Why should I use Fleximobility?
Our mobility consultants know a huge amount about wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). Based on first-hand experience of helping thousands of people get and stay mobile since way back in the 1980s.
We are impartial – we are not tied in with any particular manufacturer or converter or dealer. This means we are not pushing any particular product at you.
We concentrate on what you need – not what we need to sell. You will find the customer experience is not quite what you might expect from a car dealer – in a good way!
We will concentrate on the needs and requirements of the wheelchair user first and foremost to ensure their safety & comfort in the vehicle. Then we will look at the needs of the carer or driver to make sure they can operate the systems safely and then the needs of your other passengers and the stowage of equipment.
We give you a choice of buying, hiring or leasing, and it doesn’t matter to us which you choose. You choose whichever suits your situation best at the time. And if you decide you’d like to buy the car you’re hiring, we can arrange that too.
We will never let you have a vehicle which is not right for you. You might like the look of a vehicle and be happy to proceed with it, but if it is not the most suitable for your needs, we will tell you.
We can take any car in part-exchange. This makes it easy for you to change to the WAV you need.
What is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is a vehicle that has been permanently adapted to carry a wheelchair user travelling in their own wheelchair. This type of car is known as a ‘WAV’ for short.
A WAV can also be known as a mobility car, mobility van, wheelchair car, disabled car, disabled van, disability car, wheelchair access car or paravan.
There are 2 types of WAVs:
Assisted WAVs are for wheelchair-using passengers, where the driver or carer assists the wheelchair user into the car, usually up a short ramp or on a tail-lift.
Unassisted WAVs are usually ‘drive-from wheelchair’ vehicles. The wheelchair user can open up the vehicle with a remote control, access independently, lock their chair into position and drive with assisted controls.
How do I choose the best Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for my needs?
The best wheelchair accessible vehicle is the one which meets all your needs and in which you can travel in safety and comfort.
However new WAV pricing goes from £20,000 to £150,000 depending on model, specification of the base vehicle and extent of the conversion. That’s why we are often promoting a good used WAV as a cost-effective solution!
Speak to an experienced WAV consultant – they will be able to discuss your wants and needs, and help you to decide which adapted model would best suit your overall requirements. This a practical purchase and you may need to compromise on some of the ‘wants’ to make sure your requirements are met.
Before you decide, you should always see and try it. Book a demonstration or maybe even hire one for a couple of days to put it through its paces in your home environment.
Beware that WAVs are now being sold by ordinary car dealers many of whom know little or nothing about the specification, conversion and safety issues.
How do I get a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
There are many ways to for you to get the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle you need.
You can buy one outright, either new or used; or, if you qualify, you can use the Motability Contract Hire scheme to lease a WAV for a 5 year period, with an Advance Payment payable at the start of the agreement.
Think about your own circumstances and what might suit you best.
Are you looking for a long-term solution, or are you unsure how long you might need a WAV?
Do you prefer ownership, or might you prefer a hire or lease with all servicing, MOT, taxing & recovery looked after by someone else?
Can I hire a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
Yes, through FlexiHire you can hire a WAV from one day to as long as you like.
Do also think about our special FlexiLease scheme though, as you only need to use the car for the equivalent of 6 days a month to make it cheaper to lease than rent. Unlike many leasing schemes there a no long lease commitments or punitive return costs.
Ask your Fleximobility Mobility Consultant about making this work for you.
You seem to be a long way from me. How does that work?
Don’t worry – It doesn’t matter how close or far away you are. We operate right across the UK.
We will talk to you initially over the phone and get to know as much about you as possible, in order to give you the very best advice.
When you talk to your Fleximobility Mobility Consultant it is useful to have handy basic information such as the make and model of your wheelchair and your seated height in your chair.
Also have a think about how many other people you want to travel in the car with you and if you need space for an extra wheelchair or other bulky mobility equipment.
Once we have used our in-depth knowledge to define which vehicle will suit you best, we will arrange for you to see and try one at home or, if you prefer at our premises by appointment.
If you need something we can’t offer, we will point you in the right direction.
