Think carefully about what you need from your wheelchair accessible vehicle.
The wrong WAV could be worse than useless and an expensive mistake.
You can buy a new WAV directly from a WAV converter, who will adapt a vehicle with the assistive technology you require.
Speak to more than one converter and ask them to show you suitable vehicles.
Some converters and some other suppliers sell second-hand WAVs which means:
Anything you buy second-hand may be affected by safety and reliability issues.
The seller may have had an inspection carried out and/or offer a warranty. If not, you may want to
think about carrying out your own inspection.
There are also companies that offer a WAV rental service:
It’s essential that you try out any WAV that you’re thinking about buying. It’s also a good idea to try
more than one, ideally from more than one converter. Converters can bring a vehicle to your home
for a demonstration. You are under no obligation to buy.
The converter’s sales staff will let you try out anything you need.
It’s important that you understand how everything works and check you can do it yourself. Insist
that they let you operate the ramp, tie-downs and restraints on your own.
If you need a heavily adapted or specially customised vehicle, it may not be possible to try some
features.
However, ask to try and view a similar vehicle to test the off-the-peg equipment and assess it for
comfort.
Simple passenger WAVs are where the passenger travels in the back.
Other types of WAVs include:
Different suppliers offer different levels of service and:
Read more about your consumer rights
Suppliers may not all provide other services to the same extent. Ask whether they can carry out a
full assessment and what guarantees or maintenance plans they offer.
Members of the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters’ Association (WAVCA) commit to a
customer service code.
It’s the supplier’s responsibility to provide you with a safe and legal vehicle, but you need to make
sure they’re taking active steps to meet this responsibility. Ask them for an assessment of
your needs and that they can provide all the documentation you’ll need.
Read more about WAVs regulations and standards.
Different suppliers have different quality standards. Use your demonstration as an opportunity to
judge the vehicle:
If you need specialised equipment, such as specialised adaptations, choose a supplier that is able
to fit these as well. Often this will be a specialist adaptation company, rather than just simply a WAV
converter.
Published: 9th March 2020
Source: RiDC