New or used car for disabled driver

Mental Mickey

Hi.

I'm looking for advice on buying an automatic car for a disabled driver. Either new or used - am currently driving a 2010 Golf.

Must be 3 door, spacious either petrol or diesel.

colm_mcm

3 door and spacious doesn’t happen too often these days.

Is the 3 door a definite requirement? I know you want to lift a chair in from inside but maybe a crossover would have a big enough door.

punisher5112

Vrt exempt for new buy isn't it....

Alkers

punisher5112 wrote: »

Vrt exempt for new buy isn't it....

Yes, if you're eligible for this, it is in fact possible to buy a car, own it for a few years and then sell it for more than it cost you.

Mental Mickey

punisher5112 wrote: »

Vrt exempt for new buy isn't it....

And used too I think?

Mental Mickey

colm_mcm wrote: »

3 door and spacious doesn’t happen too often these days.

Is the 3 door a definite requirement? I know you want to lift a chair in from inside but maybe a crossover would have a big enough door.

Crossover might be too high to get & out of? 3 door cars have longer, wider door frames

colm_mcm

Yep, but even 3 door hatches are becoming rarer these days. They’re still doing a golf 3 door, but a lot of it’s rivals don’t do 3 door anymore.

You can claim residual VRT and VAT for a used car.

How much bigger than the Mk6 Golf do you reckon you’d need?

colm_mcm

Not sure if a Ford BMax would be an option or whether the door system would be an advantage. They’re out of production now so used only. Combined with a swivel seat it could be interesting. Not sure if swivel seats can be fitted as seat belt is built into the seat.

You could close the rear door from the seat in the swiveled out position and easily throw the chair in the back. The body is pillarless.


Edit. This has been done (just saw one on YouTube) but they had to fit a secondary seat belt system for the seat. Might be way too much messing.

Mental Mickey

colm_mcm wrote: »

Yep, but even 3 door hatches are becoming rarer these days. They’re still doing a golf 3 door, but a lot of it’s rivals don’t do 3 door anymore.

You can claim residual VRT and VAT for a used car.

How much bigger than the Mk6 Golf do you reckon you’d need?

Dunno really? I think the Golf is big enough, my current one has one of those pesky centre consoles that kinda gets in the way.....

rubberdungeon

Would an Opel Corsa work for you?

https://www.opel.ie/cars/corsa/3-door/model-overview.html

bazz26

Those Corsas are terrible cars and you would want to be off your head to consider buying a new one. They are finally being replaced with a new model soon too only after 13 years.

colm_mcm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Dunno really? I think the Golf is big enough, my current one has one of those pesky centre consoles that kinda gets in the way.....

Have a look at a Seat Leon SC maybe

pjdarcy

I'm a disabled driver with a manual wheelchair. I used to have a 3 door Ford Focus which had plenty of space for me to pull the wheelchair across me and place in the passenger seat. I assume Ford are still making them. Currently driving a Ford C-max (albeit a 5 door).

colm_mcm

Nope. Ford don’t do a 3 door Focus any more. Toyota not doing 3 door Auris/Corolla, Kia Pro Ceed is now an estate, Opel stopped selling the Astra Sporthatch, Peugeot not doing a 3 door 308 or Renault a Megane, Honda Civic all 5 door, No Citroen C4 or Mazda3. Even Alfa Romeo aren’t doing a 3 door Guilietta as far as I know.


Think you’re left with Audi A3, VW Golf, BMW 1 or 2 series, Seat Leon. MINI,

BMW i3 with a swivel night also be an option but at a disadvantage in regards claiming VRT back.

Mental Mickey

colm_mcm wrote: »

Nope. Ford don’t do a 3 door Focus any more. Toyota not doing 3 door Auris/Corolla, Kia Pro Ceed is now an estate, Opel stopped selling the Astra Sporthatch, Peugeot not doing a 3 door 308 or Renault a Megane, Honda Civic all 5 door, No Citroen C4 or Mazda3. Even Alfa Romeo aren’t doing a 3 door Guilietta as far as I know.


Think you’re left with Audi A3, VW Golf, BMW 1 or 2 series, Seat Leon. MINI,

BMW i3 with a swivel night also be an option but at a disadvantage in regards claiming VRT back.

Why is the i3 a disadvantage?

Mental Mickey

What about used cars?

colm_mcm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Why is the i3 a disadvantage?

There wouldn’t be much VRT to claim back.


FWIW I was just driving a mk7 Golf and the centre console doesn’t seem to be much higher than the seats. Automatic handbrake on them too which would probably help.

Mental Mickey

colm_mcm wrote: »

There wouldn’t be much VRT to claim back.


