What To Consider Before You Buy a Handicap Van Online

Buying a wheelchair van or accessible SUV is more complex than purchasing a traditional car. While car buyers typically focus on features like seating capacity and amenities, individuals with disabilities and caregivers need to consider additional adaptations like wheelchair seating arrangements and ramp options. Buying a wheelchair van online can lead to receiving a vehicle that doesn't meet your needs and having limited to no service options. In contrast, visiting a BraunAbility dealership in person allows you to test multiple vehicles and adaptations, and build a relationship with a dealer who will take care of you and your accessible vehicle for years to come.

What Are the Drawbacks of Online Wheelchair Van Buying?

It's not recommended to buy a wheelchair accessible minivan online for multiple reasons, including:

1. Customization Options: BraunAbility vehicles offer customization to fit a user's specific needs, including their seating preference, as well as multiple options for securement systems, ramp types (manual, power, infloor, and foldout), and adaptive driving equipment. Various options can be tested out at your local mobility dealer to find a vehicle that meets your needs.
2. Safety concerns: Buying a vehicle online can lead to safety concerns. For example, improperly installed hand controls or faulty securement systems could be very dangerous in the event of unexpected situations on the road. Local mobility dealers ensure all adaptive equipment is installed correctly and regularly maintained for safety.
3. Quality Assurance: BraunAbility is certified by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association’s (NMEDA) Quality Assurance Program (QAP), which sets strict quality and safety standards. Additionally, BraunAbility holds certifications from vehicle manufacturers like Toyota and Chrysler based on vehicle quality and reliability.
4. Warranty and Support: Purchasing a handicap van or accessible SUV through your local BraunAbility dealer ensures proper warranties and support. BraunAbility warranties cover modified vehicle parts, while original manufacturer warranties from Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, and Chevrolet cover vehicle parts that remain untouched after conversion. 
5. Physical Fit and User Assessment: Not every wheelchair van or accessible vehicle will accommodate the unique size, weight, or turning radius needs of every wheelchair or mobility device. It’s essential to ensure the vehicle matches the user’s specific physical requirements. BraunAbility dealers are specially trained to assess these needs and recommend the right vehicle and adaptations, maximizing comfort, safety, independence, and freedom for the user. 
6. Test Drives and Demonstrations: Purchasing a wheelchair van online typically prevents you from testing or seeing vehicle adaptations. Without driving or testing adaptations prior to purchase, you risk a significant financial loss on a vehicle that may not meet your needs.

Getting a vehicle that meets strict quality and safety standards and being able to customize and test out adaptations before buying, ensures it fits your needs and remains reliable for years to come. This peace of mind is something you might not experience when buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle online.

Is It Cheaper to Buy a Handicap Van from a Dealership or Online?

While online listings for wheelchair accessible vehicles may appear more affordable at first glance, they often come with hidden risks. It's harder to ensure the safety, reliability, and overall condition of a vehicle purchased online, especially when it needs to be tailored to specific mobility needs.

Vehicle scams are also a concern—some listings advertise wheelchair vans for $5,000, but these vehicles may not exist or could pose serious usability or safety risks.

Additionally, buying online can lead to unexpected repair costs or modifications down the line, potentially making it more expensive than purchasing from a BraunAbility dealer.

Why Are Wheelchair Accessible Vans so Expensive?

Every vehicle is an investment and wheelchair accessible vehicles are no exception. Accessible vehicles tend to be more expensive than traditional cars due to the specialized equipment and modifications, like ramps, lowered floors and wiring changes, all of which are needed to make a vehicle accessible. There are ways to curb expenses, such as:

• Financing options: Whether you're looking to finance mobility equipment, make monthly payments, or utilize a vehicle protection program, BraunAbility Finance, the only dedicated finance program in the mobility industry, is available to help make your wheelchair van purchase more affordable.
• Vehicle Trade-In: Your local BraunAbility dealer will accept any vehicle for trade-in, regardless of whether the vehicle you're trading in is accessible or not. The value of your vehicle at the time of trade-in can be applied to the purchase of a handicap van or accessible SUV.
• Used Accessible Vehicles: Local BraunAbility dealers stock inventory of used accessible vehicles, which can be purchased to help reduce costs.
• Converting an existing vehicle: If you own a Chrysler, Honda, or Toyota van, or a Chevrolet Traverse, you might be able to convert your vehicle to be wheelchair accessible. Only specific models and years are eligible. If your vehicle cannot be converted, consider trade-in and financing options.
• Accessible Vehicle Seating: If you need vehicle modifications but you don't need a wheelchair ramp, accessible seating can help with getting in and out of a vehicle. Turny seat products are compatible with various vehicles and may be able to be installed in your current vehicle. Contact your local BraunAbility dealer to check availability and compatibility.
• Local and Federal Funding Opportunities: Many individuals may be eligible for grants or funding from third-party organizations, non-profits, or government programs that support mobility independence. Your local BraunAbility dealer is trained and educated to help guide you through the process of identifying and accessing these resources to assist with the purchase of adaptive equipment or wheelchair accessible vehicles.

A wheelchair accessible vehicle is a significant and worthwhile investment in your mobility and independence. Visiting your local BraunAbility dealer, rather than shopping online, ensures you find the right vehicle and adaptations to meet your needs, along with ongoing support after purchase. For those considering a wheelchair accessible vehicle, our buyers guide provides insight into the purchase process, and BraunAbility Product specialists are available to answer any questions and assist you throughout the process.