Top 10: Used WAVs
Almost any car can be thought of as a mobility car. However, when you need one with more dedicated conversion work to become a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle), your choices are refined down. Here’s our pick of used WAVs to suit all needs and budgets.
Peugeot Partner Tepee
The Peugeot Partner Tepee is our number one choice as a used mobility vehicle for several reasons, not least there’s a bigger choice out there than most of its rivals. As a base for a WAV conversion, the Partner is ideal for its large cabin space and rear opening, plus it has a low rear load sill to allow for a shorter wheelchair ramp than some rivals.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
With its sliding side doors and high roof line, the Caddy Maxi Life majors on space and accessibility, making it a very popular base for a WAV conversion. There are no petrol engines, so it's not ideal for town use, but the 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI engines will prove economical. The good news is, there are plenty around on the used market.
Ford Tourneo Connect
The Tourneo may, like many other WAVs here, be based on a van, but it doesn't drive like one. It also boasts an upmarket appearance and impressive range of engines, including Ford's excellent EcoBoost petrols, although they tend to be few and far between on the used market. With a low rear load deck and high opening tailgate, it's ideal for wheelchair access.
Citroen Berlingo Multispace
Citroen’s Berlingo Multispace has long been one of the most popular vehicles to convert into a mobility car. Later models do a better job of hiding their van origins in their more rounded styling and better kitted out cabins, but don’t discount an older Berlingo as they’re tough customers and can offer the buyer on a budget a lot of WAV for the money. Refined diesel engines work well and the ride makes the Citroen a good bet for those who value comfort over agility.
Fiat Doblo
Look past the styling that only a mother could love and the Fiat Doblo’s box-like shape makes it ideal as a WAV. Whether you’re looking for one with rear or side access, there are usually several Doblos available on the used market at reasonable prices and often with much lower mileages than you’d expect of an equivalent family hatch. The long-lasting diesel engines delivers decent power plus the Doblo has a hard-wearing cabin.
Renault Kangoo
The Renault Kangoo is one of the more common WAV conversions, even if it’s based on a more compact van than many others. That doesn’t stop the Kangoo from offering plenty of space for someone in a wheelchair, while the high roof and large glass area makes it feel very airy inside. The 1.5 dCi engine is the one we’d recommend as it pulls eagerly. Our only black mark with the Kangoo is the ride is firmer than the likes of the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
Nissan NV200 Combi
If you’re going to convert a van into a WAV, you might as well start with one of the best and that’s what you get with the Nissan NV200. It’s far more car-like in its ride, handling and refinement than most of its rivals. A rear access ramp allows simple entry and exit for a wheelchair user. The only problem you may face is finding one - there aren't many used examples about.
Volkswagen Caravelle/Transporter Shuttle
It won’t have escaped your notice how much of a following there is for the Volkswagen Caravelle and Transporter. It has cult status and you can indulge in some of that with a WAV-converted example without paying the usual premium attached to these models. Rear and side exit conversions are available and there’s plenty of space inside for occupants and luggage.
Citroen Nemo Multispace
The Nemo Multispace might be the smallest MPV Citroen has made, but that doesn’t stop it from offering more than enough space for a wheelchair to fit comfortably behind the front seats. With a WAV-converted Nemo, you’ll find decent headroom and the drive comes with a supple ride and quiet engines. However, taller drivers may find there’s not enough space to sit as far back from the steering wheel as they’d like.
Kia Sedona
Few MPVs are better value than the Kia Sedona. It may not be much to look at but it's a fine base for a WAV. With a rear entry and ramp, a wheelchair user can easily be accommodated in the Vauxhall and there’s still space for a fourth seat alongside. Alternatively, you can find models with a ramp for the front passenger seat.
