The Market

The UK WAV Conversion Market

The UK market for WAVs is possibly the most advanced and vibrant market of its kind in comparison to our European neighbours. Conversion companies have been actively promoting improved mobility for wheelchair users for over 40 years and investing heavily in design and development to ensure functionality, usability and safety standards are of the highest levels.

Levels of service from WAVCA members have been developed to ensure every customer need is met in a comprehensive and reassuring manner at pre-sale, sale and after sales.

Not withstanding this WAVCA recognises that for any industry providing a product or service continuous improvement is needed and expected. There is always room for improvement for our customers particularly when the product involved is as important as the family car.

WAVCA's Concerns

• In the U.K. anyone can convert a vehicle
• You don't have to be licensed or registered to be a vehicle converter.
• You don't have to be approved by the manufacturer.
• A company can just convert a car, and then sell it.
• The conversion might never be checked by anyone and it is not documented as a converted vehicle on any vehicle records or registration document.
• When it comes to the MOT the conversion and the whole area occupied by the wheelchair passenger is ignored.
• Whilst all other seat-belts are checked to make sure they are safe and will do their job, the wheelchair passenger seat belt and wheelchair restraints are currently ignored.