Wot? No WAVs?

[WheelsOfSteel]

I am now the custodian of a shiny new electric powerchair which is a prisoner in my house.
We can't get it out of the door because they delivered the wrong ramp but that is being sorted.

The problem is now how to get hold of a suitable vehicle to be able to take it anywhere.
Motability suppliers are saying they can't get hold of new vehicles to convert, and the "nearly new" ones that can still be had on Motability are in short supply.
Looks like a private purchase for at least £10K may be the only answer

[Jackie R]

We had the same problem so we bought a VW caddy max WAV from a dealer that sells ex motability vehicles.

[shrew]

hi we bought a wav in 2012 for my late mum with alzheimers who became wheel chair bound. We still own it even though she passed away Oct 2013. Good luck with finding one. We bought ours from a dealer near Blackpool. Its a bit of a wreck now!

[TinyLady]

WheelsOfSteel - I'm in exactly the same position and we are trying to work out what to do. I also need space for my daughters in the car.

My powerchair was delivered 5 weeks ago. But is not allowed out until I have passed an "assessment" - totally ridiculous as I drive a car!

Even more annoying is the waiting time for the assessment. To add insult to injury they have limited it's speed drastically until I am assessed. So, as I can no longer walk I am pretty stuck at home most of the time (1 week until assessment day).

Did everyone have to pass an outside assessment, or are they just aware of how I drive my car?

[MMG]

Don't know where you live, but we bought a second hand up front Fiat Doblo WAV from a dealership that deals exclusively with WAV'S. They are based in West Bromwich West Midlands and state that they stock c250 cars. There were certainly loads available in July when we bought ours. Mind you cost £17k.

We had initially looked at new under motability scheme but timescales were just not viable, plus you have to pay for the actual adaptation yourself which takes around a further 3 months and is around £10k for "up front" which was our preferred option. This leaves rear seats and boot usable for "normal" activities, eg passengers and dogs.

There were a few specialist dealers, and more configurations than i thought possible.


Did everyone have to pass an outside assessment, or are they just aware of how I drive my car? - my husband was "assessed" by the man who delivered the wheelchair on the same day as delivery. Just took him for a spin up and down the road.

[PeterPan]

WheelsOfSteel
Did everyone have to pass an outside assessment, or are they just aware of how I drive my car?

They want to check that you appreciate the need to approach bumps, changes of level etc at 90 degrees. Health and safety really and very easy. Takes 5 minutes. Mine was done as part of the initial handover

[PeterPan]

We got a nearly new (1,000 miles) Peugeot Rifter via Motability scheme for the upfront cost of only £895. Clarke Mobility were incredibly helpful and kind. They supply nationwide and visited at home twice.

[richard]

I have a drive from wheelchair WAV. It’s a VW Caddy which I bought secondhand. Motabilty wanted a £20,000 up front payment and my PIP for five years. A total cost of just under £60,000!!! And at the end of five years it goes back and you start again. Appalling. My Caddy cost me £16,250, it was just under three years old and had just over 2000 miles on the clock.

[WheelsOfSteel]

Thanks for your thoughts folks. I will look up the providers you have mentioned.
Looks like a private purchase may be the way to go.
Just for the record - they did my powerchair "outside assessment" on the day they delivered it.
They just watched me trundle up and down my driveway and negotiate a few bumps.

[shrew]

The doblo we bought for my late Mum was 5 years old at the time, we paid about 6k. We chose it because there's room for 4 plus a chair. Good Luck with finding something

[DeeH]

WheelsOfSteel

Found some on Auto trader, second hand BUT

Still unsure of getting sight unseen. Given we would only take 2 short trips per week/ 10 days.

Using Motobility seemed expensive plus I prefer owning a second hand one, due to personal reasons.

I have only had 3 cars in the last 20 years, buy second hand and drive it till it wouldn't go any more plus use very low mileage.

Any encouragment as the Front door may be fixed soon for level access (freedom for Thomas in his power chair). All the local places don't do it.

In Cumbria

HELP


Donna

[richard]

May I suggest you Google ‘WAV’ or ‘Drive from WAV’. Strangely I found most secondhand retailers were in the North of England and I live in Hertfordshire. The two I dealt with were very helpful. The general deal is you pay £250 and they will deliver it to you. If you buy the £250 is knocked of the purchase price. If you don’t it’s a fee for delivering it to you to cover petrol and time.

[JamesW]

Motability events coming up over the summer for those interested in attending :

https://motabilityonebigday.co.uk/?utm_source=launch&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=obd-tbe-2022

[denise]

I also noticed wavs are mainly in the north and a long way from us here in Plymouth. Not sure if we will go for a wav I'm struggling enough as it is. If fuel prices go up along with everything else I wonder what we would be able to afford to do even if we bought one. 😐