Wheelchair accessible vehicle finance
Ramped and lowered-floor vehicles funded for care providers, community transport and accessible taxi operators who cannot afford downtime.
Whole-of-market — 60+ lenders searched, including
Can you finance a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
Yes. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are funded as converted commercial or passenger vehicles, with the ramp, lowered floor, winch and restraint system included in the asset. Used WAVs are fundable and there is a defined second-hand market. What people do not expect is how much the converter matters. A WAV is a safety-critical conversion, and funders want it to come from a recognised accessible vehicle converter with the certification to prove the floor, anchorages and restraints were engineered properly. A cheap unbranded conversion is hard to insure, hard to value and hard to sell.
Used kit: Yes. Used WAVs are funded regularly, though lenders check conversion certification and remaining licensable life rather than simply mileage and age.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
What would a wheelchair accessible vehicle cost per month?
Asset finance is quoted on a flat rate, so that is what the buttons show, with the equivalent APR beside it. Your exact rate depends on the asset, the term, the deposit and the lender.
Prime is an established, profitable business with clean credit. Specialist covers newer businesses and credit that needs explaining — the asset itself carries part of the risk, which is why finance is often available where an unsecured loan is not.
Representative example: on Hire Purchase, borrowing £25,000 over 48 months at a 5.15% flat rate (equivalent to 9.9% APR representative), you would repay around £628 a month; total amount repayable approximately £30,150, of which £5,150 is the cost of finance. This calculator is for illustration only — it is not a quote or an offer of finance, and the rate and repayments you are offered will depend on the asset, term, deposit and your circumstances. CW Asset Finance is a credit broker, not a lender, and may receive a commission from the lender that funds your agreement. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
Rates shown are indicative flat rates with the equivalent APR alongside — the two are not the same number. Indicative only and does not constitute a quote or an offer of finance. Subject to status and lender approval.
How lenders treat it
Funders treat WAVs as specialist conversions with a narrower but real resale market, so the valuation leans heavily on who built it. Conversions from established accessible vehicle manufacturers carry documentation and are understood; anything else raises questions immediately. The restraint system, winch and ramp need current inspection evidence. On the applicant side, care providers and local authority contractors present well because the income is contracted and the need is durable. Taxi and private hire operators are underwritten more tightly, since licensing and vehicle age policies in the local authority can cut a vehicle working life short — a funder will check whether the vehicle will still be licensable for the life of the agreement. Declines usually involve uncertified conversions, operators whose licensing is not yet granted, and vehicles that will age out of a local authority policy before the agreement ends.
Makes and models we fund
Examples of the machines we are asked to fund. This is not an exhaustive list — if what you are buying is not here, it does not mean we cannot fund it. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.
| Machine | What it is |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Caddy WAV | Small accessible vehicle with rear ramp |
| Ford Transit Custom Independence | Accessible medium van conversion |
| Peugeot Rifter WAV | Compact accessible car-derived vehicle |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter accessible minibus | Large accessible bus with tail lift |
| Renault Master accessible bus | Accessible minibus with tracked floor |
| Citroen Berlingo WAV | Small accessible vehicle for one chair |
| Ford Tourneo Connect WAV | Compact accessible vehicle with ramp |
| Mellor Tucana | British accessible minibus with lift |
| Treka 16 | Sixteen-seat accessible welfare bus |
| Volkswagen Caravelle WAV | Premium accessible people carrier |
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
Who buys one
Care and supported living providers, accessible taxi and private hire operators, community transport schemes, day centres, and specialist transport contractors working for local authorities and the NHS. The most common trigger is a new service user or contract that requires wheelchair carriage, or an existing vehicle reaching the point where the ramp and restraints are no longer certifiable. Taxi operators often buy in response to a licensing authority accessibility requirement.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
We publish the deals we arrange, with no client named and no rate quoted. See what we have funded in vans and fleet.
How it is treated for tax
Bought on hire purchase, business plant and machinery normally qualifies for capital allowances on the full cost even though you pay for it monthly, which is a large part of why hire purchase is the common structure. On a finance lease you generally set the rentals against profit instead. The rules change between budgets and your position depends on how you trade, so treat this as the direction of travel and get your accountant to confirm the detail before you commit.
Wheelchair accessible vehicle finance questions
Does a WAV conversion need certification?
Yes, and it is the first thing a funder and an insurer will ask about. The lowered floor, wheelchair restraints, occupant belts and ramp or lift all need to be engineered and documented properly. Buy from a recognised accessible vehicle converter and keep the paperwork with the vehicle.
Can taxi operators finance a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
Yes. Accessible taxis are funded regularly, especially where a licensing authority requires them. The lender will check the vehicle age policy in your licensing area, because a vehicle that stops being licensable partway through an agreement is a problem for both of you.
Can a care home or charity fund a WAV?
Yes, and contracted care providers are usually a strong profile because income is stable. Charities may need slightly different documentation depending on their constitution and who holds signing authority, and some funders have a dedicated approach for not-for-profit applicants. Tell us the structure early and we will line up the right lender and the right paperwork rather than discovering it midway.
Is it cheaper to convert a vehicle I already own?
Sometimes, and the conversion itself can be funded as an asset on its own agreement. Whether it is worth it depends on the age and condition of the base vehicle — putting an expensive conversion onto a tired van rarely makes sense. We will look at both routes honestly.
What should I check on a used WAV?
The floor pan and ramp hinges for corrosion, the winch and its strap, the restraint tracking for wear and damage, and the certification paperwork. Also check the vehicle will still meet any licensing age rules that apply to you for the whole period you intend to run it.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
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See everything we fund in van and light commercial finance →
Not an offer of finance. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
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We are a broker, not a dealer — we have no stake in which van you choose. These are written on that basis.
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Get your quote
Tell us what you’re looking to fund and Conor will come back to you personally — usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 0333 772 4864 · serving Leeds, York, Harrogate, Wakefield, Selby, Tadcaster & across North & West Yorkshire.