Wheelchair accessible vehicles

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

My family would like to buy a WAV for my dad who had a leg amputated a couple of months ago. Due to him being 87 I don’t think a swivel seat would work, so I’d like to get some tips please on what to look out for when buying a WAV. It won’t get a huge amount of use so we’re looking to pay perhaps £6-7k for one which gets you something like a Kangoo or Caddy - does make and model matter, and a what about any different conversion types?

[Scootersp]

Only first hand experience I have is the older Sharan (Brotherwood conversion) type.

I did look at Fiat Multipla's at one point, the potential advantage here being rear loading but you can go right up front and ride shotgun so to speak.
With some of the the conversions the wheel chair is right at the back, so not very inclusive/social, others come up the middle of the rear seats (some of these have a winch system which can help with loading).

I think it's very much a case of looking to see if they fit your/his specific needs, externally they are all a bit MPV ugly! so just buy on practicality first?

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

Thanks for the post

[AlwynMike]

Caddy's hold thier price well, so a £7k one will be old and fery leggy. But they are the best of the smaller ones. 1.6 diesels do blow injectors, but an older one has probably had them replaced with later type already. You can get 5 plus a chair in...they aren't small!
Fiat Doblo is a little smaller, often three plus chair, so chair sits next to single rear seat. Partner, Kangoo, Berlingo will tumble the rear seat to get the chair in, so 2 plus chair. All except Caddy are van like and look/feel cheap. Some have an electric winch which can be handy. Caddy and Doblo can have ramps that fold flat when not in use, so it's at normal floor level. Useful for tip runs etc! Don't expect economy as they add a lot of weight. Doblo is hopelessly overheated, so up to 50mph, forget 5th and 6th!
I've had Berlingo, Partner, Doblo and Caddy. Caddy is the best, followed by Doblo.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

Thanks for all of that, that’s great detail. Have you ever looked at the Fiat Qubo? There’s one on eBay which looks ideal. At the moment there’s also a Doblo and a Berlingo on there, all at the same price and around the same age etc.

[Decky_Q]

McElmeel do very tidy rear loading conversions, the ramp folds up in the middle of the bumper and the panel looks like a normal bumper.

Try to get the approval cert as some insurers want to get a copy and it will save you going back to the company that converted it originally to get it.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

Thank you for that