The number one concern of used wheelchair van buyers is that they end up with an unreliable vehicle that needs expensive repairs and leaves them stranded. If you have decided that your best option for wheelchair accessible transportation is to buy a used wheelchair van, a little bit of homework and due diligence can help to make sure that you get the right vehicle and avoid unnecessary surprise mechanical problems, inconvenience and expense.
- Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted, independent mechanic. Too many people avoid this critical step. It may cost you an hour’s labor and some inconvenience but it can save you money and headaches. Necessary repairs that are detected by your mechanic will often be fixed by the dealer prior to sale at no extra charge so that you don’t have to worry about the expense or a breakdown. At VCI Mobility, we encourage our customers to take our wheelchair vans to their mechanic prior to purchase.
- Run a CarFax Report. At VCI Mobility, we can give you a Carfax report on any vehicle on our lot.
- Match the age and mileage to your needs. If you are going to use the vehicle for short local trips and you are mechanically inclined, you may be more tolerant of a wheelchair van that is older or has higher mileage. However, if you need the vehicle every day and are taking long trips-and are not mechanically inclined, you will want to be sure you buy the youngest/lowest mileage vehicle you can afford. Savings you get by buying less vehicle than you really need are usually temporary!
- Consider buying an aftermarket warranty. Many different warranties are available that will cover certain repairs to your wheelchair van. Some cover just the van chassis, others will cover the mobility conversion as well. These warranties can help you manage the cost of large repairs to your vehicle and in some cases, save you significant dollars. Keep in mind that there are many limitations and exclusions with these products that you should understand when making this purchase.
- Don’t buy a used wheelchair van on the internet sight unseen! We have seen this back-fire on our customers many times. There are just too many potential problems that can happen to justify even the greatest deal. When we ask our customers what makes the most difference in their overall satisfaction with their wheelchair van, price is never the answer! Learn what mistakes not to make when buying a conversion van.
Used wheelchair vans are a great way to go and today, the number and quality of good used wheelchair vans in the market is better than it has ever been before. However, you are buying a used car and the same rules apply to a wheelchair van purchase as any other purchase. Take your time, get educated, have an expert evaluate the vehicle and consider adding extra warranty protection. Investments here will pay you back over the life of your wheelchair van.