FWIW I was just driving a mk7 Golf and the centre console doesn’t seem to be much higher than the seats. Automatic handbrake on them too which would probably help.

Awkward lifting a wheelchair in and out

colm_mcm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Awkward lifting a wheelchair in and out

The mk7 Golf is the newer version of yours. The console doesn’t stick up as much as in yours.

Mental Mickey

colm_mcm wrote: »

The mk7 Golf is the newer version of yours. The console doesn’t stick up as much as in yours.

Ah ok grand. Think I'll take a look at both the Seat and Golf.....?

punisher5112

Be worth going in and having a look at a new one and decide from there.

Mental Mickey

punisher5112 wrote: »

Be worth going in and having a look at a new one and decide from there.

Snap!!!

Alkers

Also, do you need to get the vehicle adapted? If so, the people who do this may have a good idea as to suitable vehicles?

Mental Mickey

Alkers wrote: »

Also, do you need to get the vehicle adapted? If so, the people who do this may have a good idea as to suitable vehicles?

I do need adaptions, but I think the equipment can be transferred

Keithod11

A braun chair topper might be worth looking at.

Mental Mickey

Keithod11 wrote: »

A braun chair topper might be worth looking at.

My chair doesn't fold that way

Keithod11

Have a look at the jazz, not 3 door but iirc the doors open pretty wide

pjdarcy

Can I ask, why do you specifically need for a 3 door car? Is your chair something like this or is it bigger/more complex?

Mental Mickey

pjdarcy wrote: »

Can I ask, why do you specifically need for a 3 door car? Is your chair something like this or is it bigger/more complex?

Because the doors are longer/wider

pjdarcy

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Because the doors are longer/wider

It might be worth trying to get into a 5 door if you haven't tried already. Since changing to a 5 door I've found it makes parking easier in some cases. Because the door is shorter, there doesn't need to be as much distance between my car and the car beside me in order to open the door fully.
However, I appreciate that everyone's disability/ability is unique so what works for me may not work for you.

Mental Mickey

Keithod11 wrote: »

Have a look at the jazz, not 3 door but iirc the doors open pretty wide

My wife has one, but she hoists her chair into her boot

Mad_Mike

I came across this company the other day when searching for somebody else

https://www.donedeal.ie/dealer/wheelchair-cars-ireland

Some of these might be of interest, or even give you a few new ideas

Mental Mickey

Mad_Mike wrote: »

I came across this company the other day when searching for somebody else

https://www.donedeal.ie/dealer/wheelchair-cars-ireland

Some of these might be of interest, or even give you a few new ideas

Yeah I know them. We're going down to chat with them later in the year about a vehicle for both of us. Right now I'm thinking of changing my own car.

Shefwedfan

Just asking, I don't know. Would electric suit better? just the fact you can plug it in at night and it is charged....you dont have to stop at petrol stations?

Belfast

Before buying a disabled car talk to a converter company.
list below
https://www.ddai.ie/nsai-approved-conversion-companies
Some car are more suitable for conversion than others.

I had a Volvo s60.
It was possible to put disabled seat it it, but it could only make a 45 degree turn.

Skoda superb below with disabled seat.


I look a a new Skoda superb even with vrt back it would have been 30k or more even with up to 16k vrt refund.
Instead I got a 7 year old Skoda superb for €10,650

The car was exempt of road tax (€570)for the next 2 years and the is a rebate for the cost of fuel used.

VRT & VAT Relief Scheme for Disabled Drivers

The VRT7 scheme provides a range of tax reliefs in connection with the purchase and use of motor vehicles. Motability Ireland are the experts when it comes to the VRT 7 scheme and what you are entitled to. Relief in respect of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) may be obtained on the purchase of a vehicle, with a maximum of:

€10,000 for a driver with a disability;

€16,000 for a passenger with a disability.

The Scheme is open to individuals who meet the specified medical criteria and have received a Primary Medical Certificate to that effect. You can apply for relief either as a driver with a disability or a passenger with a disability. Alternatively, there is provision for a family member of a passenger with a disability to apply.

The first step to getting a Primary Medical Certificate is applying through your local Health Service Office (HSE) for an assessment with a Senior Area Medical Officer in the Health Board. Your GP or consultant cannot carry out the assessment.

There are two other categories which are outlined below:

1. Specifically Adapted Vehicles. This category provides Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and VAT relief of up to €16,000 for the purchase of these vehicles. The vehicle must be held for at least 3 years before resale.

2. Extensively Adapted Vehicles. Certain individuals with disabilities require extensive modifications to their vehicles to take account of their disability, so that the cost of modifications exceeds the cost of the vehicle itself. To enhance the mobility of those persons a category of “extensively adapted vehicle” is being provided for drivers and passengers with disabilities.

