How to Choose a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)

With the exception of a new home, a car is probably one of the largest purchases you will make, so it is essential you choose correctly and that you find a car that meets your particular requirements. Matching the car to your specific needs will ensure you have many miles of happy, safe and independent travel.

If this is your first wheelchair adapted car, there are a few essentials to consider that are probably more important than colour, make and model!. Our experienced staff at our Manchester showroom will be able to help you choose the most appropriate car for your needs, but to help you narrow down your choices before paying us a visit or asking us to deliver a car to your home for a test drive, here are the most important things to consider.

Entry and Exit
To make the car a pleasure to use, entry and exit to the car must be quick and effortless. Also consider, are you using the car alone or do you have someone who will be helping you enter and exit. If you are using the car alone, you will be looking for automatic opening tailgate and remote control ramp. If you don’t have an electric wheelchair, you may need a winch to pull you into the drivers position.

Interior
Once inside you and your wheelchair must be securely anchored into position for your safety.
If you do not drive, you have the choice of being a passenger in the front or rear. If you are travelling on a regular basis, it will probably suit you more to be in the front with the driver, rather than sitting at the back of the car.

Headroom
Headroom is the distance between the floor and the roof, measured within the vehicle at a point where the wheelchair is positioned for travelling. This is a major consideration to ensure you have sufficient headroom whist travelling in your chair.

Additional Space
Do you need additional space in the car for other items, e.g. shopping, pushchairs or work related items. If so you will need to ensure that there is some storage space that does not hinder your entry and exit.

A wheelchair adapted vehicle provides users with a high level of freedom and independence and at Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles we will do our very best to ensure your requirements are met.

To view our current range of cars, please see our main website, www.wheelchairaccessiblevehicles.co

You can also call us on 0161 793 5934 for a no pressure relaxed chat and remember, we can drive any car to your home in the UK for you to try out in your own surroundings.