Questions people ask before buying a used WAV
1. What is a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
A wheelchair accessible vehicle, or WAV, is a car or van that has been converted so a person can travel in it while seated in their wheelchair. The conversion usually includes a lowered floor or raised roof, a ramp or a lift at the rear or side, and restraints that anchor the wheelchair and the person to the vehicle. Most of the WAVs we sell are converted Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Tourneo Connect, Peugeot Rifter and Partner, and Citroën Berlingo models with a lowered floor and a rear ramp. See our current used wheelchair accessible vehicles.
2. What should I look for when buying a used WAV?
Start with fit: your wheelchair’s length, width and height with you in it, against the vehicle’s ramp width, door height and internal headroom. Then think about who else travels with you and where they sit. Then the conversion itself: who did it, the condition of the ramp, the restraint system and whether the winch, if there is one, works. Finally the vehicle: service history, MOT, an HPI check and an independent inspection. If you send us your chair’s measurements we will check them against any vehicle in our stock before you travel to see it.
3. Can you deliver WAVs anywhere in the UK?
Yes. We deliver to any address in mainland UK — England, Scotland and Wales — for £99. Delivery to Ireland is quoted separately; ask us for a price. You are also welcome to view a vehicle in person at our premises in Weeton, near Blackpool, by appointment, Monday to Saturday.
4. Do used WAVs come with a warranty?
Every WAV we sell comes with a 12-month RAC warranty and 12 months of RAC Home Recovery breakdown cover. It also comes with a fresh 12-month MOT, a 150-point independent health check and an HPI check, so you are not relying on the warranty alone. See everything that is included with our vehicles.
5. Can I part-exchange my current vehicle?
Yes, including if your current vehicle is a WAV. Send us the registration, mileage and a few photos, tell us about the conversion, and we will give you a figure. It can be used as your deposit if you are buying on finance.
6. What size WAV do I need?
It depends on three things: the size of your wheelchair with you in it, how many other people travel with you, and how much headroom you need to be comfortable. A compact WAV such as a Citroën Berlingo or Peugeot Partner suits a smaller chair with passengers. A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi or Ford Grand Tourneo Connect gives more length and more seats. A larger powerchair, a tall user or a family of five usually needs the longer vehicle. The quickest way to be sure is to send us your wheelchair’s measurements and we will tell you which vehicles in stock will work. If you want a gauge of which WAV is best for you, try our WAV sizing calculator. Please note this is a gauge only. To be sure, contact us for the vehicle’s measurements, as each converter’s adjustments to the vehicle can be different.
7. Can I finance a used WAV?
Yes. We offer finance on all of our vehicles through Octane Finance. You can read more about finance on our website, and get a finance quote through the link on any of our vehicle pages.