Buying a Motability vehicle
If you’re buying a WAV from GM Mobility via Motability, we have made this process as stress-free as possible. When looking for a disability car to suit your needs, we want your buying experience to be one to enjoy. To help you on your journey to discover and purchase the ideal disability car for sale for you, we’ve put together some points to consider guiding you through the process when you choose one of our disability cars for sale.
Who should be at the demonstration?
- Make sure the driver and anyone you regularly travel with is with you when the WAV is demonstrated and you go on the test drive
- You carer must be happy helping you into the vehicle, securing your wheelchair and driving
- Practice operating the tie-down restraints to secure the wheelchair in place as some people can find this tricky.
- If you normally travel with luggage or equipment then take it to your demonstration so you can check you have enough space.
- During your demonstration you should visit places you regularly go and drive on roads that you would usually drive. You will want to see if the WAV will fit in with your daily life
- Ask the driver to practice parking and make sure they have clear visibility when you’re secured in your wheelchair
- Try using any car parks you regularly visit, for example supermarkets or doctor surgeries. Not only must you be able to access the car park, but you must check there is space to park the WAV and allow access for the ramp and the wheelchair user.
- Our professional driver will demonstrate how the features of a WAV work
- Practice using the equipment yourself to check that you’re comfortable and confident in their use.
- Consider whether your needs might change during your lease – could you need a bigger wheelchair that will impact on the size of Motability WAV you need?
- Think about whether you might need additional seating in the future for extra passengers.
You need to make sure you find the WAV that is right for you and your needs, and that you and anyone you regularly travel with feel comfortable in it. If the WAV you are testing does not feel right, trust your instincts and say so. Take your time during your demonstration so that you’re able to get to grips with everything that you’re going to need to know about a vehicle.
If you’re thinking about one of our brand-new disability cars for sale, it’s unlikely that your WAV supplier will be able to bring the exact model for you to test, but it’s still important that you test one as similar as possible to check how suitable it is.
Once you’ve browsed our disability cars for sale and found a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) that’s right for you, it’s time to place your order. It’s a straightforward process that GM Mobility will manage for you.
When you’ve found the right WAV for your needs and you’re ready to place your order, we will ask you to complete a few simple forms:
- Statement of responsibilities and suitability confirmation – this confirms that you and your drivers understand and agree to abide by the Motability Scheme rules about how you can use your WAV
- Driver fair processing declaration forms – this allows us to check the details of your nominated drivers with the DVLA.
Along with the above forms, you will also need to give us:
- DWP entitlement letter – this can be a copy so you don’t have to give your original
- Copies of both parts of your nominated drivers’ driving licences
- Your award letter if you are receiving financial help from Motability, the charity.
GM will place your application on the Motability system. Motability will then check your eligibility and the DVLA will process drivers checks. Once the application passes these checks, which usually takes a few days, Motability will advise us and they will place the order for your new WAV.
Once your application is accepted, Motability will send you a confirmation letter, which includes your Personal Identification Number (PIN). You will need your PIN to take delivery of your WAV as it acts as your electronic signature. Separately we will usually send you an order form to sign and return, this will say what vehicle you’ve chosen and any optional extras you have added.
After your order has been placed, we will be able to let you know when it will be ready for delivery. On average this takes between 6 and 12 weeks. But if you have ordered a Nearly New WAV it should take only a few weeks. Once your WAV is ready, we will deliver it straight to your home. We will show you and your carer around your new WAV and go through how each of the features work.
Take some time to practice these features, especially using the ramp and tie-down restraints, and ask us any questions you have. We also have on our website a selection of video demonstrations, should you need a refresher.
We will give you a welcome pack containing a Motability handbook which will tell you everything you need to know over the course of your lease. The pack will also include your insurance documents – check all your nominated drivers are listed. About a month after you take delivery of your new WAV, we will be back in touch to offer a free check at your home to ensure you are making the most of your new vehicle. The check will cover a reminder of how the features and functions of your new WAV work, and ensure it is meeting your needs and expectations.