Should we get a Mobility van with a ramp or an MPV with a hoist for a wheelchair?

We have decided its time to change our Daihatsu Fourtrak and our Autosleeper motorcaravan for a smaller vehicle. We are interested in ex-Motability van derivatives as we have a mobility scooter, and for ease of access. Are these a good buy or would we be better to go for an MPV and electric hoist? Which makes would you recommend? We'd like a decent size engine, probably petrol as we do quite a lot of short journeys. We have up to £10,000 to spend.

Asked on 2 February 2013 by PB, via email

Answered by Honest John

Wheelchair 'drive-in' cars are expensive but obviously it's much more convenient to simply drive a wheelchair into the back, up an integral drop-down ramp, than it is to use a hoist. They retain value quite well. www.brotherwood.com is the biggest and best supplier and has a secondhand stock. There's more under 'Disabled' in this directory: www.honestjohn.co.uk/useful-websites/specialists/

Tags: motability scheme disabled drivers wheelchair

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