WAV stands for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. This means you can travel in the vehicle while seat in your wheelchair
An image of several cars, all different shapes and sizes, in a car park

Types of car

Learn about the different types of cars on the Motability Scheme, to help you make the right choice for you. You’ll see these categories when you search for a car. Some cars have multiple categories and these images are only examples.

Hatchbacks

These have a boot that’s part of the rear window. This opens upwards, to make it easier to get mobility equipment in and out.

Two-to-three door models generally have wide doors with large opening angles, which makes them harder to park in tight spaces.

Five-door models have rear doors, which are useful if you often have more than one passenger.

Many of the small and medium hatchbacks are suitable for drivers under 25 years old. They also tend to have lower Advance Payments, running costs and CO2 emissions.

SUVs

We have a large range of small, medium and large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and you can search by size to help you find the right one for you.

They have the a high driving position and off-road style, but many come with two-wheel drive instead.

Estates

These are long cars with a large, hatchback-style boot with lots of space for mobility equipment.

If you’re considering one, check you have enough room to park the car and that it’s suitable for the routes you regularly drive.

It's worth taking a few test drives before you decide.

Other body types

MPVs

Sometimes called ‘people carriers’, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) have more room for more passengers. Most let you to fold or remove the back seats to make extra storage space.

Saloons

These are usually long and low to the ground. They have four doors and a shallow boot, just below the back window, separate from the passenger area.

Convertibles

These are stylish, with a detachable or retractable roof for open-air driving. They usually have smaller boots. If you choose a detachable roof, you’ll need to store this in the boot when you take it off.

Illustration of a man with a hearing aid thinking about car costs

Need help finding the right car?

Choosing a car is a big decision. If you're not sure which is right for you, we can help you narrow down your search. 

Find the right car
Illustration of a WAV with a rear ramp

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles)

You can drive or ride in these, or store your wheelchair. They’re ideal for most people who use a wheelchair and we have a range of types and models.

Learn more about WAVs