How are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles made?
All WAVs start life by rolling off the main manufacturer’s (Ford, Volkswagen, Peugeot etc) production line as a completed vehicle ready to go to a dealer showroom. Before registration, these then go to a specialist WAV conversion company to have the access and interior dimensions improved for the needs of a wheelchair user travelling in their own chair.
To achieve this the converter may need to remove a section of the original floor and replace it with new structure and flooring, and replace key components such as the exhaust system, fuel tank and rear seating.
A wheelchair securing system and seat-belt for the wheelchair user(s) will also be fitted. Access will be via a short ramp or a tail-lift.
The completed WAV will then need to undergo re-testing to become a legal WAV on the road. It is not generally cost-effective to make a completely customised WAV.
Are converted WAVs, MPVs and minibuses safe for me to travel in?
Yes. They will be as safe as any other car on the road as long as they have been converted by a reputable company who has had their designs and conversions tested.
The WAV conversion should have been carried out by a member of the trade association, WAVCA, who operate a benchmark standard scheme called PAS 2012. This is accredited by the VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency).
The WAV will also have been tested, either to Individual Vehicle Approval which is a visual inspection plus test reports, National Small Series Type Approval, which is a UK type approval or a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.
All of these schemes include the requirement to use tested wheelchair tie-down and wheelchair occupant restraint systems, and have tested mounting positions on the vehicle for the component parts. They are tested to various weight limitations.
If you are buying a used WAV make sure the seller can give you information on who the converter was. If they don’t have the information, don’t buy the car.
You may need specialist spare parts in future and need to know how to access these.
Do I have to pay VAT on a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
New WAVs which have been permanently adapted for the needs of a disabled person qualify for VAT Relief in most circumstances. However, you can only claim for one vehicle every three years.
WAV pricing is usually for the whole vehicle, car and conversion. The WAV converter will usually have taken into account any discounts they get from the manufacturer and passed these on to you. The WAV is invoiced as a completed WAV.
How do I insure a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
You can insure a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle through any of the major insurance companies, however you need to be careful that they are actually insuring the vehicle as a WAV and not just as the base vehicle before conversion.
The outcome of this might be that their valuation in a write-off situation is not what you would expect as as they have not taken the conversion into account.
There are several specialist companies who know all about WAVs and value and insure them properly. They are usually also helpful with insuring a list of drivers if you have a rota of people you need to drive you. Give us a call and we will recommend these to you.
I know someone who is interested in a wheelchair accessible vehicle, how do I recommend them to Fleximobility?
Just give them our number: 01865 300361.
You can rest assured that we will look after them and only sell or hire them something which meets their needs.
What happens if my driver or carer is unable to push me up the ramp into a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
No problem. We simply specify a power winch to assist.
If a ramp prove to be unsuitable, we can show you vehicles with a lift. This is why the demonstration is so important.
You all need to see and try the vehicle so you are confident in using it.
I am a wheelchair user. Can I travel whilst remaining in my wheelchair?
Yes. This is just what a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) is designed for.
There will be no need for any more risky, painful or undignified transfers. Just up and into the car, securing the wheelchair and off you go.
What warranty do I get with my WAV?
This will depend on the age of your WAV on purchase. Please discuss warranty options with your Fleximobility Mobility Consultant.
Where do I go if my WAV breaks down?
All WAVs can be serviced and repaired by most local garages. However, if specialist conversion parts are needed they will have to be able to contact the original converter to supply these.
If you have your vehicle on our FlexiLease scheme, we are responsible for all servicing and repairs. Just call us.
If you didn’t buy your WAV from us this time, we will still try to help point you in the right direction for what you need.
How will my driver know how to operate the various systems on my WAV?
Full instruction will be given at handover, with plenty of time to make sure everyone is confident with how everything works before we leave you.
How are you managing demonstrations and hand-overs during the Covid-19 pandemic?
For your safety and peace of mind, we are offering no-contact demonstrations and deliveries during this time.
