Wheelchair repairs and maintenance

Looking after your wheelchair

All equipment loaned by the NHS, and provided to the user on a long-term basis, may need repairs. It is the responsibility of the user to report these to the service as per your terms and conditions. Wheelchair services have workshop technicians who will respond to any repair requests.

What to look out for

There are daily checks recommended for the equipment prior to use. For full details, please check your user manual.

Manual wheelchairs

• Brakes, check that the brakes are holding the wheel secure and are adjusted appropriately.
• Wheels, check that the wheels are secure and turning smoothly, and that there is sufficient tread on the tyres.
• Canvas, check that there is no damage to any fabric, such as tears or snagging, and that it remains taut when in use.

Powered wheelchairs

• Batteries, check that the batteries are sufficiently charged prior to use.
• Controller, check that there are no fault codes being displayed through the controller.

Issue with your wheelchair

Despite all regular maintenance of equipment, there will come a time when a repair is required. This could be due to excessive wear of the tyres or batteries not holding charge.

In these cases, you would need to contact Doncaster wheelchair services and advise them of the issue with your equipment. A message will be passed through to workshop and an appointment will be made. Please note, it is quicker if you can attend the workshop for the repair and it will increase the chance of the repair being completed at the first appointment due to the range of parts available on the van being limited.

It may be that the visit results in specific parts to be ordered. If there are more parts required, the technician will advise if the current equipment is safe to use. If not, you will need to use your backup manual wheelchair until the repair is complete.

Tips for looking after your wheelchair

• Be mindful of the terrain when using your wheelchair. Mud and wet grass can travel up the frame and become trapped in the wheel mechanisms. It is advisable to wash the mud down whilst still wet.
• It is not advisable to use the wheelchair on sand as this can cause the wheels to seize.
• If you notice any rust, this is a sign of a potential weak point on the frame, so request a repair by our technicians.
• If you notice any removable parts becoming stiff, lubricate using a 3-in-1 oil.
• If in doubt about the wheelchair, always refer back to the user manual for initial advice.

Page last reviewed: August 05, 2026
Next review due: August 05, 2027