Wheelchair adapted car

[whitestone679231 113]

Anybody have any dealings with adapted vehicles? We have ended up with a Grand Espace, mint low miles diesel auto nav etc,, it has been adapted but not the usual ramp/winch, the passenger seat swivels out electrically and drops down, in boot is a hoist and a big fcuk off electric wheelchair base that you put in front of passenger seat and seat slides onto it, it looks the dogs bollox and a real piece of engineering  and must have cost a fortune but I don’t know wether to retail it or move it into trade... any suggestions?? 

[MattR 177]

i'd trade to a specialist. its going to have a really limited marketplace. If you retail it you will do one of 2 things; sell instantly and  make a fortune, or be giving it a birthday cake 

[NOACROSS 414]

Matt is right.

We do a few mobility things and they usually hang around for ever.  OK if you have the space, but you’ll sell a dozen normal cars from the spot in comparison.

It’s unusual yes, but an Espace Diesel Auto with that type of conversion?

Must be getting on a bit and I’ve found people that buy this sort of thing don’t need any reliability issues so go for something newer or less complicated. 

If it was the more standard ramp conversion then you have two markets for it-wheelchair and mobility scooters..

If it doesn’t owe you wrong, maybe have a go at it.  You won’t have many others to compete against.  Can always raffle it on eBay at a later date.

I should think it’s too nice to be tradable and specialists mostly buy from Motability. In our area anyway. 

I’d, like you, take it in PX but wouldn’t buy it. 

[EPV 631]

As far as i’m told they make great margins but are stickier than a sticky bun on a puddle of syrup. As said, if you have the space and don’t mind looking at it for weeks give it a go. If you want to move metal trade it. 

[Stalker 180]

1 hour ago, Matt Reid said:

i'd trade to a specialist. its going to have a really limited marketplace. If you retail it you will do one of 2 things; sell instantly and  make a fortune, or be giving it a birthday cake 

That said "specialist" will want to rob it from you in my experience.

BCA have wheelchair adapted sales, where said "specialist" goes and pays "the Earth" for everything and anything.

[metcars 397]

Having two elderly parents that have recently 'updated' their lives with wheelchairs and adaptions to their home I can vouch for how much this stuff can cost. My old dad has just done £2k on fancy electric chairs!

It may take a while to sell it, it's a niche market; but personally I would sell it rather than trade it out unless you are desperate and willing to take a hit!

Remember, there is no 'typical buyer' for these adapted vehicles?

Edited May 2, 2018 by met

[trade vet 703]

Retail it,you just might’ring the bell ‘......recently heard about a motor finance rep who has set up on his own.He has a small lock up and sells WAV’s ! and is doing OK.

[Area 51 33]

I'd second giving at go! Cant hurt and the web will make available to anyone searching.. get it serviced for buyer peace of mind.. a specialist will only be rubbing his hands together when it moves, and that could be you..

 

Edited May 2, 2018 by Area 51

[BHM 994]

It’s yours & if it had come my way I’d give it a go for a couple of months assuming it’s nice miles. It’s VERY specialised being the sort without a normal driver’s seat but there’s obviously a (small) market for them.

I’ve done a few of the wheelchair ramp type, £3-5ish, slow shifters but they always go. 

The genuine customers are nice people who will pay the money but expect a few sob stories immediately followed by an offensively low offer from a few chancers.

[whitestone679231 113]

Thanks for all the advise, after looking around at the cost of conversions etc I have decided to retail it, at the end of the day if they don’t need the wheelchair it is still a mint low mileage top spec 7 seater, and anyone with an electric scooter could even use it with the hoist, sure there is good mark up for not big lay out.. thanks again for all comments ;-)) 

[It's me 615]

39 minutes ago, whitestone679231 said:

Thanks for all the advise, after looking around at the cost of conversions etc I have decided to retail it, at the end of the day if they don’t need the wheelchair it is still a mint low mileage top spec 7 seater, and anyone with an electric scooter could even use it with the hoist, sure there is good mark up for not big lay out.. thanks again for all comments ;-)) 

just remember its a reno

ie a hand grenade with the pin out

[whitestone679231 113]

11 minutes ago, chief runnin bee said:

just remember its a reno

ie a hand grenade with the pin out

Espace ain’t as bad as some frog shit, everything seems to work and dash isn’t lit up with warning lights but I am prepared for the worse 

[NOACROSS 414]

I’d take French over German any day of the week nowadays. 

[whitestone679231 113]

16 minutes ago, NOACROSS said:

I’d take French over German any day of the week nowadays. 

And I would bin them all for a jap..

[NOACROSS 414]

Indeed. Except Nissan (being a Renault).

I love it when a customer poo-poos a Renault but then is happy to go for a Nissan.

Or won’t buy a Peugeot diesel but will a Ford.

Or won’t buy a Ford but will a Volvo  

Or (when they used to sell) buy a Mini thinking it was a German engine and you point out it’s got a 207 lump in it. 

Oh. The little things... ;o)

[grant8064 219]

Nice to hear you're retailing it! We've done well with oddball stuff like this in the past, my only thing I have learnt is to really over prep it cosmetically and take the time to do a nice write up, it seems to make the difference.

We've sold a few of those low floor wheelchair wagons but oddly never to anyone in a wheelchair. They've all been to Amazon style multi drop delivery women and one for a mini camper conversion. Anyone else find it the same?

[Area 51 33]

2 hours ago, grant8064 said:

Nice to hear you're retailing it! We've done well with oddball stuff like this in the past, my only thing I have learnt is to really over prep it cosmetically and take the time to do a nice write up, it seems to make the difference.

We've sold a few of those low floor wheelchair wagons but oddly never to anyone in a wheelchair. They've all been to Amazon style multi drop delivery women and one for a mini camper conversion. Anyone else find it the same?

Dont tell Amazon there is an opportunity untapped here with a delivery driver owning a WAV... it will give them all sorts of ideas... of should that just be a new thread altogether..?

 

Nice to here you are giving a go, report back with good news and a round of drinks for the encouragement received here!

[BHM 994]

3 hours ago, NOACROSS said:

I’d take French over German any day of the week nowadays. 

Tbh I agree. If it’s not problems with the German cars it’s the difficult ‘aspirational’ punters. I’m critical of some of France’s finest but at least half of the punters are pleasant people and if you stick to certain models they won’t have sleepless nights. I’ve had a few old Peugeots lately & although there’s no big wages they don’t hang about.