Our drivers have PPE and sanitizing equipment for the cars and keys. Please have a wheelchair available for us to use. We understand that the wheelchair user may not take part in the demonstration. Our demonstrator will show you how to operate the various systems, including the wheelchair securing system, power winch where fitted and the wheelchair occupant seat-belt.
We have arranged with our insurer to be able to offer unaccompanied test drives during this period. We just need to see, and take a picture of, your driving licence.
If the test-drive is taking place at a venue other than your home (including at our premises) we also need to see another proof of address, such as a recent utility bill.
I am a wheelchair user, how do get into a disability vehicle or WAV?
If transferring into an ordinary car seat has become more difficult or even impossible for you, you will find this much easier. You simply stay in your chair and access the vehicle via a short ramp or by a tail-lift.
Is it possible to travel in the front of a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
Yes, this is possible, but it will always depend on the overall size of the wheelchair used and the seated height of the wheelchair passenger. The type of conversion necessary will also affect the number of other seats available in the car.
Do you offer any vehicles suitable for more than one wheelchair user?
Yes. We offer accessible minibus transport for up to 4 wheelchair users. Suitability will be based on the size of the wheelchairs and the number of other seats required for ambulant passengers.
Do you offer anything larger than a single wheelchair WAV?
Yes, we also offer accessible minibuses for 2, 3 and 4 wheelchair use. The size and type will depend on the size and types of wheelchairs used and also how many other ambulant passengers will need to travel.
I want to drive from my wheelchair. Can Fleximobility help me?
We don’t offer drive-from-wheelchair vehicles but we can recommend good companies who will be able to help you.
What sort of organisations do you supply to?
As well as our private retail customers, we have customers who are local authorities, health authorities, care home groups, charities, day centres, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, housing associations, trusts and businesses.
We always carry out a full assessment based on the needs of the organisation and the end-users of our accessible vehicles.
Who are Fleximobility?
Fleximobility is a specialist WAV leasing and sales company. We set up Fleximobility from Accessible Motor Company in 2009 after seeing a gap in the market for WAVs supplied ‘when you need them and for however long you need them’.
The company is owned by its directors, Barry Smith & Linda Ling MBE.
Our company values are to listen to our customers and then provide the very best and economic solution to meet their needs. We have chosen to stay impartial and are not linked to any other company. This means we can give you unbiased advice which meets your needs. If we cannot help you we are honest to say so and will point you in the direction of a good company who can.
We also offer consultancy services on personal mobility and transport to case management companies and the legal profession.
What kind of vehicles does Fleximobility offer?
We specialise in WAVs specially designed for wheelchair users who want to travel in their chair.
These might be based on Fiat Doblo, Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Peugeot Rifter, VW Caddy, Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Master, Renault Movano, Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Connect, Ford Custom or any of the wide range of WAV converted vehicles available in the marketplace.
How can I contact Fleximobility?
We like talking to you best, so give us a call on 01865 300361.
If you prefer email then mail us at hello@fleximobility.co.uk. We are also happy to offer a consultation call on Zoom, just contact us initially for details.
Where is Fleximobility based?
Fleximobility is based in Carterton, Oxfordshire.
We are in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Gloucester, Reading, Cirencester and Cheltenham. We have good links from the A40/M40, M42, A34, M4 and M5.
What is the Motability scheme?
This is a leasing scheme which uses your higher rate mobility allowance to lease a new car, WAV, scooter or powered wheelchair.
For more details see www.motability.co.uk
What do I do if I’m not eligible for the Motability Scheme?
Many people, who have become less mobile and need to use a wheelchair after they are 64 years of age, do not qualify for the Motability scheme.
This is no barrier to having a FlexiLease with Fleximobility. Or buying a WAV if that is what you prefer.
If you don’t have the WAV I need in stock, what happens then?
Simple – we’ll find one for you.
We have excellent sources of good WAVs. And if we don’t think we can help in your timescale, we’ll say so and put you in touch with someone else who can.
If I need additional modifications, such as the fitting of hand-controls, can you do that?
We can manage that all for you using a specialist adaptation company.