mobility vehicle?

homealone_2

i dont know if i am placing this in the wrong post, so apologies if i am.
i am coming to the end of my third year with my mobility car but have only just started driving again since my back op 4 years ago. my husband chose it and drove it to work every day then maybe took me to the shops in it couple of times a month, but that was it. well as he left couple of months agoai have been braving it and been out in it a few times. its a manual which is quite painful so am sure an automatic would be more comfortable but besides that dont know much about cars. i have been sent all the bumf through the post saying i just be visiting dealerships by now and test driving cars before 10 march when they come to take this one but i have no idea what to get. my son is nearly 18 so he likes all the sporty ones which would not be suitable. i need space for a wheelchair but cretainly dont need the 7 seater i have now. besides fancying blue for a change i really dont know what kind of make to go for, have never been in this position before? can anyone offer some advice??? be greatfully received!!

pookienoodle

Have you tried the motability website?
you can search for cars by type i.e automatic,small med or large,4x4.
once you have put in a few needs you will find the choice narrows right down.

allydowd

I would check out the Motability website but also check the NCAp safety rating of the vehicle:

Motability link

anguk

Ricability has an excellent car measurement guide which will tell you which cars are suitable for carrying wheelchairs.
http://www.ricability.org.uk/reports/report-mobility/carmeasurement/contents.htm

Or, as pookienoodle says, do a search on the Motability website to narrow your choices down. You can search by accessibilty requirements.
http://www.motabilityonline.com/site/current_prices/priceList/priceListDLAByAccessibility.jsp

allydowd

When I bought a new car I took a list of questions with me to the dealer:

*Did it have a good NCAP safety rating?
*Can I afford the petrol/diesel? Is it fuel efficient?
*Do I want the car to go fast? Does it run most efficiently in town or on the
motorways?
*Is there a garage nearby that can repair it if it breaks down? This is really important if you choose an unusual make like a Tata or an MCC.
*How much will the insurance and road tax be? (Might not affect you!)
*It the make and model known for its reliability?
*Is it small enough to fit in my parking space?
*Does it have a computerised control system like an ECU which can be awkward and costly to repair if it fails?
*What will replacement tyres cost?
*Does it have an alarm and an immobiliser?
*Is the painwork good? (I live near the sea and salt+paintwork=rust)
*Was the dashboard user friendly?
*Were the pedals centrally placed? (In my last car they weren't and it gave me backache.)
*Did the car fit my body shape? (I'm very short.)
*Would my other half be able to drive it too?

homealone_2

thanks everyone you have certainly given me some food for thought. have been looking at some peugots. look quite nice

PolishBigSpender

homealone wrote: »

my husband chose it and drove it to work every day then maybe took me to the shops in it couple of times a month, but that was it.

You do realise that this is strictly against the hire scheme rules, to the best of my understanding?

Likewise, it will be against the rules for your son to drive the car if it isn't being used for your benefit.

colin13

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

You do realise that this is strictly against the hire scheme rules, to the best of my understanding?

Likewise, it will be against the rules for your son to drive the car if it isn't being used for your benefit.

surley the husband going to work to earn money,,is for the benefit of her

onetomany

i get a mobility car for my youngest i take him school and drive it to do shopping etc , i say shopping etc benifts my son, am i breaking rules?

lindsey27

I got a VW Golf for my daughter. It's great. I'm sure yourson would like it and my daughter's wheelchair fits in the boot. HTH

PolishBigSpender

colin13 wrote: »

surley the husband going to work to earn money,,is for the benefit of her

Morally, yes.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1069251 makes it very clear however - you simply cannot use the car for any purpose except for transporting the disabled person.

i get a mobility car for my youngest i take him school and drive it to do shopping etc , i say shopping etc benifts my son, am i breaking rules?

If you use it for any purpose except for transporting your son, then yes, you are breaking the rules. I imagine that there wouldn't be an issue with using the car to go shopping, provided the shopping was for the child's benefit. But if you use it to go to/from work or for your own personal pleasure, then it's likely to be against rules.