How can you spot a fake Xiaomi electric scooter?

Any type of transport that avoids walking has always been extremely popular. And one of the best solutions for today's anti-walkers is the electric scooter. Its manoeuvrability, lightness and size have won over a large number of urbanites. However, counterfeiters have been quick to create replica scooters to make a profit. As well as being ripped off by crooks, this can also be extremely dangerous for you. In this article, we reveal our tips for spotting a counterfeit, using the famous Xiaomi scooter brand as an example.

The first thing you need to know is that electric scooter brands make very little profit. So if, for example, a company is selling a Xiaomi 1S for less than €350, you might question its authenticity. Sometimes, if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The scooter box :

The difference between a real electric scooter and a replica is hard to see on the scooter itself, but its cardboard box says a lot about its value.

Fake shipping boxes may look realistic enough, but they tend to be brown, whereas the boxes for the Xiaomi 1S and Xiaomi Pro 2 scooters are white. What's more, counterfeiters rarely cover all sides of the box with the correct information. This means that a genuine Xiaomi box has many details, such as the hazardous material warning sign for the battery and others that are not present on copies.

The application linked to the product :

You should also pay particular attention to the application linked to the scooter. It's your guarantee of authenticity.

Your Xiaomi scooter must work with the Xiaomi Home application and no other. If it doesn't, you're looking at a replica. Most often, the application offered by counterfeit sellers is MiniRobot. If you want to buy a Xiaomi scooter from a private seller, don't hesitate to ask them which application is linked to it.

CE marking :

You should also check that your scooter bears the CE mark. This mark certifies the conformity of the product. In addition to the fact that it must be marked, it must be accompanied by instructions for use written in French and a CE declaration of conformity. The absence of this marking means that the scooter has not been tested, which could result in a risk of electric shock or even fire.

Secure the purchase of your electric scooter with Obvy :

We advise you to use Obvy to secure your transaction.

Obvy is a secure payment platform that helps you avoid the scams that are common in transactions between private individuals. When you make a transaction on Obvy, the funds are only credited to your seller when the buyer certifies that the goods purchased are in order. If this is not the case, you are automatically refunded and the item is returned to the seller.

By using Obvy to carry out transactions between private individuals, you can also benefit from payment in several instalments.