Choosing a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) needs to be done with care. This is because you are going to make a decision that will heavily affect your future. To ensure safety and value for money, you need to find the right car mobility solution that works for you. The vehicle that you choose has to work for your short-term situation but also your long-term situation. There are several basic things that you will have to bear in mind during the buying process. These are some of the basics you need to consider.
1. Identify your Mobility Needs
Before you go out to find a vehicle, it is important for you to define how you expect it to serve you. Its functionality is a good place to focus your attention. This is where you need to not only think of your current needs but also what the future ones. Think of things like:
• Will the wheelchair user be the driver or will it be the caregiver?
• How many people do you want to often carry?
• Do you need a large power wheelchair or extra room for height/ weight?
• Do you prefer a rear-entry or a side-entry vehicle?
• Do you want a slide-out ramp or a fold-out ramp?
These details will make it easier for you to identify the functionality that you need in your WAV.
2. Check out the Features that Suit you
Now that you have identified your needs, it is time for you to explore the vehicles that have these features. The best place to start is with the lift options and vehicle accessibility available on the vehicles you identify. You have to compare the ease of access as well as how different lift options function to find the right solution for you.
It is important to thoroughly examine each feature while prioritising what suits you the most. An in-floor is of high priority based on whether it is the caregiver or the person with disabilities to be driving. Do not forget to check the hand controls and how you are able to operate them with ease.
3. Find a reliable WAV dealer
You need to find a reliable partner who will provide you with a quality Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle that is durable and safe. There are certain organisations such as PB Conversions that advocate for the quality and safety of disabled cars. Make sure you choose a dealer that is certified to make safe modifications of these vehicles.
4. Find out what it takes to maintain the vehicle
Before you buy the vehicle, make sure you are aware of how much it will cost you in the long run. This can include things such as:
• Insurance for the vehicle
• Fuel
• Cover for license, registration, and taxes
• Pay interest and finance charges
• Maintain and repair
These are the main points that will determine the real cost of your car.
5. Compare the offer with your budget
With the above in mind, you will be able to evaluate whether your budget will enable you to afford it. There are various models out there that you can choose from. They have different features that may serve you just fine. Just be sure to follow the checklist carefully so that you don’t miss some important aspects that will fail you in the future.
If you found this information useful then you should check out our other blogs. If you are looking for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle that suits your needs then feel free to contact us or call us on 01525 850588.
Recently had my fourth vehicle adapted by Paul At Pb Conversions.always does a first class job and with first class service & always easy to deal with. Thanks for the great service Paul from you and your crew over the years.
Kiran was very helpful today explaining some of the issues I had with my hoist, and how to avoid them from happening again.
Dealt with the adaptations for my son's new motability vehicle - very friendly, efficient and helpful. Really pleased.
Very helpful and knowledgeable engineer, fast and efficient service
Thank you so much for all your advice, help and very professional job on adapting our car. Without your advice I would never have known to apply for a grant. You were excellent, thank again.
Due to my husband's condition we need a car with adaptions, we were advised by his paraplegic group to visit and this place is the best. Felt so relaxed talking about what we needed, all the staff were so friendly and so well informed, going above and beyond, especially Paul Berridge. I fully recommend this business. Honest and reliable. Thank you.
Staff are super super friendly, helpful, extremely informative and really nothing Paul & Co can’t do to any vehicle. PERFECTION is their middle name! Thank you so much for your outstanding service to me over the years and I look forward to using your company all my driving life.
Excellent work done on our car and very professional company. Great customer service and prompt response to emails.
I am very pleased with the left foot accelerator adaption. The communication with the team was excellent
Our second time of utilising PB Conversions and still as impressed with their skills and assistance! They listen to your needs, their aim is to get you mobile and ensure you are happy and safe. Fully recommend
Very happy with my Adaptations best company I have used
I recently had an under ring accelerator and hand brake fitted to my car and I am extremely pleased with it. All of the staff I spoke to were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, explaining exactly how they worked. I would have no hesitation in recommending this company for mobility assistance
I’ve been using PB Conversions for over 30 years and cannot fault their care and attention to detail with every adaptation I’ve needed. And if something isn’t quite right they quickly sort it. Truly professional and innovative service every time
I have used PB on 2 occasions and 2 different cars. I have found their staff efficient, caring and most pleasant to deal with. Their work on my vehicles has been completed on schedule, flawlessly, with no issues arising after 2 + years use
Very good work and customer service
As always a professional and with care job
Good and prompt adaptions fitted. Support offered and flexible. All staff were helpful and communicated
If you’re looking for 5⭐️ customer service and quality workmanship look no further. I was kept in the picture all the way through the build with photos and telephone calls. A date was set for completion and they delivered on that exact day. It was refreshing to deal with such a professional company. The personal emails from your staff made it a pleasurable experience which is hard to find these day!
Really speedy and flexible response from PBC to an emergency situation requiring hand controls being fitted to a new vehicle. I much appreciated their support
Always excellent service from PB conversions. They had fantastic knowledge of the adaption options available and whether they would fit
Friendly, first class, prompt and efficient service at a very competitive price. Would recommend the company to all.
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If you are a disabled driver, or know a disabled driver in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire or Northamptonshire, please contact PB Conversions for a free no obligation quote to assess what products would benefit you.