Whether your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is a nippy little Fiat Doblo or an ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Benz V-Class, having a WAV is one of the keys to maximising your mobility and helping you get the most out of life. Eventually, however, the time will come when you'll want to update your vehicle. As with standard cars, if it’s a leased WAV (perhaps through the Motability Scheme) you will probably just hand it back and take delivery of a brand new one. However, if you own the WAV yourself, selling it could be much more complicated and time-consuming. Here we'll run through a few top tips to help you sell your WAV, get a quick valuation and receive more money for it, plus we'll also look at a new free service that makes selling a WAV easier than ever before.
As with every sales process, the first step is to understand the market for your WAV. How specialised is it? Will it have a limited appeal or interest many prospective buyers? How much are similar vehicles currently advertised for online? Whether you are selling to the trade or privately, knowledge is power. Having a realistic idea about the market will help you enormously.
Doing your homework on price is vital before selling your WAV. With so many classified advertisers it’s never been easier to understand how to price your WAV. Is your WAV very specialised? There may be fewer prospective buyers, but the likelihood is that you’ll be able to demand a higher price – particularly if the WAV and its adaptations are rare. It's worth noting that WAVs with an automatic gearbox and upfront WAVs are always in demand. Your research will inform your price expectations.
When setting a selling price, remember to factor in things such as the adaptations, as well as any damage, the service record, large variations from average mileage, tyre condition and the length of the remaining MOT.
A little bit of research on websites such as Autotrader, Parkers, eBay Motors, What Car? and the second-hand WAVs listed for sale on MotaClarity, as well as price checks on the websites of specialist WAV dealers, will all help to give you an idea of where to set that all important price. There’s never been more freely available information.
The perception is the reality: when selling your WAV, presentation is everything. Whether you’re selling to the trade, part exchanging or aiming to move your vehicle on privately, there’s a balance to achieve between doing too much and too little preparation. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, looks clean and is ready for the new owner to drive away in. Imagine what you’d like your next vehicle to be like when you collect it. That’s your standard.
A basic wash, wax and interior valet will work wonders and show that you’ve cared for the vehicle. Naturally, you’ll also try and make sure all your WAV’s specialist adaptations are in full working order.
Sell Your WAV With MotaClarity
Be open and honest and describe your vehicle realistically. If you’re writing an advert, aim for a balance between frustrating lack of detail and too much information. According to the RAC, ’a 50 to 75 word-long advert is considered the “sweet spot” ’. Be honest so potential buyers don’t feel as if they’ve wasted their time viewing your WAV, regardless of whether it's a trade or private buyer. If you’ve noticed a fault, your buyer probably will too! List it or fix it, but don’t hope the buyer doesn’t notice after crossing the country for a viewing.
There are many ways to sell your WAV. The most suitable one for you will reflect how much money you want to get, how much time you’re prepared to put into the sales process and whether you plan to buy another vehicle afterwards.
Selling To A Dealer Or A WAV Specialist
Selling to a dealer is likely to be quick and relatively hassle free, but it's unlikely you'll get anywhere near top money for your vehicle.
Selling Your WAV Privately
On the other hand, a private sale should generate a better price. But the downside is the work you’ll have to put into selling, advertising, handling viewings and making sure you have a safe way to be paid.
Using A Car Auction
Then there’s the good old motor auction, ranging from groups such as G3 Vehicle Auctions to independent local auctioneers. If they work for you, auctions can be fast and relatively hassle free. However, be aware that there’s no guarantee of your WAV making its reserve price…
Online Car Buying Sites
Few of us can have missed the growth of online car buying sites in recent years. From We Buy Any Car and Cazoo, to the Car Buying Crew and Motorway, hardly a prime time TV ad break passes without another catchy jingle or smooth-talking celebrity urging us to 'enter our reg number' and look forward to being paid!
There’s a reason these firms advertise: it works, for anything from a Suzuki Swift or Toyota Corolla estate to a Volkswagen Golf GTi or a high-spec Jag. It also works for wheelchair-adapted vehicles like yours, which is why we're now working with a specialist vehicle buying service that should be of interest to anyone selling their WAV.
At MotaClarity, we spotted the potential for harnessing the popularity of online car buying sites to help owners who want to sell their WAV.
That's why we have partnered with Motorway – it’s online, fast and 100% free with home collection and fast payment. In fact, 84% of Motorway customers get more money*.
Step 1: Value Your WAV
Get a free, instant WAV valuation. Then add some basic information and take photos to create a profile of your vehicle.
Step 2: Get Your Best Offer
5,000+ dealers compete to buy your vehicle in an online sale. Motorway share their best offer that day for you to approve.
Step 3: Complete Your Sale
Complete your sale in as little as 24 hours, with home collection and fast payment. All completely free.
If you need a buyer for your WAV, doesn’t this sound easier than trying to sell it yourself? We thought so!
Learn more about the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle selling service here. Now, what did you say that registration number was?
*84% of Motorway sellers sold their vehicle for more than the average market price valuation between January 2020 and October 2023 (based on two independent market pricing guides). Visit motorway.co.uk/claims. If you choose to sell your WAV, we may receive a commission. This does not affect the price you receive for your WAV.
