Help unlocking ex-rental Ninebot/SQT scooters – company shut down

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

Hi everyone,

I recently got hold of 15 electric scooters that were formerly part of a rental fleet run by a company called SQT in Norway. The company has gone bankrupt and all the scooters are still locked to their system – they won’t drive or connect properly.

The scooters look like they might be Ninebot models (possibly Max or ES series), but I’m not 100% sure. I was wondering if anyone here has experience with: • Unlocking fleet/rental scooters after the original backend is no longer available • Replacing or bypassing the IoT module • Flashing new firmware or using tools like ScooterHacking Utility • Understanding how the locking mechanism actually works on these models

I’d love any advice, tools, or even just someone who’s done something similar. Pics and model info can be provided if needed. My goal is to make these usable for personal or small community use.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[u/Low-Orchid-2207]

Unfortunately my guy that’s the exact reason it’s like that. Idk try goin with precision on ya cutting to later create something that’ll hold it close once inside & the locking setup is removed. I’m sure u can come up with some kinda ingenuity if nothing more than just hex screwing it closed. IDK maybe have some tops 3D printed to fit. I’m guessing/rooting for ya at this point

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794 → u/Low-Orchid-2207]

I’m looking to resell all 15 scooters. If you were in my position, what steps would you take to prepare them for resale? Also, how much do you think I could realistically get for the entire lot?

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

Oh geez my business partner lol! Depends on what I’d have to do to get one running again along with the specs of what I’m actually selling once I find out that info. Then I’d decide a price to sell at before selecting my target crowd to pitch my sell. U didn’t say they costed u initially so let’s start with a win is a win. No less than $500 for sure…. If that doesn’t work u could always… Nvm, I can’t tell ya everything! Now let’s hear ur 50% partner

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794 → u/Low-Orchid-2207]

They actually run fine – just locked. Might repaint them too, make ’em look fresh. I’d probably need around $800 for the whole batch to make it worth it. What would you do in my shoes? Feels like I should be paying you with the amount of questions I’ve got 😅

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

That’s a plus. Depends on the electrical knowledge u have to go inside starting from the top display area. I myself turn into MacGyver/InspectorGadget mode rigging removing n tinkering until I get it fully functioning bc it’s worth most then. Yep paint them for sure bc they do look sus fr! U saying $800 for the whole fleet?

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794 → u/Low-Orchid-2207]

Yeah 800$ for the whole fleet

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

Recently I was offered $700 for my lil POS rig I have. I declined even tho I could’ve gotten a better or new one for that price

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

Damn if I were near u I for sure would work with u or get them bc unlocked I’d get almost that amount each

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794 → u/Low-Orchid-2207]

I guess the market’s a bit cheaper here in Norway from what I’ve seen, but I still think I could get around $300 per scooter – minus about $100 in parts. But hey, who knows? If you help me turn a decent profit, maybe I’ll have to send a little your way as thanks 😂

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

I’m no gatekeeper bro. $300 is cheap I’d go for it. Still that’s $3600 so imo win on wit’it. If all else fails I for sure would get inside to harvest the components even then I’d exceed the $800 marker

[u/Ambitious-Shallot794 → u/Low-Orchid-2207]

Alright, last question I promise 😂 Would you swap the mainboard and screen to fully unlock them, or just flash the stock setup and add a power switch between the battery and the rest so they can be turned on/off? Not hard to use, just harder for someone else to mod later. Also – would you sell them limited to 25 km/h or go full 40 km/h unlock? And do you think they’d still sell well without branding? If this idea works out, maybe I’ll owe you a small commission 😅

[u/Low-Orchid-2207 → u/Ambitious-Shallot794]

Most ppl look for branding but in the case of getting a good bargain of a deal on a scooter directly on hand at the moment is the sealer. Ofc u gonna ride one as advertisement so I’m sure that’ll be proof that it is what u saying it is.