To qualify for this enhanced relief, the cost of the adaptations at the time that they were created, must exceed the open market selling price of the vehicle as determined by the Revenue Commissioners (excluding the cost of the adaptations) at the time of the registration of the vehicle.

The VAT and VRT relief in respect of such vehicles shall be up to €22,000. The vehicle must be held for at least 6 years before resale.

Engine Size Limits

The current limits based on engine size are 6,000cc for drivers, passengers, and organisations.

Purchasing a Vehicle

Vehicles can be purchased from an approved motor dealer or privately to avail of the scheme.

Fuel Grant Scheme

Disabled drivers and disabled passengers whose vehicles are tax exempt under the drivers and passengers with disabilities tax relief scheme are entitled to apply for a Fuel Grant.

How do I apply for the Fuel Grant?

The Fuel Grant can be applied for online from the 1st January 2016, using Revenue’s new online service ‘myAccount’ on the Revenue website. This will make the claim process easier as claims can be submitted and processed immediately. You will need your PPS number, mobile or landline number, e-mail address and home address. Go to www.revenue.ie to sign up.

Motor Tax Relief

A vehicle that has been placed onto the scheme is also exempt from the payment of annual motor tax.

For further information visit www.ddai.ie or www.revenue.ie

Disabled Drivers and Toll Roads

Disabled drivers and disabled passengers whose vehicles are tax exempt under the drivers and passengers with disabilities tax relief scheme are exempt from tolls on each toll road in the state. Under the eFlow system in operation on the M50 toll bridge, as you drive under the eFlow gantry on the M50, the photographic equipment will detect your vehicle registration number and recognise that you should not be charged.

On all the other toll roads the toll road operators issue special passes to facilitate such exempt passage. Passes issued by any one operator will be accepted by all other toll road operators.
https://www.motabilityireland.com/conversions/driver-conversions

Mental Mickey

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Just asking, I don't know. Would electric suit better? just the fact you can plug it in at night and it is charged....you dont have to stop at petrol stations?

Would you have to get a place outside to plug it in? Also wouldn't it add to electricity bills??

Shefwedfan

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Would you have to get a place outside to plug it in? Also wouldn't it add to electricity bills??

Yes, you get outside plug or a charge point installed.



Swapping to a day/night meter means the cost to charge is small.


You would need driveway at house for charge point to make is easier

Mental Mickey

What about a Nissan Micra?

colm_mcm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

What about a Nissan Micra?

All 5 door, and smaller than your Golf.

Mental Mickey

Didn't know that!? Thought there would be a 3 door

Ginger83

Do you have a PMC

colm_mcm

Manufacturers aren’t bothering with 3 door hatchback models anymore as it isn’t worth the hassle for what they see as a dying segment. Your 3 door hatch buyer of a few years ago is now buying crossovers or just making do with 5 doors.
That doesn’t help you of course, but that’s the way the market has gone.

bazz26

Ford Fiesta:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2202733&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D26%26o%5B%5D%3D252%26t%3D2%26dr%3D3%26yn%3D2018%26yx%3D2019%26g%3D0

freshpopcorn

bazz26 wrote: »

Those Corsas are terrible cars and you would want to be off your head to consider buying a new one. They are finally being replaced with a new model soon too only after 13 years.

I'm a tad thick but I thought the Corsa mrk4/D came out in 06/07 and the mark 5/ Corsa E came out in 2014.

GustavoFring

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I'm a tad thick but I thought the Corsa mrk4/D came out in 06/07 and the mark 5/ Corsa E came out in 2014.

Was just a heavy facelift of the old car.

freshpopcorn

GustavoFring wrote: »

Was just a heavy facelift of the old car.

Thanks, at the time I got the impression it was a different model.

Mental Mickey

bazz26 wrote: »

Ford Fiesta:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2202733&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D26%26o%5B%5D%3D252%26t%3D2%26dr%3D3%26yn%3D2018%26yx%3D2019%26g%3D0

Nice. Dunno if I'm going to have 20k available to buy a car though

bazz26

Yeah 20k for a small automatic car is not cheap but your choices in 3 doors are limited.

Mental Mickey

Not sure how much I'd get for a 3 door 2010 Golf DSG?? Low mileage, 1 owner. Would need a good bit of repair work

Mental Mickey

bazz26 wrote: »

Yeah 20k for a small automatic car is not cheap but your choices in 3 doors are limited.

Bleh

NSAman

Buy an aventador, no one will care if it’s practical but they won’t forget you.