Used WAV Cars for Sale UK Peugeot Partner Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
If you’re looking for a used Peugeot Partner wheelchair accessible vehicle, you’ll find a wide range of different conversions and seating layouts available.
The Peugeot Partner has been one of the most popular small wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for many years. Its combination of compact dimensions, good visibility and practical interior space makes it a popular choice for wheelchair users, families and carers.
However, not every Peugeot Partner WAV is the same. Different conversions offer different seating arrangements, wheelchair space and features, so it is important to understand what you are looking at before buying.
In this guide, we’ll look at the different Peugeot Partner wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions, the seating layouts available and some of the things you should consider when buying a used Partner WAV.
Why is the Peugeot Partner so popular as a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
The Peugeot Partner works particularly well as a WAV because it provides useful interior space without being a particularly large vehicle.
Its relatively compact dimensions make it easier to drive and park than many larger wheelchair accessible vans, while the upright driving position gives the driver good visibility.
For many wheelchair users and their families, the Partner also feels more like a normal car than a large commercial vehicle.
At the rear, the vehicle is converted to allow a wheelchair user to enter via a fold down ramp and remain in their wheelchair while travelling.
How is a Peugeot Partner converted into a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
A Peugeot Partner is converted into a wheelchair accessible vehicle by modifying the rear of the vehicle to create a suitable entrance and wheelchair area.
The rear floor is lowered to provide additional headroom, with a folding ramp fitted at the rear of the vehicle to allow a wheelchair to enter the vehicle. The wheelchair area is then equipped with a four-point restraint system, with two straps securing the front of the wheelchair and two at the rear. A separate seat belt is provided for the wheelchair passenger.
Depending on the conversion and seating layout, the original rear seats may be modified, repositioned or replaced to create the required wheelchair space. Some conversions are designed to provide dedicated wheelchair space, while others allow the vehicle to retain more of its conventional seating.
The exact conversion can vary depending on the age of the Peugeot Partner, the company that carried out the conversion and the particular layout. This is why two Partner WAVs can look similar but have quite different amounts of wheelchair space and different seating arrangements.
Peugeot Partner WAV seating configurations
One of the advantages of the Peugeot Partner is the variety of wheelchair accessible layouts available.
Depending on the conversion, you may find a used Peugeot Partner WAV with three, four or five seats as well as space for a wheelchair passenger.
The right layout will depend largely on how you intend to use the vehicle.
5 Seats or 3 seats plus wheelchair Passenger
This is an extremely popular layout because it gives you the flexibility of a normal five-seat vehicle while also allowing it to carry a wheelchair passenger when required.
The rear seats can be tipped forward to create a wheelchair space, with the wheelchair positioned alongside the remaining rear seat. This means the vehicle can be used as a conventional five-seater when the wheelchair is not being carried, but can be quickly adapted when needed. The rear seats can also be removed completely if more space is required.
This type of conversion can be particularly useful for families who do not need the wheelchair space on every journey. However, it is important to remember that the wheelchair space is created by folding the seats forward, so the available space can vary depending on the particular conversion and the size of the wheelchair.
If the wheelchair user will be travelling in the vehicle on most journeys, it is worth considering whether a simpler three-seat or four-seat conversion would provide more dedicated wheelchair space. The best layout really depends on how the vehicle will be used.
3 Seats plus Wheelchair Passenger.
This conversion consists of two seats in the front and a single seat at the rear. Although this type of configuration does not offer the same amount of flexibility as the five-seat version listed above. However, it does have its advantages that may be beneficial to some people. Firstly, because there is no rear seat mechanism to secure the additional rear seats there is greater length available for the wheelchair. Secondly three seat models are often cheaper than the equivalent five seat versions, what is the point of paying for some seats if you are never going to use them.
Four seats plus wheelchair.
A four-seat arrangement provides two front seats and two rear passenger seats, with the wheelchair passenger positioned between the rear seats. This allows the vehicle to carry up to five people in total when the wheelchair passenger is included.
The extra rear seat does, however, reduce the width available for the wheelchair. This means that some larger wheelchairs may not fit between the rear seats, so it is important to check the available width before buying.
Peugeot Partner Horizon wheelchair accessible vehicles
When looking for a used Peugeot Partner wheelchair accessible vehicle, you may come across the name Horizon.
This can sometimes be confusing because Horizon isn’t a separate Peugeot model.
Horizon is the name used by Allied Vehicles for its range of wheelchair accessible conversions. The underlying vehicle is still a Peugeot Partner, but it has been professionally converted to provide wheelchair access.
You may therefore see vehicles described as a Peugeot Partner, Peugeot Partner Tepee, Peugeot Partner Horizon or simply Peugeot Horizon.
The important thing when buying a used WAV is to look beyond the name and check the actual conversion and layout fitted to the vehicle.
The wheelchair ramp
The design of the wheelchair ramp is another important consideration when looking at a used Peugeot Partner WAV.
Most Peugeot Partners converted by Allied Vehicles are fitted with their FlexiFold ramp. This fold-flat design has a relatively low, gentle gradient which can make it easier to get the wheelchair passenger into the vehicle.
One of the main advantages of the FlexiFold ramp is that it can be folded flat into the vehicle when it is not being used. This leaves a useful, relatively flat load area rather than having a ramp standing upright at the rear of the vehicle.
The shorter design of the ramp can also be useful when parking, as it requires less space behind the vehicle when it is being lowered or folded out. This can make a difference when using the WAV on a driveway or in a car park where space behind the vehicle is limited.
Can a Peugeot Partner WAV carry a mobility scooter?
All Peugeot Partner WAVs can be used to carry a mobility scooter, but whether a particular scooter will fit depends on its size.
