Advise on accessible cars please

**Gillette** · 20 June 2019, 21:54

Hi Annb,

My son recently found a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) for me. Like you, I wanted to be able to travel in it whilst using my powered chair. I would suggest that you ask someone to measure your overall height in the powered chair so that you know how much headroom you will need in the WAV.

Between us, my son, daughter-in-law and I came up with the criteria which were most important to us. For me, it was important to be able to travel in amongst the other passengers, rather than being stuck behind everyone.

We decided to buy an ex-Motability WAV as we were working on the principle that it was likely to have been well looked after. It is a large Renault - a converted van, I think - with six seats plus the space for the wheelchair.

Happy hunting!

**Annb** · 20 June 2019, 22:27

Thank you for your advice Dina. I think you are right that I need to look for an ex-WAV but the problem is I am not sure how to locate one. I have spent hours googling on the internet and have been phoning around but there does not seem to be any garages selling them in Surrey. The nearest one is an hour and a half away in Kent and there are several others in the Midlands which is an impractical journey for me. I recently went in a Community taxi which was the kind of WAV I would be happy with but I can't find one. I am worried that with the scarcity locally I might end up buying a troublesome lemon!
Ann

**Gillette** · 20 June 2019, 23:16

My son looked on Ebay. In fact, the one we bought was advertised on there.

**Terry** · 20 June 2019, 23:46

Hi Ann;

I have a smaller van type WAV, most of them have 3 seats and take a wheelchair. As Dina says, you don't want to be stuck behind the rear seats but most of them allow you to be beside or between them.

Ebay, preloved and gumtree all have some for sale. Do try it out in your power wheelchair before you buy.

There's always a risk buying a car so best to get it checked out after you have been driven in it. There quite a lot of conversions and different makes.

Love Terry

**shrew** · 21 June 2019, 05:26

in 2012 we bought a fiat doblo for my late mum who had alzheimers and had lost her mobility. It had been coverted. unusually, it had 4 seats and room for the wheelchair. My mum passed away in oct 13 but as a family we kept the fiat, although its now 12 years old! . As well as buying one there are companies that convert vehicles because this was such a vehicle, it had been adapted. We bought our near Blackpool, sourced it on ebay. The guy specialised in this type of vehicle, 2 far for you. Good Luck finding something

**Deb** · 21 June 2019, 10:06

Hi Anne,

We got our WAV from Allied mobility and the service was great. I do qualify for a mobility car but I think they sell second hand WAVs for people that don't.

I can drive my powerchair into the car and it is just behind the driver . To have the front converted was going to cost alot and we would have lost a couple of seats. It's just like sitting in the back of the car. We had some seats taken out as we dont have many passengers so it seats 3 and my wheelchair. Its quick and easy to get in but you do need to make sure you have enough headroom.

Happy hunting,
Love Debbie x

**AndyB** · 21 June 2019, 12:55

Hi Anne

I would suggest you contact the companies that build WAVs (you can find them all on the motability website) and enquire as to whether or not they sell their second hand vehicles directly, which I’m sure they do. They may even be prepared to bring any you are interested in to your house so you can try it for suitability.

Andy

**Boiler68** · 21 June 2019, 14:16

Hi Ann

Have you checked out Wilsons in Surrey..they are a motability dealer

Boiler

**Lynne K** · 28 June 2019, 19:15

Hi all. We went to the Motability Show at the NEC, Birmingham today to look at WAVs. We cannot afford a 'Sit Up Front WAV.' They have a ridiculous up-front price. But we found a lovely new Peugeot Rifter Horizon WAV omwith Allied. It has a ramp at the back and you can have a hoist to help get your powered wheelchair up the ramp. The wheelchair can be positioned either behind the front passenger seat or in the middle of that row. I think that I'll chose the middle so I don't have the front passenger head restraint blocking my view. Also, my husband (the driver) will be closer to me in that position so that we can chat more easily. The up-front cost for a manual is approx £1680 (my memory dependant). It's £500 more for an auto and that's what my husband wants. Peugeot aren't manufacturing the auto drive yet
We were told January.

I spoke with a Motability advisor about changing my car early. He told me to ring the Motability line and explain to them what I had told him and they wont charge me for changing early and they'll give me a partial refund of my up-front costs on the car I have now. That ought be about £450 in January so I can afford this lovely new WAV. I can hire it for 5 years he said. Lynne

**Annb** · 28 June 2019, 20:13

I am so pleased you found a car that you like at the NEC Lynne. It sounds wonderful.

I am not eligible for the mobility scheme but have managed to find an ex-mobility vehicle. It's a three year old Citroen Berlingo and is being delivered next week. I have travelled in the local Community Cab Berlingo so know it is a decent ride. It has a very low mileage and wonder why the previous owner used it so little.

Thank you to everyone who offered me advice. I found the whole process a bit scary having never bought a second-hand car by myself before. I am now looking forward to going shopping with my daughter without the stress and worrying about getting in and out the car. I can also regain some independence using my electric wheelchair when we are out.

Ann

**Gillette** · 28 June 2019, 20:28

Hi Ann,

Congratulations on your purchase. I'm sure you'll enjoy being able to get out and about more easily.

Have fun!

**Lynne K** · 28 June 2019, 20:45

Hi Ann, where can you put your wheelchair in the Berlingo? Lynne

**Ellie** · 28 June 2019, 20:49

I'm chuffed you found the right WAV for you Ann and hope you've many happy days out with your daughter.

Love Ellie.

**Music man's wife** · 28 June 2019, 21:22

Originally posted by Lynne K View Post

Hi all. We went to the Motability Show at the NEC, Birmingham today to look at WAVs. We cannot afford a 'Sit Up Front WAV.' They have a ridiculous up-front price. But we found a lovely new Peugeot Rifter Horizon WAV omwith Allied. It has a ramp at the back and you can have a hoist to help get your powered wheelchair up the ramp. The wheelchair can be positioned either behind the front passenger seat or in the middle of that row. I think that I'll chose the middle so I don't have the front passenger head restraint blocking my view. Also, my husband (the driver) will be closer to me in that position so that we can chat more easily. The up-front cost for a manual is approx £1680 (my memory dependant). It's £500 more for an auto and that's what my husband wants. Peugeot aren't manufacturing the auto drive yet
We were told January.

I spoke with a Motability advisor about changing my car early. He told me to ring the Motability line and explain to them what I had told him and they wont charge me for changing early and they'll give me a partial refund of my up-front costs on the car I have now. That ought be about £450 in January so I can afford this lovely new WAV. I can hire it for 5 years he said. Lynne

Lynne if you go for the automatic make sure it's a full automatic engine not an adapted one. That isn't a very good description but you get the hang of it.
Our Peugeot WAV from Allied is the adapted engine and its HORRIBLE. It has a very disconcerting judder along with other things.
We wish we'd just got the manuel.

Advise on accessible cars please

Advise on accessible cars please

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