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The ins and outs of choosing a car (view report contents)

Choosing a car

Basic steps to finding and adapting a car to suit you

Step 1

Ask some basic questions
Think about what you may need in the future as well as about what suits you now. Prepare to compromise as you may not find everything in one car.

Will you drive the car?
If not, you have to think about only getting yourself and any equipment you use into the car, and of your comfort once inside. In either case, click here for what to look for in the showroom and for details of aids which may help. Click here for tips on techniques for getting in and out.

Will you need special controls?

There’s a wide range. They include simple attachments such as wider mirrors and gadgets which make the parking brake easier to use. At the other end of the scale more elaborate controls make it possible for almost anyone to drive as long as they meet DVLA requirements. This guide includes a brief rundown on simpler equipment. If you need anything more complex, see our guide Car controls. And contact a Mobility Centre.

Will you travel with someone?

If not, will you need any equipment to help you get in and out, or to help with anything you may carry?

Wheelchair users

You may be agile enough to get yourself and your wheelchair into a car without help and without equipment. Various techniques of getting a wheelchair into a car are described here. Details of equipment to lift the chair or yourself into the car are given in our publications Getting a wheelchair into a car and People lifters.

If transferring is difficult, or if you prefer to travel in your wheelchair, some cars and vans can be adapted to make this possible. There is a wide choice of vehicles and converters. A smaller range of models can be adapted and equipped to be driven from a wheelchair. Click here for where to go for information.

Step 2

Collect information

There is a lot to think about when choosing a vehicle, and you would be very lucky to find all the information you need in one place.

Reliability, performance, comfort, price and running costs are things everybody needs to consider whether they have a disability or not. Motoring magazines, newspaper reviews, radio and television programmes and manufacturers’ brochures should help you piece together the information you need.

Particularly helpful are:

  • The car buying guide from Which? has comparative information on a large number of popular cars, including details of reliability based on a survey of owners. Published every September with Which? Try your library or for details of how to subscribe, contact:

    Which?
    Castlemead
    Gascoyne Way
    Hertford, SG14 1LH
    Tel: 0845 307 4000
    Fax: 020 7770 7485
    email: which@which.co.uk
    www.which.net

    • Which Car 2001

  • Motoring magazines
    At least six magazines test and review cars. Every month What Car? and Top Gear list the features available on a comprehensive range of models, with prices where these cost extra. These lists include some features which are particularly useful for older and disabled people such as automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors and electric seat adjustment.

After this, there are the things you need to think about if you have a disability.

  • Reviews of cars tested by disabled drivers are published most months in Disability Now and reviews are also found in Arthritis News (free to members of Arthritis Care 0845 600 6868) and Motability’s quarterly magazine Lifestyle – free if you have a Motability vehicle, otherwise £10 a year. Send your name, address and cheque (payable to the Big Agency), to Lifestyle Subscriptions, The Big Agency, 22 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD.

  • Mobility centres and organisations of disabled motorists give independent advice and have a range of essential services – see report sections on helpful organisations and mobility centres.

  • Motability have a list of accredited car dealers. These dealers will know what features in their range of cars may be particularly helpful for older and disabled people. They all have specialist information and facilities for disabled people.

  • Motability also have a Vehicle Suitability Guide on their website, an interactive guide where you answer a few questions and it then lists the car features and adaptations to suit you

  • A video on choosing a car Right first time is available from Motability (£3.99). Their accredited car dealers have copies to lend

Step 3

Try out any car you are seriously considering
If you have a disability, dealers may bring a demonstration car to you. Try getting in and out of it several times. If someone else usually helps you, get them to try the car with you.

Step 4

Work out how you are going to pay for it
See the finance section for some starting points.

 

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Report contents

Introduction
Car design
Choosing a car
What to look for -

Checklist
Techniques
Who can drive?
Getting insurance
Finance
Helpful organisations
Mobility Centres
Useful publications
Addresses