A disabled man testing a new electric wheelchair has been forced to have it repaired more than a dozen times and it failed to meet basic safety requirements, a South Australian MP says.

Dignity for Disability MP Kelly Vincent says newly appointed Disabilities Minister Tony Piccolo must intervene in the trial of the new wheelchairs before someone is hurt.

Ms Vincent said there was a problem with the clearance under the footplates on the chairs which results in them breaking on a regular basis, in this case more than a dozen times in as many weeks.

"This is an example of throwing good money after bad, when someone is authorising the replacement of footplates that will only last a matter of days," she said.

"The situation would make a good script for a TV sitcom - but the difference is it's just not funny."