Being a 78-year-old disabled pensioner, I bought a mobility scooter from a company based in Bispham, Blackpool, UK on November 25, 2009.

I brought it over with me to Malta and soon after it started giving me trouble. Some time later, the company’s local agent discovered that the transaxle (pictured) was cracked.

I immediately wrote to the outlet from where I had bought it and the person concerned was, and still is, very negative in his attitude.

I have been corresponding on this matter for the past two years. At my expense, I even sent the transaxle to the Blackpool outlet that changed the cracked part and is now insisting that I pay £65 for the new part. I also have to pay for its shipment back.

I have written to the corporate factory in the US, the factory in Bicester, as well as to the Consumers’ Association here in Malta and the European Union.

I have been told that the US and UK factories cannot do anything and the UK outlet won’t do anything. Nobody can do anything. I, on the other hand, have incurred expenses here in Malta to the tune of €540 besides considerable postal charges. I sent the part to the UK by courier and, when the courier went to collect the transaxle back from the outlet, he was refused unless I pay £65, which I shall have to pay to get the transaxle back here. Finally, I shall have to pay the local agent for assembly. All this in spite of the scooter having still been under warranty.

I have been made to go to all this expense just because the UK factory issued a scooter with a cracked transaxle and because the sales outlet sold it as it was to a vulnerable, disabled pensioner.

Why are such unscrupulous and unconscientious dealers allowed to take advantage of anyone, especially the most vulnerable members of society?

I write in despair as I do not seem to have any means of redress.