated by a cross, or a set of three numbers giving the overall diameter, width and wheel size. Copy the full marking exactly from your old tyre, and check the scooter handbook too, because front and rear tyres are often different. Wheel rims also differ, so a tyre must match both the size and the rim style.
| Point | Pneumatic Tyres | Solid Tyres |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Softer ride over bumps | Firmer ride, more vibration |
| Punctures | Can puncture and lose pressure | Cannot puncture |
| Maintenance | Pressure needs checking regularly | Almost none |
| Grip | Usually better on wet or rough surfaces | Can feel skittish on loose ground |
| Fitting | Easier to fit yourself with tubes | Often needs a press or a dealer |
Many riders choose solid tyres for town use, where punctures from glass and thorns are the main nuisance. Riders who travel on rougher paths or want a softer ride usually stay with pneumatic tyres. Puncture-proof inner tubes filled with foam or gel are a middle option.
Pneumatic tyres usually have an inner tube inside. A puncture is often a tube problem rather than a tyre problem, and replacing the tube is cheaper and quicker. Check the valve type, as some tubes have straight valves and others have bent valves to clear the wheel hub. Buy tubes that match the tyre size printed on the sidewall.
The correct pressure is printed on the tyre sidewall or given in the scooter handbook. Low pressure makes steering heavy, shortens battery range and wears tyres faster, while too much pressure gives a harsh ride and less grip. Check pressures every couple of weeks with a gauge, and use a bicycle pump with the right valve adaptor.
Most scooters leave the factory with a general road tread that suits pavements and shop floors. Deeper, chunkier treads grip better on grass, gravel and wet leaves, which helps if you ride to the allotment or along park paths, but they can feel noisier on smooth surfaces. Smooth or ribbed treads roll easily indoors and mark floors less, which matters for small boot scooters used in shops. Grey non-marking tyres are available for some models if you ride inside a lot. Whichever you choose, fit matching tyres on the same axle so the scooter handles evenly.
A slow puncture on a pneumatic tyre is usually a small hole in the inner tube. Remove the wheel, deflate the tube fully, and split the rim or lever the tyre off. Pump a little air into the tube and listen or use soapy water to find the hole, then check the inside of the tyre for the thorn or glass that caused it before fitting a patch or a new tube. Puncture sealant can get you home, but it can make a later repair messier, so many dealers prefer a new tube. Carry the dealer’s number with you in case a tyre fails while you are out.
Changing a pneumatic tyre is similar to a bicycle tyre, though many scooter wheels split into two halves bolted together. Solid tyres are tight and often need a press, so many owners pay a dealer to fit them. Always switch the scooter off and put it in drive mode with the brake engaged before removing a wheel, and support the frame securely. If you are not confident, a local mobility dealer can fit tyres quickly.
Under-inflated tyres make the motor work harder and drain the battery faster, so tyre checks help battery life too. Our mobility scooter battery guide covers charging, and the wheelchair tyres guide explains markings and types for manual and powered wheelchairs.
The tyres, tubes and wheels below were in stock when we checked each listing. Match the size on your old tyre before ordering.
For many town riders, yes, because they never puncture. The trade-off is a firmer ride.
No. Use tubes made for the scooter tyre, with the right valve type.
Often not. Check each tyre’s sidewall marking before ordering.
It depends on use, surfaces and storage. Check them regularly and replace them when worn or cracked.
Many owners can, with basic tools, but the wheel usually has to come off and split rims need care. Let all the air out before undoing the rim bolts, and fit a new inner tube at the same time. If you are unsure, a local mobility shop can fit tyres for a small charge.
Four grey block-tread tyres with four matching inner tubes in a size that is very common on small boot scooters. Grey treads leave fewer marks on indoor floors, which matters if the scooter is used at home or in shops.
Two pneumatic front tyres in a size found on many small and mid-size scooters. Read the markings on your old sidewall first so the replacement matches.
Black diamond-tread tyre in a size used on many larger road scooters. The tread pattern gives grip on wet pavements and ramps.
A pair of the same larger size, worth buying together so both sides of an axle wear evenly and the scooter does not pull to one side.
Four-ply tubeless tyre with a black diamond tread. Tubeless tyres need the right rim and a good seal, so check what your scooter has now.
Two tyres with matching inner tubes, so both can be changed in one job rather than reusing a tired old tube.
Black tyres for scooters and powerchairs with larger wheels, sold as a pair. Larger wheels ride more smoothly over kerbs and rough paths, so worn ones are worth replacing promptly.
Grey pneumatic tyre for small scooters and power chairs, from a well-known tyre maker.