Written by the Bimblers, for a UK Accessible Travel Blog
I didn’t think we needed a WAV until we tried one. And now I’m not so sure.
I thought a WAV was for people who can’t transfer out of their wheelchairs. How wrong was I?
Bridget can transfer from her wheelchair, but we hired a WAV anyway, and it’s left me wondering whether we should look at a WAV for our next car.
The WAV we hired was the Ford Independence from Allied Mobility Hire.
We used the WAV on a weekend break in Snowdonia in North Wales. I’ll tell you how we got on with North Wales later.
But first, let me tell you about Allied Mobility Hire and their Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle hire service.
Allied Mobility WAV Hire
Allied Mobility is the UK’s leading WAV supplier. Less well known, they are also one of the UK’s leading WAV hire companies.
Trading since 1993, Allied Mobility is the largest supplier of wheelchair-accessible vehicles via the Motability Scheme.
With outlets in Glasgow and Coventry, Allied Mobility Hire can hire WAVs anywhere in the mainland UK.
In other words, if you hire a WAV, you do so safely in the knowledge you’re dealing with a reputable, professional company.
Why Hire a WAV?
I can think of a bunch of reasons to hire a WAV. Here are three for starters:
#1 If Your WAV is Off the Road
The first reason to hire a WAV will be if your WAV is off the road.
Allied Mobility already supplies WAVs to the Motability scheme. They will try to offer you an identical vehicle and can work directly with Motability to recoup the costs.
#2 To Try Before You Buy
Many of you are considering buying a WAV or leasing one on the Motability scheme.
But it’s a big commitment, so it makes perfect sense to try before you buy.
Not only try a WAV before you buy or lease but try it over a longer period to make sure it’s right for you.
And this is where the Allied Mobility WAV Hire Scheme comes into its own.
You can choose from a range of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, configure it as you need, and experience it in a more natural environment rather than a quick test drive.
#3 To Make Lengthy Trips More Accessible
My third reason for hiring a WAV is to make a long trip or holiday more accessible and comfortable.
I say this because how we travel means we’re in and out of the car visiting places, for toilet breaks and taking photos.
This means getting the WHILL out of the boot, assembling it, disassembling it and putting it back in the boot. It’s easy enough to do, but it’s time-consuming.