Guide to Buying a Wheelchair Accessible Car

With so many different types of wheelchair accessible cars available it is often difficult to decide which is the right mobility vehicle for you. We have compiled this short WAV buyers guide to help you make the right decision.

(WAV is a common abbreviation for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle)

A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is a car or van that’s been adapted so you can travel—or even drive—while staying in your wheelchair. Some people use a WAV to carry their wheelchair or mobility scooter, then transfer into a standard passenger seat. There’s a wide range of WAVs to choose from, from compact cars to larger MPVs that fit the whole family.

Common features

  • Access ramp (and sometimes a lift)

  • Wheelchair tie-downs/restraints

  • Seat belts designed for wheelchair users

  • A lowered floor or, in some cases, a raised roof to make entry easier and provide extra headroom

Wheelchair passengers

Most WAVs are set up for passengers who use wheelchairs. You’ll usually enter from the rear and be safely secured in a dedicated position inside the vehicle.

Wheelchair drivers

Some WAVs are converted so you can drive while remaining in your wheelchair. Alternatively, many standard cars can be fitted with adaptive driver controls, allowing you to transfer into a standard or adapted driver’s seat and drive comfortably.

Sizes and layouts

WAV cars are popular and cost-effective, offering a compact size that may suit everyday use. If you need extra seats and luggage space for family trips, consider an MPV-sized vehicle. Some MPV and minibus WAVs can carry two or more wheelchair users at once.

Choosing your WAV

The “right” WAV is the one that meets your specific needs. Start by listing the features that matter most to you, then select a vehicle that delivers those essentials in the size and layout you prefer.

Many wheelchair users choose a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) because it lets you travel in your wheelchair—no transferring into a car seat or lifting and stowing your chair.

Transferring with a hoist can be uncomfortable or tiring. A WAV allows you to stay in your wheelchair for the journey, often making travel simpler and more comfortable. If transferring isn’t possible for you, a WAV can be a perfect solution—giving you the freedom to go where you want, when you want.
All our WAVs include robust safety features such as wheelchair restraints, a dedicated wheelchair passenger seatbelt, and easy-access ramps. Even if you’re able to transfer into a car seat, many people still find a WAV the easiest way to carry their wheelchair.

Scooter users

Our WAVs are also popular with mobility scooter users. They make loading and securing your scooter straightforward, while you transfer and ride comfortably in a passenger seat.

Popular reasons to choose a WAV

  • No need to transfer from your wheelchair

  • Quick, simple entry and exit

  • Space for family and luggage

  • Wide choice of models from OC Cars & Mobility—available to buy or hire

  • Convenient for storing a wheelchair and ideal for scooter users too

Alternatives to WAVs

If you can transfer easily and have no difficulty stowing your wheelchair, a standard car with adaptations may suit you. Options include swivel seats, hand controls, hoists, and rooftop or boot stowage systems to help you travel with ease.

When choosing the right wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), consider the range of conversion features available and how they match your day-to-day needs.

  • Lowered floor
    Adds headroom and reduces the ramp angle for easier access.

  • Lowering suspension
    Lets the vehicle sit lower when parked, further easing the ramp gradient.

  • High roof
    Provides extra standing and seating headroom.

  • Folding seats
    Rear seats fold away to create space for a wheelchair passenger and fold back up when you need them.

  • Folding ramps
    All our WAVs include a lightweight, easy-to-use ramp. Counterweights or springs assist with smooth folding. The ramp folds flat to the vehicle floor when not in use for a tidy, versatile load area.

  • Safety systems
    Every WAV includes a full wheelchair restraint system and a purpose-designed seat belt for the wheelchair passenger.

  • Electric winch
    If pushing up the ramp is difficult for a carer or partner, an electric-assist winch (standard on all our vehicles) helps guide the wheelchair safely in and out.

  • Lifts (minibus options)
    Our minibus WAVs for group transport can be fitted with either a lift or a ramp to aid entry and exit.

If you’re a disabled driver, a wheelchair accessible car or MPV can offer real independence—whether you drive from your wheelchair or transfer to a specialised seat. Many models include automatic features that support fully independent use.

Two conversion approaches

  • Transfer to an adapted driver or passenger seat

  • Drive directly from your wheelchair

Internal transfer vehicles

An internal transfer vehicle (e.g., Ford Dream™) provides generous space to move from your wheelchair, powerchair, or mobility scooter onto a six-way adjustable driver or passenger seat. Transferring inside the vehicle keeps you safer on busy roads and protects you from bad weather.

Drive-from-wheelchair vehicles

Drive-from-wheelchair WAVs offer a clear path from the rear entry to the driving position, so they typically have fewer rear seats than smaller passenger WAVs. In OC Cars & Mobility’s drive-from-wheelchair cars, access is from the rear, with options like remote-operated lowering suspension and automatic ramp deployment for fully independent entry and exit.

Personal assessment

Before you decide between an internal transfer or a drive-from-wheelchair setup, we’ll arrange a detailed assessment to tailor the vehicle to your needs.

Custom-fitted adaptations

Most wheelchair drivers benefit from bespoke driving adaptations. Common options include:

  • Pedal extensions

  • Hand controls

  • Indicator extensions

  • Steering spinners

A wide range of driving aids and adaptations is available through OC Cars & Mobility.

When you’re choosing a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), focus on the features that match your specific needs and routine.

Space for your wheelchair or scooter

Pick a WAV with the right dimensions for your chair or scooter and a clear, simple route in and out—no tight turns that could damage the chair or vehicle fittings.

Quick sizing checks:

  • Measure the widest point of your wheelchair/scooter and compare it with the narrowest entry point of the vehicle.

  • Compare the overall length of your chair with the length of the wheelchair bay to ensure safe, secure positioning.

  • If you’ll travel seated in your wheelchair, confirm there’s comfortable legroom—especially if you use elevated leg rests.

The best test is a real one: try your chair or scooter in any WAV you’re considering.

Passengers

All our WAVs seat at least two passengers in addition to the wheelchair user and driver. Many models have fold-forward seats that create space for the wheelchair user when needed and fold back for everyday use.
Do check what’s included—some converters advertise vehicles without rear seats as standard and may charge extra.

Bringing a child seat? Test how it fits during your demonstration to confirm size and comfort.

Room for luggage

Think about the equipment you typically bring—medical kit, shopping, bags—and make sure the vehicle offers enough cargo space for your trips.

Wheelchair access

All our cars and MPVs include a lightweight, easy-to-use ramp. Larger group-transport minibuses can be fitted with either a folding ramp or a tail lift.

Whenever possible, have the person who’ll assist you try the ramp. They should be able to help you safely, even on a slope. Ramp angle matters—shallower is easier and safer.

Many WAVs reduce ramp angle with longer ramps or rear lowering suspension, and some offer an electric winch to assist with entry and exit.

Parking

Allow space behind (or beside) the vehicle for the ramp or lift to fully extend. A smaller vehicle can make tight parking easier. Also consider the vehicle’s height if you regularly use multi-storey car parks with height restrictions.

Seated position

Ask about available seating layouts. If a carer or family member needs easy access to you during journeys, choose a layout that supports this.

Check your view out of the windows and your headroom—these vary by conversion. If you need extra clearance, high-roof WAV options are available.

Safety

Every car, MPV, and minibus is equipped with high-quality wheelchair tie-downs and a dedicated passenger seatbelt. These systems—and the full vehicle adaptations—are rigorously tested to meet strict safety standards.