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Wheeling them in

I'm planning to change my car from a nippy little Fiesta Ghia, which I really like driving, to a more substantial vehicle that will accommodate my tall, disabled husband and a medium sized scooter or self propelled wheelchair plus a hoist for the scooter (not my husband). I don't want to be driving a 'tank', though. I don't mind about transmission, nor fuel. Seats need to be reasonably high off the ground for Tony who has a major back problem and can't walk. Because of my husband’s disability we won't have to pay VAT so a new car might be sensible. (Incidentally he's not eligible for a Motabilty Car.) We've been advised to look at Citroens and Vauxhalls. Have you got any specific suggestions.

Asked on 12 June 2010 by JA, Stafford

Answered by Honest John
Citroen now does a factory approved Berlingo with a ramp, modified by GM Coachwork and called the Berlingo Blaze. It’s available in two formats: driver, plus wheelchair passenger and two other passengers, or driver plus wheelchair passenger and three other passengers. The
low floor conversion of the rear compartment provides generous rear headroom of 1,372mm (4ft 6in) and also a very shallow angle for the fold-out, non-slip surfaced light alloy ramp. It also offers the width needed to accommodate larger wheelchairs. The Berlingo Blaze 1.6i VT is priced from £13,995 (for Motability customers - £495 advance payment and full Motability allowance), while the 1.6HDi XTR based
model is priced from £15,995 (or for Motability customers - £1,195 advance payment and full Motability allowance). All have a three year, 60,000 mile warranty. More on Berlingo Blaze at www.gmcoachwork.co.uk Renault will soon be introducing a Kangoo Express Maxi with a ramp and automated passenger seat.
Dear Honest John,

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