The most important check before you buy any wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is simple: will the wheelchair user fit, sitting in their own chair, through the door and inside with room to spare? Five measurements answer it, and they take about ten minutes with a tape measure and a helper.
Short version: measure seated head height, wheelchair length, width and combined weight, then compare them with the vehicle’s door height, door width, internal headroom, floor length and ramp limits. Bring the wheelchair to a demonstration and we will check it in the vehicle.
The five measurements to take
Measure with the wheelchair user sitting in the chair they will travel in, on any cushion they normally use, and with footplates and headrest set as they are day to day.
- Seated head height. From the floor to the top of the head, or to the top of the headrest if that is higher. This is the number that decides most WAVs. Allow a few centimetres of clearance on top so the head does not touch the roof over bumps.
- Seated eye height. From the floor to eye level. It tells you whether the wheelchair user will see out of the side windows or only the roof lining, which matters on longer journeys.
- Overall length. From the back of the wheelchair (including any push handles or anti-tip bars) to the front of the footplates, with the user’s feet in place.
- Overall width. At the widest point, usually across the wheels or push rims.
- Combined weight. The wheelchair plus the user. Powered chairs can be heavy, and ramps and winches have a maximum load.
What to compare them with
Each of your measurements has a matching vehicle measurement. Ask us for these on any vehicle you are interested in.
| Your measurement | Vehicle measurement | What you are checking |
|---|---|---|
| Seated head height | Door opening height, and internal headroom where the wheelchair parks | The user can get in without ducking and sits with clearance above |
| Overall width | Door opening width and ramp width | The chair rolls straight up the ramp and through the door |
| Overall length | Floor length from the back door to the seats in front | The chair fits with the door closed and the user’s feet clear of the seats |
| Combined weight | Ramp and winch weight limits | The ramp and any winch are rated for the load |
| Seated eye height | Side window height | The user can see out |
Other things to check
- Is the wheelchair suitable to travel in? Not every wheelchair is designed to be used as a seat in a moving vehicle. Check the user manual or ask the manufacturer whether it is crash tested for transport (the standard is ISO 7176-19) and where the tie-down points are.
- Restraints. The wheelchair is held by four tie-down straps, and the user wears the vehicle’s own lap and diagonal seat belt. A wheelchair’s own lap belt is not enough on its own.
- A head and back rest. If the wheelchair has no headrest, the vehicle may have one that folds down behind the user. Ask us which vehicles do.
- Ramp angle. Shorter ramps are steeper. If the chair is pushed by a carer, or is a heavy powered chair, a longer ramp or a winch makes loading much easier.
- Where the user sits. In most rear access WAVs the wheelchair sits behind the front seats or in the middle row. If being up front beside the driver matters, see our guide to rear or side access.
- Future needs. If a bigger or powered wheelchair is likely in the next few years, measure for that too.
Let us check it for you
Send us the five measurements and we will tell you which vehicles in stock will fit, with the door and headroom figures for each. Better still, book a demonstration: we bring the vehicle to you (free within 100 road miles of Thornbury) and load the wheelchair before you decide.
Related: Rear or side access: which WAV suits you? · Delivery and demonstrations · FAQs