Most 4mph mobility scooters will fit comfortably within the available space. Larger 8mph scooters can be more difficult, particularly where the scooter is wider, longer or taller than a typical mobility scooter.
The scooter also needs to be able to negotiate the ramp and enter the vehicle safely before there is enough space inside to position it correctly.
If you are buying a Peugeot Partner WAV specifically to carry a mobility scooter, it is important to check the size of your scooter against the actual vehicle you are considering. Different conversions can have slightly different available space, so measuring the scooter before buying is always worthwhile.
Always check your mobility scooter measurements before purchase.
What should you check when buying a used Peugeot Partner WAV?
Buying a used wheelchair accessible vehicle is slightly different from buying an ordinary used car.
You need to consider both the condition of the base vehicle and the condition of the wheelchair conversion.
Check the wheelchair ramp
Make sure the ramp operates correctly and doesn’t have any obvious damage, excessive wear or signs of poor repairs.
If it is a folding ramp, check that it folds and stores correctly.
Check the wheelchair restraints
The wheelchair restraint system is an important part of the conversion.
Check that all four straps are present, operate correctly and are in good condition.
Also check the passenger seat belt provided for the wheelchair position.
Check the lowered floor
Look around the lowered floor area for signs of damage, corrosion, poor repairs or water ingress.
A professionally converted WAV should have a properly finished conversion rather than looking as though the floor has simply been modified afterwards.
Check the seating arrangement
Think carefully about how many people you actually need to carry.
A five-seat WAV might sound like the obvious choice, but if you normally travel with the wheelchair user and one other person, a three-seat conversion may provide everything you need.
On the other hand, if you regularly need to carry several passengers, a more flexible seating arrangement could be worth considering.
Check the available wheelchair/mobility scooter space
This is one of the most important checks.
Don’t rely solely on a description saying that a vehicle is suitable for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Wheelchairs and scooters come in many different sizes.
Measure your wheelchair or mobility scooter and compare those measurements with the available space in the particular WAV.
It is also worth considering the height of the wheelchair user when seated, as headroom can be just as important as the floor length and width.
Always check your wheelchair or mobility scooter measurements before purchase.
Is a Peugeot Partner WAV right for you?
The Peugeot Partner can be a practical choice if you want a relatively compact wheelchair accessible vehicle without moving into a larger van-based WAV.
It can be particularly suitable if:
- You want a WAV that remains relatively easy to drive and park.
- The wheelchair user will normally remain in their wheelchair while travelling.
- You don’t need a large amount of luggage space around the wheelchair.
- You want a choice of different seating configurations.
- You need the flexibility to carry a mobility scooter, subject to the particular conversion and scooter dimensions.
The most important question isn’t necessarily which Partner is the newest or has the most seats.
It’s how you intend to use the vehicle.
Will the wheelchair user remain in their wheelchair? How many other people need to travel? Will you carry a mobility scooter? How much luggage do you normally take?
Answering these questions will help you work out which conversion and seating layout is most suitable.
Where can I buy a used Peugeot Partner wheelchair accessible vehicle?
There are many different used Peugeot Partner WAVs available, but the condition and layout of the wheelchair conversion are just as important as the condition of the base vehicle.
At Michael Harraway Cars, we specialise in used wheelchair accessible vehicles and have been selling WAVs for many years.
We are based in Weston-super-Mare, close to Junction 21 of the M5, making us convenient for customers travelling from Bristol, Somerset, Devon, South Wales and the wider South West.
We are happy to talk through the different Peugeot Partner WAV layouts and help you understand which type is likely to suit your requirements.
There is no pressure to buy and all viewings are by appointment.
You can view our current stock of used wheelchair accessible vehicles on our website, or call us on 01934 820077 if you are looking for a particular type of Peugeot Partner WAV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Peugeot Partner a good wheelchair accessible vehicle?
The Peugeot Partner is popular as a WAV because it combines relatively compact dimensions with useful interior space and a choice of wheelchair accessible layouts.
Can a wheelchair user stay in their wheelchair in a Peugeot Partner WAV?
Yes. A properly converted Partner WAV is designed to allow the wheelchair passenger to remain in their wheelchair while travelling. The wheelchair is secured using a four-point restraint system and the passenger uses a dedicated seat belt.
How many seats does a Peugeot Partner WAV have?
This depends on the conversion. Used Partner WAVs can be found with different layouts, including three seats plus a wheelchair passenger, four seats plus a wheelchair passenger and flexible five-seat configurations.
Can a Peugeot Partner WAV carry a mobility scooter?
Yes. Peugeot Partner WAVs can carry mobility scooters, but whether a particular scooter will fit depends on its size. Most 4mph mobility scooters will fit, while some larger 8mph scooters can be more difficult due to their greater width, length or height.
If you are buying a Partner WAV specifically to carry a mobility scooter, check the measurements of your scooter against the available space in the vehicle before buying.
What is a Peugeot Partner Horizon?
Horizon is the name used by Allied Vehicles for its wheelchair accessible conversion of vehicles such as the Peugeot Partner. A Partner Horizon is therefore a converted Peugeot Partner rather than a separate Peugeot model.
Should I choose a three-seat or five-seat Partner WAV?
It depends on how you intend to use the vehicle. If you rarely need more than two other passengers, a three-seat conversion may be all you need. If you regularly need additional seating, a flexible five-seat conversion may be more suitable.
Do all Peugeot Partner WAVs have the same wheelchair space?
No. Different conversions and seating arrangements can have different amounts of usable space. Always check the measurements of the particular vehicle and compare them with your wheelchair or mobility scooter before buying.