A Buyers Guide to Disability Cars

You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between modern disability cars and cars driven by the able-bodied among us. There are a couple of strong reasons for that, not least provision of vehicles for the disabled has caught up with the 21st century. No more nasty three-wheeled invalid cars. The second reason is that disabled vehicles, whether car, van or bus, start off in life as the self-same vehicle anyone might purchase from their local car showroom or garage. So, on cursory examination, would you be able to tell the difference? No is the simple answer.

A lot of thought and concerns over safety goes into the process of converting an able-bodied car, the ‘base’ car, into a wheelchair accessible vehicle – bit of a mouthful, so most people use the acronym WAV instead. In fact, a whole industry has practically sprung up supporting the conversion process, resulting in a huge choice of vehicles available to the wheelchair user, and at a range of prices to suit just about any pocket.

However, much of this growth has been driven by the highly successful Motability Car Scheme, which aims – successfully – to make the leasing of a disabled car extremely easy. Swap your disability living allowance for a car. All you have to do is choose the car and they do all the rest, including the paperwork. No assessments, credit checks or waiting lists either.

Disability cars have a number of modifications in common, not least the fitting of some kind of ramp to allow the wheelchair user easy access in and out of the vehicle. Most ramps are fitted at the back of the car and may include an optional electric winch. The winch is designed to be easily attached to the wheelchair and can greatly assist any carer push the wheelchair aboard. Obviously, the shallower the angle of the ramp, the easier the wheelchair user will be able to move up and down it.

Part of the conversion process usually involves taking out the floor of the WAV and replacing it with one which is lowered and also strengthened in order to take the extra weight of the wheelchair. The petrol tank may also have to be moved in order to accommodate the lowered floor. A lowered floor also helps to reduce the angle of the ramp. In some cases, depending on the model of vehicle, the roof is raised instead in order to create the extra headroom necessary for the disabled passenger to be able to sit in comfort throughout the journey.

Other modifications and safety features incorporated into the conversion process include the fitting of a locking system to hold the wheelchair firmly in place while the vehicle is moving, and a standard lap and diagonal seatbelt. Depending on the wheelchair users personal circumstances, the ability to remove seating and then put it all back again may also be an important consideration.

There is so much to think about when looking to acquire a WAV. But because there are thousands of disability cars available, the chances are you’ll find the vehicle that’s just right for you. It’s almost guaranteed.

Nextbase SDV47AM: All-Inclusive Car Entertainment System

Keeping kids and family members entertained during trips, especially during long ones, is just as important as planning those trips properly. Luckily, it is now very easy to equip your car with the best in-car entertainment system, thanks to the popular twin-screen DVD player system from Nextbase.

Meet the Nextbase SDV47AM, an in-car entertainment system designed to mee the needs of virtually everyone. For starters, the cost of getting one is superbly affordable; you can purchase one for as low as £120, making it one of the most affordable in its class.

Don’t get intimidated by the price just yet, because for that price you get not one but two 7” LCD screens, a multi-region portable DVD player, and a functional remote control. The screens are designed to fit onto the backs of driver and front passenger seats, while the entire system can be powered by simply plugging it into the car lighter socket.

When it comes to features, the Nextbase DVD player certainly offers plenty.

It supports virtually any optical media format, it has a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, and can be easily integrated with your car’s existing speakers and entertainment system; the non-permanent installation also makes this device very practical to use.

Car Transport Service

When it comes to car transport services, there are many different benefits that you can get out of using them. You can plan on spending quite a bit of money, but it is definitely well worth the investment. It is much better than buying a whole new car in the process. Depending on where your moving destination is, they will charge you accordingly. They will also charge you based on the type of vehicle you have, so these are some things to keep in mind before you begin looking for the best service. The best thing that you can do is call and quote as many places as you can before you decide to stick with just one.

It saves you a lot of time and money by using a Auto transport service. You will not have to worry about anything as far as getting to your destination on time, etc. It is way better than buying a new car. You can have your vehicle shipped anywhere. These are some things that you must keep in mind.
Another advantage that this type of service comes with, is it allows you to travel however you want. You will not have to worry about how you are going to get from point A to point B any longer because you will not have to drive. You have many other options. You can fly or even take the train. You will not have to worry about unpredictable drivers and heavy off and on traffic. You can get there in the blink of an eye and not have to worry about any of these things.

They are highly reliable. You just want to make sure that you have found the best company that is near you. They will either come and pick your vehicle up from your home, or you can drop it off to them. They make everything very convenient for you. You won’t have to worry about the safety of your car or anything else of that nature. You just may want to ask as many questions prior so you understand how the process works.

Car Warranties: Added Benefits

Auto insurance is mandatory these days, but most auto insurance policies don’t really offer coverage against mechanical breakdowns and electrical failures. To protect your car from such issues, you will have to get a good car warranty. In this part, we are going to talk about the extra benefits offered by car warranties in general.

Car warranties protect your car against mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures, and other common problems. For a small amount of fee, you don’t have to worry about routine maintenance and repair costs of your car under these circumstances.

