Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Funding Options

There are multiple affordable and flexible funding options for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, so consider which works best for your budget.

Choosing a WAV Supplier

If you’re considering a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, you should look for a reputable convertor with experience in WAVs. Be sure to check their WAV customer reviews, and if you can, speak to some WAV owners to see how they perform.

You’ll depend on your WAV for your independence, so ensure your WAV supplier has a dependable aftercare service, and can provide any spare parts that you may need.

Although some vehicles may be more expensive, they could benefit from higher residual values, making it easier and more affordable to replace the vehicle in future.

---

Buy a New WAV

New Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles for sale can be purchased privately, and give you control over specification and colours. New WAVs typically have a longer warranty, giving you peace of mind, and come equipped with a host of modern features. You may be able to claim VAT Exemption on a new WAV.

The Advantages of Buying a New WAV are:

• You can specify your preferred colour and any options
• You can keep your vehicle as long as you like
• You can use your vehicle freely, without mileage or driver limits
• You get full manufacturer & convertor warranties for peace of mind
• You retain the value of the asset
• You don’t need to give up your Mobility Allowance

Buy a Used WAV

Used WAVs, which are fully refurbished to a high standard, typically offer a lower-cost way to buy a WAV. Many WAVs only cover a low mileage, meaning you should have a range of high quality accessible vehicles with low mileage to choose from.

The Advantages of Buying a Used WAV are:

• You’ll save against the cost of buying a new vehicle
• You get more choice of vehicles, including some not available from new
• You can keep your vehicle as long as you like
• You can use your vehicle freely, without mileage or driver limits
• You retain the value of the asset
• You don’t need to give up your Mobility Allowance

How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?

You can calculate the cost of buying a new or used WAV by considering the purchase cost, plus any running costs for the time you anticipate keeping the vehicle, then deducting the future value of the vehicle, which you will retain when the time comes to sell your WAV.

Total Cost = Price + (Insurance x Years) + (Maintenance x Years) – Future Value

Lease a New WAV via Motability

The Motability scheme allows you to exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a new Brotherwood WAV for a 5 year term, with insurance, maintenance and servicing included. There are mileage and usage limits to consider, and at the end of the contract, you’ll need to return the vehicle and start a new agreement on a new WAV.

The Advantages of Leasing a New WAV are:

• You’ll have less to pay up-front than purchasing outright
• Many of the main running costs of the vehicle are included
• You can change your vehicle every 5 years
• You don’t need to worry about selling your vehicle at the end of your contract

Lease a Nearly-New WAV via Motability

Nearly-new Motability vehicles offer all of the benefits of a new Motability WAV, at a lower cost. The lease period is 3 years for a nearly-new WAV. Nearly-new WAVs are subject to availability, as they have to have been supplied on the Motability Scheme from new, but returned early in the original contract term.

The Advantages of Leasing a Nearly-New WAV are:

• You’ll have less to pay up-front than leasing a new vehicle
• Many of the main running costs of the vehicle are included
• You can change your vehicle every 3 years
• You don’t need to worry about selling your vehicle at the end of your contract

How Much Does it Cost to Lease a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle via Motability?

You can calculate the cost of leasing a new or nealy-new WAV by considering the advance payment, plus the value of your Mobility Allowance for the duration of the 5 or 3-Year contract. 

Currently, the Higher Rate Mobility Allowance component of the Personal Independence Payment is £77.05 per week, or £4,006.60 per year (as of September 2025). So your costs to lease a WAV would be calculated as:

Total Cost = Motability Advance Payment + £20,033 (New) or £12,019.80 (Nearly-New)

Hire a WAV

If you only require a WAV for a short term, weekly or monthly Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle hire can get you on the road quickly. A flexible hire package can keep you mobile on a rolling monthly basis, perfect if you only need a vehicle for a short time, are undergoing rehabilitation or unsure of your future needs.

The Advantages of Hiring a WAV are:

• You’ll have less to pay up-front than buying or leasing
• Many of the main running costs of the vehicle are included
• You’ll only need to pay one fixed weekly or monthly cost 
• You can keep hiring for as long or as short a term as you need
• You don’t need to surrender your Mobility Allowance

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?

You can easily get a quote to hire a WAV for anything from a few days to a few weeks or even months. Brotherwood U-Drive insurance can even be included, meaning that everything is covered by one simple recurring payment.