Find a WAV

There are quite a few places to look for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, WAVs or WAV conversions. Autotrader lists them, Preloved, eBay and a few others. The problem is not finding them but finding the right one for your circumstances.

That is why we created the Find a WAV page because you would be very fortunate if you found the most suitable one for your needs by luck alone.

We use our experience and knowledge to search the whole market to create a shortlist for you, then you will need advice.

The short answer is the one that suits you best, that needs a good quality whole of independent market advice. That is what we are here for. There is no obligation, we just know how hard it is to find a WAV that works well for people.

It’s hard to answer this question without sounding flippant or rude because there is no one answer. Get advice, it’s a must because it’s the best WAV for your needs that is the best WAV for you. But please check our view on the best WAV for 2024 here.

The simple answer is you can’t really. Some would argue this point but what we have learned is much listening, learning and consideration all play a part in using our experience and knowledge of the marketplace.

You can say the wheelchair user in your life will fit in, and you can agree that you can operate the wheelchair access vehicle in question but how will you know if a wheelchair user is comfy, does their eye line allow them to see properly, do you need to access the wheelchair user in transit, is the suspension right for the wheelchair user.

What’s the best layout, size and so on, this is where we come in with our Find a WAV, WAV search. We ask the timeless questions which lead us to the next step, you can be assured you’re in the right place when you engage with us.

A Motability Scheme WAV is a converted vehicle that allows a wheelchair user to enter and exit the vehicle without leaving their wheelchair. It runs for a 5-year lease period and includes insurance, servicing, warranty problems as well a full rescue package within strict criteria.

We will advise, help, support and direct you towards the best WAV for your needs should we discover you are eligible for the Motability Scheme.

To qualify for the Motability Scheme you must be in receipt of one of the following benefits which you will pay away direct to the Motability Scheme should you qualify and take a lease-up.

You are also likely to need to find an Advance Payment (AP) that will be required due to the cost of producing WAV conversions, these will vary in amounts and grants from Motability are available for these should you qualify:

• PIP – Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment
• DLA – Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• ADP – Advanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment
• CDP – Higher Rate of Mobility Component of Child’s Disability Payment
• WPMS – War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

A wheelchair user can be the driver and internally transfer to the driver seat using a 6-way seat, the passenger can also do the same. A wheelchair user can be in the front passenger position, in the middle of the WAV converted vehicle or in the rear.

Depending on vehicle size, headroom and space available plus seats required and where a wheelchair needs or wants to affect many aspects of WAV vehicles. Let us help you find the best one for your needs with Find a WAV, just a few simple questions give us a massive head start for you.

There are two ways generally accepted as entry methods to a WAV vehicle, lift and ramp. Depending on the vehicle and whether it allows for it a lift can be under the floor at the rear or side or internally at the rear. Internal side lifts are generally reserved for larger vehicles and are rare to find.

Ramps can be at the rear or side of a vehicle depending again on whether the vehicle in question can accommodate them.

You can buy a new WAV from the converters should you wish to privately purchase. We will explore this with you as our advice includes how you should acquire a WAV vehicle.

We deal in new, used and Motability WAVs and will advise you accordingly of stock, and availability across the industry we try and ensure we have available stock of the popular WAVs such as the New Peugeot Rifter, New Ford Tourneo Custom and other preferred models.

You will need to contact Southern Mobility Vehicles on 0800 008 7800 or use our Find a WAV search form above which asks the simple key questions to find out your requirements.

If you want to be certain of the perfect WAV for you and your needs, you need to speak to the only mobility company in the UK that gives independent advice on all areas of vehicles and mobility.