VW Caddy Drive from wheelchair

[richard]

Yesterday I picked up my new or rather secondhand WAV, a VW Caddy, which I have bought. Another big dip into my life savings for a happy retirement and then MND arrived and b*****d that up. I can drive it from my Invacare TDX SP2 NB wheelchair ( Which the NHS partially paid for and the MNDA and My Name5 Doddie picked up the balance), back hatch opens, ramp comes down, in I drive and off I go. Yippee. Sorry I’m like a kid with a new toy. Sorry again I am a kid with a new toy.

It’s concerning that when my consultant said Its time for an electric wheelchair, the NHS won’t pay for it in full and rely on charities to make up the difference! I’m looking forward to my freedom again and going out with my wife, but today’s second jab day and I was lousy for 24 hours after my first one, so it shall have to wait.

I had been asked why I didn’t get it from Motabilty. Simple, they wanted my PIP for five years so that’s £39,500 and a £20,000 up front payment. A total cost of £59,500 and at the end of five years I have nothing. My car cost me substantially less than the deposit they wanted. I know Motabilty includes insurance and servicing but I will still be much better off self funding. I appreciate I’m very fortunate to be able to do that and for lots of people it will be impossible.

Richard

[Barry52]

Hi Richard,

I hope you enjoy your new vehicle and the independence it will give you. As you say the motability scheme is expensive when considering specialised vehicles but for people who want a standard car I endorse the system. I hope you don’t suffer following your second jab.

[Mary C]

Hi Richard,
So glad you are pleased with new WAV.We had ours on motabilty scheme and paid £3000 up front and then mobility component of PIP.We got it as soon as PIP was awarded so for us it was ok as never had the PIP payment for long before handing half back each week for the car.I am able to transfer to passenger seat at the moment and happy to be driven around😂.Happy motoring.
Best wishes
Mary

[Lynne K]

Sounds fab Richard. I hope too that your second jab isn’t as tiring as the first, Lynne

[Bowler]

Richard no matter how old we get we boys always like our toys. Enjoy your freedom. Watch out for speed cameras 😁

[denise]

I must be weird. I'm having to drive after not driving for 15 years. Have fun Richard. I'm trying to 😎

[Ellie]

Enjoy the open road Richard, be safe in your new wheels! 🚙🦼

Hope the jab's side effects wear off quickly. xx

[Bowler]

Richard, how’s the new “boys toy” going

[richard]

Didn’t play yesterday as I had my second jab and then some visitors. Today I’m feeling not too bad, slight aches and very slight headache but absolutely nowhere as bad as I was after my first jab. So out to play this afternoon

Richard

[Bowler]

Didn’t play yesterday as I had my second jab and then some visitors. Today I’m feeling not too bad, slight aches but absolutely nowhere as bad as I was after my first jab. So out to play this afternoon

Richard

Good news about the jab. Enjoy playtime. Don’t be late home for tea 😁

[Beemer]

I got a small car (Audi Q2) from Motability, so my 21yr old son could drive me when needed, I loved driving it too, as it is an automatic with automatic brake when you stop. After six months, my son moved out, my arms dont allow me to drive and I will soon require an electric wheelchair, means a bigger vehicle (WAV) will be needed. I paid £3000 plus PIP for the Audi, so I wont see any of that back when/if I change the car.

[Bowler]

I got a small car (Audi Q2) from Motability, so my 21yr old son could drive me when needed, I loved driving it too, as it is an automatic with automatic brake when you stop. After six months, my son moved out, my arms dont allow me to drive and I will soon require an electric wheelchair, means a bigger vehicle (WAV) will be needed. I paid £3000 plus PIP for the Audi, so I wont see any of that back when/if I change the car.

Dave are you sure that if due to medical reasons a change of car is required you won’t get any of your deposit back. When I sent our WAV back I got just over 50% of the £2k deposit I paid.

If you haven’t already done so I’d phone or get someone to phone for you and explain your circumstances. I found them really helpful on the phone but less so via email.

[Beemer]

Dave are you sure that if due to medical reasons a change of car is required you won’t get any of your deposit back. When I sent our WAV back I got just over 50% of the £2k deposit I paid.

If you haven’t already done so I’d phone or get someone to phone for you and explain your circumstances. I found them really helpful on the phone but less so via email.

Wil do, as I am waiting for the electric wheelchair to arrive before I do anything. I am aware that chair dimensions are required.
Thanks for the advice.

[Bowler]

Beemer

Dave not sure if this will interest you but I’ve just come off my branch monthly support zoomy thing. This months guest speaker was from the grants dept. She confirmed that grants up to £1k would be considered to help with deposits on WAVs from the motability scheme. If interested call connect in the first instance. If they cannot answer your query they will pass through to the grants team.

[PeterPan]

Just to add a different perspective. I am getting a ‘nearly new’ WAV, six months old with less than 1,000 miles on the clock. The Motability upfront payment is £895. The lease is for three years and the cost is £62 per week (the mobility element of my PIP). I’d be very surprised if I’m still around in there years time and it seems like a great deal to me!