The Complete Guide to Buying a Used Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
The Complete Guide to Buying a Used Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is a bigger decision than buying an ordinary used car. You're not just choosing an engine size and a colour — you're choosing a vehicle that needs to work safely and reliably for a wheelchair user, day in and day out. A used WAV can offer huge savings over a new one, but only if you know what to look for. This guide walks you through exactly that.
Why Buy a Used WAV?
New WAVs can cost significantly more than their used counterparts, often tens of thousands of pounds more, once you factor in the base vehicle and the wheelchair conversion itself. Buying used means:
- Lower upfront cost – conversions retain much of their value, but the overall price is far more accessible.
- Faster availability – no waiting months for a factory order and conversion slot.
- Proven reliability – a well-maintained used WAV with a clear history has already shown it can do the job.
The key word there is "well-maintained." A used WAV is only a good buy if it's been looked after and properly inspected before sale.
Setting Your Budget
Before you start browsing, it's worth thinking through your budget properly, including the costs beyond the purchase price itself:
- Purchase price or finance repayments – decide whether you're buying outright, or whether flexible finance suits your circumstances better.
- Insurance – WAV insurance needs to account for the conversion value, not just the base vehicle, so get a quote before committing to a specific model.
- Running costs – fuel type, servicing intervals, and typical parts availability can vary between conversions, so it's worth asking your dealer about ongoing costs for a specific vehicle.
- Part-exchange – if you already have a vehicle, whether a WAV or standard car, ask whether it can be taken in part-exchange to reduce your overall spend.
Having a clear budget in mind, including these extra factors, makes it much easier to compare vehicles fairly rather than being drawn purely by the headline purchase price.
Choosing the Right Type and Size of WAV
Before you get into the detail of individual vehicles, it helps to think about the type of WAV that actually suits your day-to-day needs:
Ramp Entry vs Lift Entry
Ramp-entry WAVs use a foldable ramp, manual or powered, to allow a wheelchair to roll into the cabin, and tend to be more affordable and widely available. Lift-entry WAVs use a powered platform to raise and lower the wheelchair user, and are often better suited to heavier powerchairs or mobility scooters, or for users who find ramps physically difficult to manage.
Side Entry vs Rear Entry
Side-entry WAVs allow loading from the kerb, which can be more convenient in tighter parking spaces or on busy streets, while rear-entry WAVs are often simpler in design and can suit a wider range of parking situations, particularly where reversing up to a kerb isn't practical.
Vehicle Size
Smaller WAVs, based on vehicles like the Fiat Doblo or Peugeot Rifter, suit individual users and shorter journeys, and are generally easier to park and manoeuvre. Larger WAVs, based on vehicles such as the Ford Tourneo Custom or Volkswagen Transporter, offer more space for families, additional passengers, or longer journeys, at the cost of being a little less nimble around town.
Thinking through these factors before you start viewing vehicles will help you narrow down the used stock that's actually relevant to your needs, rather than being swayed by whichever vehicle happens to be available first.
What to Check Before You Buy
1. The Conversion Company
Not all WAV conversions are equal. Established converters such as Allied Mobility, GM Coachwork, and Sirus Automotive have long track records and readily available parts. Ask which company carried out the conversion and, if possible, check for their branding or documentation in the vehicle.
2. Ramp or Lift Condition
Test the ramp or lift yourself. It should deploy and retract smoothly, without excessive noise, jerking, or resistance. Check the ramp surface for cracking, rust, or worn anti-slip coating, and make sure any electric or hydraulic lift mechanisms operate correctly on both the up and down cycle.
3. Floor and Flooring
Many WAVs have a lowered floor to improve headroom and reduce the ramp angle. Inspect this area closely for rust, water ingress, or damage, particularly around welds and floor seams, as this is a common wear point on older conversions.
4. Wheelchair Restraints and Tie-Downs
Check that all wheelchair restraint points, tie-down straps, and docking systems are present, undamaged, and functioning correctly. These are safety-critical, and worn or missing restraints should be a dealbreaker unless they can be replaced before handover.
