A used manual wheelchair typically costs $50 to $500, while a used power wheelchair ranges from $1,000 to $3,500 for standard models. Complex power chairs with advanced features like seat elevation, tilt, and recline can run $6,000 to $10,000 even on the resale market. The final price depends on the type of chair, its age, and how many features it includes.
Used Manual Wheelchairs
Basic used manual wheelchairs are the most affordable option. Standard folding models from brands like Drive or Invacare regularly sell for $50 to $200 on resale platforms. These are the kind you’d see in a hospital or airport: steel frame, vinyl upholstery, swing-away footrests.
Lightweight and ultra-lightweight rigid-frame chairs cost more. Used models from brands like TiLite or Quickie, which are custom-fit and built from aluminum or titanium, typically sell for $300 to $900. These chairs weigh significantly less, roll more efficiently, and are what most full-time manual wheelchair users prefer. A used TiLite Aero Z, for example, lists around $900 on resale sites, while a used Quickie folding chair might go for $350 to $500.
Used Power Wheelchairs
Used power wheelchairs have a much wider price range because the technology varies so dramatically. A basic used power chair with simple joystick controls and standard seating sells for roughly $1,000 to $3,500. These chairs handle flat surfaces and indoor use well but lack the advanced positioning features that more complex models offer.
Mid-range to high-end power chairs hold their value more stubbornly. A used Quickie Q700-UP M with standing capability sells for around $6,500. Used Quantum Edge 3 models with seat lift, tilt, recline, and leg elevation list between $8,700 and $9,800. A used Permobil F3 with similar features goes for about $8,900. For context, these chairs cost $25,000 to $40,000 or more when new, so even at these prices they represent a steep discount.
At the extreme end, used all-terrain mobility vehicles like the Outrider Coyote sell for $19,000 to $27,000.
Used Pediatric Wheelchairs
Pediatric wheelchairs have their own resale market, partly because children outgrow them. Used pediatric manual chairs range from about $350 to $1,000. Basic folding models from Convaid or Quickie cluster around $350 to $400, while tilt-in-space models that offer more positioning support tend to run $500 to $1,200. A used TiLite Twist, a popular rigid pediatric frame, typically lists for $400 to $500.
Pediatric power chairs are rarer on the used market but do appear. A used Quantum Edge 3 pediatric power chair with tilt and lift was recently listed at $4,500, which is still a fraction of its original cost.
Hidden Costs to Factor In
The sticker price on a used wheelchair is rarely the full cost. Batteries are the biggest ongoing expense for power chairs. A pair of sealed lead-acid batteries, which most power wheelchairs use, costs $60 to $250 depending on capacity. Lithium-ion replacements run $120 to $235 or more. Power chair batteries typically need replacing every one to two years with regular use, so if the seller can’t tell you when the batteries were last changed, budget for a new set immediately.
Tires and casters wear out on both manual and power chairs. Replacement pneumatic tires cost $15 to $40 each, and front casters run $10 to $30 per pair. Upholstery replacement for a worn seat or backrest costs $30 to $100 depending on the chair model. Cushions are another consideration: a used wheelchair rarely comes with a proper pressure-relief cushion, and a new one costs $50 to $500 depending on the type.
Shipping is a significant expense if you’re buying online. Manual wheelchairs can ship via standard carriers for $30 to $80 in most cases, but power wheelchairs weigh 150 to 350 pounds and often require freight shipping, which can cost $150 to $400 or more depending on distance.
What to Inspect Before Buying
A used wheelchair can be a great deal or an expensive mistake. The frame is the most important thing to check. Sight down the seat rails and look for cracks, bends, or failing welds. Place the chair on a level surface and confirm all four wheels touch the ground evenly. If they don’t, the frame is likely bent. Roll the chair in a straight line for about ten feet. If it veers more than a foot to one side, the frame or casters may be damaged.
Check the wheel locks by engaging each one and trying to push the chair. They should grip the tire firmly enough to prevent any movement. Look at the rubber tips on the locks for cracks or splitting. Inspect the back brace joints for damage, and check that the seat material is taut on the frame with no rips or tears. On power chairs, test every function: drive in all directions, operate the tilt, recline, and any other positioning features, and listen for unusual grinding or clicking from the motors.
Lower-Cost Alternatives
If even a used wheelchair stretches your budget, medical equipment loan closets offer another path. Many counties and nonprofits operate programs that lend donated wheelchairs to people who can’t afford to buy one or whose insurance falls short. These programs typically charge a small administrative fee, often around $30 for a wheelchair, and loan equipment for three months or longer. No one is turned away for inability to pay the fee.
To find a loan closet near you, search for “medical equipment loan closet” plus your county or state. Area Agencies on Aging, independent living centers, and organizations like the Muscular Dystrophy Association also maintain equipment recycling programs. Some programs only carry basic manual chairs, while others stock power wheelchairs depending on what has been donated.
Charitable organizations like the Free Wheelchair Mission and local Lions Clubs sometimes provide wheelchairs at no cost. State vocational rehabilitation agencies may also cover wheelchair costs for people who need one for employment. Availability and wait times vary widely, but these programs are worth exploring before paying out of pocket.