Finding a suitable wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is not as easy as many think. This acquisition may well be a compromise that started with knowing you have to say goodbye to a car you want to travel in for a vehicle you need to travel in. Whether you need a new or a Nearly New WAV on the Motability Scheme, WAV rental, or a financed or outright purchase of a new or used WAV, we are here to help you with independent advice on your first or next WAV.

Vauxhall Movano mid wheelchair user position rear lift WAV from Southern Mobility Vehicles

The Vauxhall Movano is a practical WAV that works for various needs in the accessible vehicle market. It’s a large van for sure, but it has the room to accommodate the broadest of needs in the wheelchair accessible vehicle marketplace. Its internal dimensions give it the edge when looking at high level needs wheelchair users. The Movano can carry multiple carers and a broad spectrum of equipment, and given the internal floor area, this, to a certain extent, can be arranged how you’d like it to be to accommodate your specific needs.

The Movano conversion will vary depending on who converted it; our preference is to buy them with as much floor tracking as possible. Maximum tracking means the flexibility is already there. If the tracking is present, you can accommodate quick-release seats and move them around in the vehicle, secure a wheelchair user in various places, or have multiple wheelchair user positions.

It is possible to get up to four wheelchair users in a standard wheelbase Vauxhall Movano, but this would need to be thoroughly tested first, and we’d not generally recommend this unless it was at least a medium wheelbase vehicle. The standard-wheelbase version of the Movano will accommodate two wheelchair users, usually side by side or possibly inline, but this must be scrutinised carefully.

The Vauxhall Movano is not a luxury WAV, but the practicality and accommodating space that comes with it will ensure that you can move a wheelchair user quickly and efficiently to where they need to be. The Movano is built with two or three front seats and anything from one to five or more rear seats plus one wheelchair user position. There are usually five positions a wheelchair user can be positioned in a Vauxhall Movano, the nearside front or back, the offside front or back or centrally in the middle of the floor.

Scooter users like the Movano too, as it gives plenty of space to dismount and no obstacles to navigate. It is important to remember that whilst the accommodation is substantial, the size of the rear lift floor will vary, so always check with us before you travel that your scooter will fit on the lift. We seek the WAVs with the more extensive lift floors, but not all lifts are the same size and the lift most Vauxhall Movanos were fitted with, do not accommodate large scooters.

The Movano works well for those it suits, but it isn’t for everyone. Its roof height, for one, will stop you from getting in most car parks; this is essential to note before you consider one. It is most definitely of a van origin, and this will be reflected in its specification, size, and manoeuvrability. Still, it is so practical and solves many issues that put potential WAV buyers straight into it. It is a no-hassle wheelchair accessible vehicle, and we do like that attitude it has.

The Vauxhall Movano comes with a variety of different engine powers, they are always diesel, and there is a manual and a semi-auto gearbox. Both are straightforward to drive; the ride height is good too, which makes driving so much easier and as stress-free as it can get. Driver confidence is essential when transporting wheelchair users around; worry can be pretty infectious, so always make sure the driver is content to drive a vehicle of this size and dimensions and indeed at the height they will be seated.

SMV conclusion: the Movano is a large internally accommodating WAV with natural flexibility. The 2.3-litre diesel engine will pull well, cruise well and eat as many miles as you want to do. It’s a genuine workhorse that will keep going, and they are very reliable.

Why not give Southern Mobility Vehicles a call if this WAV isn’t quite right for you. We are independent WAV advisors, so you will get the best of all worlds, whatever your wheelchair access needs are. Whether you are looking for a new Motability WAV, a Nearly New Motability WAV, short term hire, or an outright purchase, we are the WAV dealer to call first. We are here to help; we know how hard it is to be confident you are buying the right mobility vehicle for your needs.