5. Service History and MOT
As with any used vehicle, ask for a full service history and check the current MOT status. Beyond the standard mechanical checks, ask specifically whether the WAV conversion itself has ever been inspected or serviced separately from the base vehicle.
6. Mileage and Usage Type
A WAV that's spent its life doing short local trips for a single owner will usually have fared better than one used for high-mileage daily taxi or care-transport work. Ask about the vehicle's history and previous use.
Questions to Ask the Seller
- Has the vehicle ever been involved in an accident, and if so, was the conversion inspected afterwards?
- Is there a warranty included, and what does it cover?
- Has the vehicle had a full valet and safety check before being offered for sale?
- Can I test drive it, including loading and securing a wheelchair, before I commit?
If a seller is reluctant to answer any of these, or won't let you test the ramp or lift yourself, that's a red flag.
Why Buy From a Specialist Dealer Rather Than Privately
Buying privately can sometimes look cheaper on paper, but a specialist WAV dealer brings real advantages:
- Pre-delivery inspections carried out by people who understand WAV conversions specifically, not just general car mechanics.
- Warranty and aftercare, so you're covered if something goes wrong after purchase.
- Honest advice on which type of WAV — ramp or lift, side or rear entry — actually suits your needs, rather than just whichever vehicle happens to be for sale.
- Part-exchange and finance options, making the whole process simpler.
At FMC Cars, every used WAV we sell is sanitised, professionally valeted, and put through a comprehensive pre-delivery inspection before it reaches you. We include a free warranty and a free MOT with every purchase, and we're happy to answer every one of the questions above — and more — with no high-pressure sales tactics.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few avoidable mistakes come up again and again when people buy a used WAV:
- Not testing the ramp or lift in person. Photos and descriptions can't tell you how smoothly a mechanism actually operates. Always test it yourself before committing.
- Focusing only on the base vehicle's condition. A tidy exterior and low mileage mean little if the conversion itself, the floor, or the restraint systems are in poor condition.
- Skipping a proper test drive with a wheelchair. If at all possible, bring the wheelchair that will actually be used day to day, and load and secure it as part of your test drive, not just drive the vehicle empty.
- Not asking who carried out the conversion. Some smaller or less established converters can mean harder-to-source parts down the line. Established names are generally a safer bet.
- Ignoring the paperwork. Service history, conversion documentation, and warranty terms all matter as much as the vehicle itself. Don't be rushed into a decision without seeing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do WAV conversions typically last? A well-maintained conversion from an established converter can last well beyond a decade, provided the ramp or lift mechanism, restraints, and flooring are properly serviced and inspected over time.
Should I buy a WAV with a lower mileage but an older conversion, or a newer conversion with higher mileage? This depends on your priorities, but the condition and history of the conversion itself often matter more than mileage alone. A well-documented, well-maintained conversion with moderate mileage is usually a safer choice than an older, poorly documented one with very low mileage.
Can I get a used WAV serviced at any garage? The base vehicle can generally be serviced anywhere suitably qualified, but the conversion itself — the ramp, lift, and restraint systems — is best checked by someone familiar with WAV conversions specifically, to make sure nothing safety-critical is overlooked.
Is it worth buying a WAV without a warranty? Generally not. A warranty gives you protection if a fault appears shortly after purchase, and its absence should be factored into your decision, or negotiated into the price.
Buying Nationwide, Delivered to Your Door
We're based in Kidderminster, but we regularly help customers across the whole of the UK. We offer free delivery up to 200 miles, with nationwide delivery available beyond that, so wherever you're based, distance shouldn't stop you finding the right vehicle.
Ready to Find Your Next WAV?
Whether you know exactly what you're looking for or you'd like some honest, no-pressure guidance on the right type of vehicle for your needs, our team is here to help. Browse our current stock or get in touch with us today to arrange a test drive and see for yourself why customers across the UK trust FMC Cars for their wheelchair accessible vehicle.