Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Buyers Guide
WAV buyers guide
With so many different types of wheelchair accessible vehicles available it is often difficult to decide which is the right mobility vehicle for you. We have compiled this short WAV (WAV is a common abbreviation for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) buyers guide of the various adaption and conversion types to help you make the right decision. Below is information on the various adaptions for wheelchair access and travel. If you'd like to know more about the available manufacturer and model types for sale in the UK please see our accessible vehicle for sale infomation
Size is important!
The most essential factor when considering a wheelchair accessible vehicle is size with access and headroom for the wheelchair passenger being the prime concern. It is essential to ensure that the person you’re buying the vehicle for can actually access the adapted vehicle easily and once onboard have enough space and headroom.
Taller wheelchair users, that is wheelchair users who sit quite tall in their wheelchairs, may have difficulty entering the vehicle due to restricted door heights, sitting upright in the vehicle due to low roof heights and also suffer poor visibility due to low windows or windscreens.
WAVs with lowered floors offer an excellent solution for all of the above problems and also offer greatly reduced ramp angles for ease of access. High roof vehicles can also offer improved access for wheelchair users either using a simple on-board ramp, with or without the benefit of a powered access winch, or more commonly a powered wheelchair lift.
These tend to be bigger vehicles that probably won’t fit into your garage but do offer additional seating positions if required, which is another important factor.
Tip
Bigger vehicles do offer more space, but they also take up more space and access to car parks may be restricted. Jubilee’s huge selection of wavs gives you a much better chance of selecting the right vehicle for your needs.
How many seats do you need ?
Smaller Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles start with just 2 seats plus the wheelchair passenger with 3 seats plus wheelchair passenger being the norm and 4 seats being the exception.
Some compact WAVs may offer 5 seats but normally they require the folding forward of a rear twin seat to achieve wheelchair access (i.e. 5 seats or 3 seats + wheelchair). This Configuration is often found in VW Caddy and Citroen Berlingo WAVs.
MPV sized mobility vehicles tend to come with 4 seats as standard (especially when thay have a full length lowered floor) but some offer 5 seats as standard such as our Ford Connect Liberty
Bigger accessible vehicles range typically from 4 to 6 seats such as our exclusive VW Multivan Liberty whilst large wheelchair accessible vehicles such as our Renault Master AX-S offer up to 8 or even 9 seats as standard.
Tip
More seats normally means a bigger vehicle which normally means more cost. Try not to overstate your requirement.
Low Floor Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Smaller Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles start with just 2 seats plus the wheelchair passenger with 3 seats plus wheelchair passenger being the norm and 4 seats being the exception.
Some compact WAVs may offer 5 seats but normally they require the folding forward of a rear twin seat to achieve wheelchair access (i.e. 5 seats or 3 seats + wheelchair)
MPV sized mobility vehicles tend to come with 4 seats as standard (especially when they have a full length lowered floor) but some offer 5 seats as standard such as our Ford Galaxy Liberty
Bigger accessible vehicles range typically from 4 to 6 seats with the vehicle size, layout and access method being key whilst large wheelchair accessible vehicles such as our Renault Master AX-S offer up to 8 or even 9 seats as standard.
Wheelchair Lifts & Fold Out Ramps
Normally installed in slightly bigger vehicles e.g. VW Caravelle, Vauxhall Vivaro or Renault Trafic. They are usually accessed by a fold out ramp at the rear door, sometimes with the assistance of a powered access winch, an on-board wheelchair lift either at the rear or nearside door or an underfloor wheelchair lift at the side door. The major advantage is that this type of vehicle does not require such a high degree of conversion and can usually accommodate more passengers as a result.
Tip
More seats normally means a bigger vehicle which normally means more cost. Try not to overstate your requirement.
If in doubt please feel free to contact us by calling 0121 502 2252
