My first Mini Crosser was a great ride, when it worked, sadly it broke down, probably because of a faulty head, three times in as many months, however Elite Mobility refunded me in full without quibble, so I don't hesitate to use them again. But given those problems, and given that I rate the Tramper, especially the Tramper TWS, so highly, it may surprise you that I went on to buy another Mini Crosser when my Tramper TWS broke down for the first time in two-and-a-half years. Here's why, and why if you too are now looking for a four-wheeled off-road mobility scooter.
The first Mini Crosser, an M2, was a comfortable ride and replaced my first off-road mobility scooter, a TGA Supersport. The TGA Supersport is a very capable off-road mobility scooter and they are always available on auction sites secondhand, even from just a few hundred £s. However, much like pre-2024 four-wheeled Trampers, the Supersport has no suspension, so moving to a Mini Crosser, which has great suspension and a very comfortable seat, was always going to hold an attraction for me, especially in a market where there are only a few true off-road capable Class 3 mobility scooters, I also like its look. In fact when I decided to have a Tramper TWS built for me I bought an old three-wheeled Mini Crosser and had the seat from it fitted to my Tramper, giving me the best of both options - reliability, range, and maximum comfort.
So why did I give up on the Tramper TWS? Mainly sentimental, with a worsening spinal condition I couldn't make use of either its range or off-road capabilities, I couldn't even get out on it often for short trips, it reminded me of what had been. So when it broke down for the first time in two-and-a-half years I got it repaired, serviced, and sold it for good money. But then what?
I tried a TGA Breeze S4 but it couldn't make it up an important hill near me. So then what? Nor could the TGA Supersport (uncomfortable anyway), nor could the TGA Vita X, which have smaller motors. Back to the Mini Crosser. There was a low mileage one for sale, three years old, for £1800. It had been sold by Elite Mobility in Bristol, specialists in Mini Crosser, to an elderly man up north just 3 months prior, for £4000, who couldn't get on with it (always do unhurried test drives where you'll use them), but health conditions can change fast, as I know, that may have been the reason for him selling it. He'd tried to sell it back to Elite Mobility, but they weren't interested at any price, (as I later discovered for myself). Bargain if its any good, and so I bought it, not arguing the asking price. So it seemed like a good plan, it wasn't, it broke down, turned out to be 6 years old, not 3 years old, and had no warranty, despite the Ebay seller saying that it had 9 months manufacturer's warranty remaining. Ebay were not interested in helping recover my money, so it's now with the court.
to be continued
