What Type of Vehicle Do I Need?

What Type of Vehicle Do I Need?

We offer a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles, each with their own purposes, use and benefits, so it can be challenging to determine which WAV is best for you. When looking for the perfect WAV to suit your needs, it’s important to consider the following:

Size

The most important thing to think about when buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle is the size. Depending on the number of people travelling with the wheelchair user, you’ll need to think about the size of vehicle you’re looking for to ensure there’s room for everyone. Importantly, the size of the vehicle must ensure that the wheelchair user can exit and enter easily and be able to travel comfortably. Other considerations include the boot capacity and headroom when selecting your vehicle. Our team are able to offer expert advice on the size considerations of your vehicle, and with a showroom that includes vehicles in a range of sizes we are sure you will find a WAV to suit your needs.

Measuring your wheelchair

Before committing to a WAV purchase, we recommend that all our customers measure their wheelchair or the passenger’s wheelchair to ensure a comfortable fit. Standardised dimensions for wheelchairs are listed below, however, these sizes vary so it is always best to measure for peace of mind.

·         Length - 42” (106.7 cm)

·         Width - 25” (63.5 cm)

·         Seat Height - around 19.5” (49.5 cm)

For advice on measuring your wheelchair please contact us.

Drive

With our range of WAVS, we offer a selection of Upfront vehicles and Drive from Wheelchair vehicles, which is something you’ll need to consider when choosing your WAV. Are you looking to be able to drive from the wheelchair, or sit as a passenger? Would you prefer your wheelchair user to sit in the front or the back? We recommend making a comprehensive list of your requirements when looking for a WAV and have been sure to include important vehicle specifications on our online listings to help you feel confident in your WAV choice.

Brand

For some wheelchair users, brand or make of a car is a prime consideration when buying a WAV, it’s certainly something to think about when looking for the right wheelchair accessible vehicle. It’s important to consider the safety and reliability of each brand of WAV and look at online reviews – you want at WAV that will provide comfort and safety for the duration of your ownership. You may also wish to consider the resale value you can expect on certain brands if you plan to regularly upgrade your vehicle. Brands such as Citroen and Volkswagen are in high demand and generally have a higher resale value.  

How to Decide

Whenever you are considering buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle, the most important thing to consider is the needs of the wheelchair user. Ensuring the vehicle is comfortable and suitable should be the number one priority when choosing a WAV.

Our team of friendly staff have over 25 years of working in the Vehicle Adaptation field and are more than happy to offer advice and guidance when it comes to choosing the right WAV for you and your needs. We are also able to offer a full demonstration before we hand over any of our vehicles to ensure your full confidence, and make sure the vehicle is absolutely right for you.  

If you’re looking for support in finding a wheelchair accessible vehicle, please get in touch.