Why Wheelchair Users Choose to Buy Their Own WAV
For many wheelchair users and their families, having access to suitable transport can make a huge difference to everyday life. While wheelchair-accessible taxis can provide an important service, finding one when you need it is not always straightforward.
We often hear from customers who have found it difficult to book a suitable wheelchair-accessible taxi, particularly when they need to travel at a specific time or want to make regular journeys. For some, this is one of the reasons they decide that buying their own wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is the better option.
Having your own WAV means you can travel when you want, without having to arrange suitable transport for every journey. It can make trips to appointments, shopping, visiting friends and family or simply getting out and about much easier to organise.
At Michael Harraway Cars, we specialise in used wheelchair accessible vehicles and help customers choose a WAV based on how they actually intend to use it.
The difficulty of relying on wheelchair-accessible taxis
Accessible taxis can be extremely useful, but availability can vary considerably depending on where you live and when you need to travel.
A journey that sounds simple can sometimes involve booking well in advance, waiting for a suitable vehicle to become available or changing your plans around the transport that is available.
For someone who uses a wheelchair every day, this can become frustrating. You may not want to plan every outing around whether an accessible taxi is available.
This is something we hear from customers when they come to look at our WAVs. They have reached the point where they would rather have their own vehicle available whenever they need it.
The freedom of having your own WAV
One of the biggest advantages of owning a WAV is the freedom it gives you.
Instead of arranging an accessible taxi every time you need to go somewhere, you have your own vehicle ready to use.
You can decide when you want to leave, where you want to go and how long you want to stay. There is no need to wait for a taxi to arrive or worry about whether a suitable accessible vehicle will be available for your return journey.
For families, owning a WAV can also make everyday life easier. School runs, shopping trips, family days out and visits to friends or relatives can all be planned around your own schedule.
It also means that you can choose a vehicle that suits your particular wheelchair and your own requirements, rather than relying on whatever accessible vehicle happens to be available.
Questions to ask yourself before buying a WAV
Buying a WAV is a significant decision, so it is worth thinking carefully about what you actually need from the vehicle.
Will my wheelchair fit comfortably?
This should be one of the first things you consider.
Wheelchairs come in many different shapes and sizes, and the available space can vary considerably between WAV conversions.
Measure your wheelchair with you sitting in it and consider the overall length, width and height. You should also think about how much room you need around the wheelchair once you are inside the vehicle.
The dimensions of the wheelchair area are important, but they are only part of the picture. You need to feel comfortable getting into the vehicle and travelling in it as well.
Always check your wheelchair or mobility scooter measurements against the vehicle before buying.
How will I get into the vehicle?
Different WAVs have different access arrangements.
Some use a rear ramp, while others have different conversion layouts. Consider how easy the ramp is for the person using the vehicle and whether you will be able to manage it comfortably.
It is also worth looking at the entry height and the amount of space available once inside the vehicle.
If possible, sit in the vehicle in your own wheelchair before making a decision. This gives you a much better idea of whether the vehicle is right for you than simply looking at photographs or dimensions on a screen.
How many people need to travel?
Think about everyone who will regularly use the vehicle.
A WAV might need to accommodate the wheelchair user, a driver and other passengers. The number of available seats can vary depending on the vehicle and conversion.
If you regularly travel with family members or a carer, make sure the vehicle provides enough seating for everyone.
This is one reason why it is important to consider how you will actually use the vehicle rather than simply choosing a particular make or model.
Do you also use a mobility scooter?
If you sometimes use a mobility scooter instead of your wheelchair, make sure you consider this when choosing a WAV.
Mobility scooters can vary considerably in size, so check the available space and access arrangements before buying. Take the measurements of your mobility scooter with you when viewing a WAV so you can check that it can be accommodated comfortably.
Think about how you will use your WAV
There is no single WAV that is right for everyone.
A vehicle that is ideal for one wheelchair user may not be suitable for another. Think about the journeys you make most often and who normally travels with you.
Do you mainly make short local journeys, or do you regularly travel longer distances?
Do you need additional passenger seats?
Will you use the vehicle every day, or mainly for appointments and days out?
Do you need room for shopping, luggage or mobility equipment?
Answering these questions can help narrow down the type and size of WAV that will work best for you.
How many people need to travel?
Think about everyone who will regularly use the vehicle.
A WAV might need to accommodate the wheelchair user, a driver and additional passengers. The number of available seats can vary depending on the vehicle and conversion.
If you regularly travel with family members or a carer, make sure the vehicle provides enough seating for everyone.
This is one reason why it is important to consider how you will actually use the vehicle rather than simply choosing a particular make or model.
Check the conversion as well as the vehicle
When buying a used WAV, it is important to look beyond the make, model and mileage of the vehicle.
The wheelchair conversion is just as important.
Check the condition of the ramp, wheelchair restraints, winch if fitted, lowered floor and other conversion equipment. Make sure everything operates correctly and that the wheelchair area is suitable for your requirements.
It is also worth finding out who carried out the conversion and looking at the vehicle’s history.
A good quality WAV is more than just an ordinary car or van with a ramp fitted. The conversion needs to work properly and provide a safe and practical way of travelling.
Why buying a used WAV can make sense
Buying a used WAV can provide a more affordable way of having your own accessible transport.
There is also a much wider choice of vehicles and conversions available, allowing you to compare different layouts and find one that suits your requirements.
However, buying the right WAV is more important than simply finding the cheapest one available.
The vehicle needs to be suitable for the wheelchair user, the other passengers and the journeys it will be used for. Taking the time to look at the measurements, conversion, condition and history can help you make a much more informed decision.
We can help you choose the right WAV
At Michael Harraway Cars, we understand that buying a WAV is different from buying an ordinary used car.
You need to consider the wheelchair, the conversion and how the vehicle will work for you and your family.
We stock a range of quality used wheelchair accessible vehicles and can talk through the differences between the vehicles we have available. If you are unsure what type of WAV would suit your requirements, we are happy to discuss your needs and help you understand what to look for.
You can view our current used wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale or contact us to arrange a viewing.
If you are travelling a long way to see a vehicle, let us know your wheelchair or mobility scooter measurements beforehand. We can help you check the available dimensions before you make the journey.
Having your own accessible transport
For many people, buying a WAV is about more than simply replacing a car.
It can mean having the freedom to make your own plans and knowing that suitable transport is available whenever you need it.
If you have found it increasingly difficult to rely on wheelchair-accessible taxis, owning your own WAV could be worth considering.
The key is to find a vehicle that genuinely suits your needs. Take your time, check the measurements and make sure you are comfortable with the way the wheelchair conversion works before making your decision.
At Michael Harraway Cars, that’s exactly what we aim to help our customers do.