Advice please need 2nd hand car for wheelchair access

maria09

Hi
My mum is confined to a wheelchair after her stroke 2 years ago and has only just been able to sit in her wheelchair for a few hours at a time so it's time to find a car
Went yesterday to look at some total disaster! Pouring with rain soaked to the skin and looking at cars I would have scrapped! No way would my mum even get in it! I really didn't know what was in my dads mind yesterday
I've said to him you need to go to a dealership to look at them not some back street con man!
Has any one any advice they can give
We live in the Yorkshire region
Maria

fowls48

Hi Maria


Sorry it went badly for you yesterday .I think you are right a back street dealer is no good unless you have some knowledge of cars , and half the time when you purchase these cars they never have the logue books and there could have been 10 previous owners .You are better off going to a car dealer .Have you tried getting mobility , my mother has had 2 strokes and is entitled .Its worth looking into .Sorry i have not been of much help but somebody else will be along soon with some better advise .Good luck .


karen xx

maria09

Hi Karen
Isn't there an age limit on the motobility scheme? My mum and dad are 77
Maria

fowls48

Hi Maria

My Dad is 79 this year , so as far as i know there is no age limit.


karen xx

stickywicket

All you need for wheelchair access is a reasonably big boot, depending on the type of wheelchair. Mine’s the absolute basic model, intended for others to push, and it folds up small. The cushion and footplates detach and the handles fold in. Other models are less bendy and can be much heavier to sling in.

However, you also need access for your Mum to get into the car. I always go with Mr SW when hiring one on trips abroad as some cars are much easier to get in and out of than others. Two door models open wider than four door. Low seats aren’t good for getting out of and sills are an absolute nono.

Motability doesn’t, I think, have an age limit provided you have the higher rate component of Mobility Allowance or a couple of other things. You can check here http://www.motability.co.uk/understanding-the-scheme/eligibility

maria09

Thank you
Mum has an electric wheelchair and is hoisted in and out of bed so will need one with rear access
I've given my dad that website SW as it was him that said he wasn't entitled to a motobility car
Hopefully he will take notice coz he's a stubborn old mule at times
Maria

salamander

A friend of mine bought an ex-motobility car from a dealer who specialises in selling them on. You might find some info out by googling. Do you have a decent mechanic? If so, you could ask them to look for a car for you, mine has found me my last two cars.