The best car warranties also offers unlimited protection over the term of the warranty. The coverage remains in force no matter how many claims you have filed or how many miles you have driven in the car.

For added convenience, most car warranties also come with roadside assistances.

This means if your car experiences a mechanical breakdown in the middle of a trip, all you need to do is call the designated hotline and everything will be taken care of for you.

Some of the best car warranties available on the market are very affordable, costing nothing more than £99 a year, so having good warranty coverage certainly worth every penny.

The Benefits of 2×4 over 4×4

The difference between 2×4 and 4×4 is the number of wheels that are provided for ‘drive’ In other words, you either have two wheels on one axle giving drive, or you have four wheels giving you drive, using two axles.

What then are the benefits of driving a 2×4 as opposed to a 4×4?

• The main advantage of driving a 2×4 is fuel economy. Simply put, the 2×4 uses less fuel than the 4×4.
• There is less wear and tear on all moving parts if one is driving in 2×4 as the front axle experiences more pressure on a 4×4
• While the 4×4 offers a safer smoother drive on rough terrain the 2×4 is stronger than the ordinary vehicles and can handle the road when conditions demand.
• The 4×4 has two differentials, one on each axle, providing drive to all the wheels all the time, whereas a 2×4 only has one.
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  There is a cost reflected in fuel when using more than one differential.

• If using only one differential there is also less wear and tear.

An example of an excellent 2×4

Understanding the need for fuel efficiency while still driving a car that can handle snow storms and rough terrain alike, Land Rover has an excellent 2×4 to suit their customers need.

The Land Rover 2011 Freelander 2 is in keeping with an action packed life and does so with complete style. It presents a number of advanced technologies such as

• Terrain response
• Automatic dual zone climate control
• Seventeen inch alloy wheels

The Land Rover 2011 is a 2×4 fuel efficient environmentally responsible vehicle that will emit less Co2 into the air than a 4×4.

Independence And Freedom Through Motability Cars

Motability cars enable the disabled to enjoy a level of independence and freedom the rest of us take for granted. It’s a scheme without parallel, a real success story.

The Motability Scheme is directed and overseen by Motability, a registered charity. Motability also raises funds in order to provide extra financial help for Scheme customers with special needs. These Scheme customers might otherwise be unable to afford the car of their choice.

Motability also administers the Specialised Vehicles Fund, a government fund providing financial help for customers who need to travel in their wheelchairs. The charity also provides technical support for both the customer and for members of the adaptation and conversion industry.

The actual running of the Motability Car Scheme and the Powered Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme is the responsibility of Motability Operations, a not-for-profit company which is owned by the UK’s major banks – Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Everything about the company is staggering! Assets total £3.7 billion and annual turnover exceeds £2.2 billion. The company sells some 145,000 used cars every year. Cars purchased amount to six per cent of all new cars sold in the UK.

Since 1978, the Motability Scheme has provided 2.5 million cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs for the disabled!

So what can you expect from the Motability Car Scheme? A heck of a lot is the answer. And years of hassle-free motoring, too.

But you’ve got to qualify first.

No problem if you receive the high rate component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement. Turn part of the allowance into the car of your choice and let Motability take care of the rest. Simple.

So what do you get for your money? For starters, some 4,000 brand new cars to choose from. Insurance taken care off, servicing, maintenance, RAC breakdown cover, annual road tax paid, tyre and windscreen replacement, 60,000 mileage allowance over three years, and many adaptations at no extra cost.

What a package. Forgot to mention there are no waiting lists, credit checks or assessments to worry about either. When the three-year lease comes to an end, simply transfer everything to a new car! It doesn’t come any easier than that.

No wonder the vast majority of customers opt for contract hire instead of buying a car outright, via a hire purchase agreement, for example, which doesn’t include insurance, servicing, breakdown cover or maintenance.

With the Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme, you get all the support and help you’ll ever need to enjoy hassle-free mobility. Again, the same qualifications apply as in the Motability Car Scheme.

The lease covers a choice of some 200 products. You’ll get a new scooter or powered wheelchair every three years at a standard, UK-wide price. No shopping around. Insurance covering injury to people or damage to property is included as is damage to your own wheelchair or scooter.

Add in 24/7 breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance and repairs, and replacement tyres and batteries and you’ve a mobility package second-to-none. What a deal!

Auto Salvage Auction: Sale Documents

There are literally thousands of vehicles with minor to extensive damages being written off by insurance companies and owners each day. Most of them end up in salvage auctions, and you can now buy salvage cars though auctions easily thanks to online au

to salvage auction websites currently available. Before you make a purchase, however, you need to be extra certain about the car you are buying.

The best sale document category to come with a salvage car is the clear sale document. When you see this as the status of the car’s documentations, it means the car is still road legal by law and you can use it as a day-to-day car after some repairs. The cost of getting salvage cars with clear sale document might slightly be higher, but it is still substantially lower than the actual cash value of the car.

Cars with salvage sale document can only be used as sources of parts and cannot be restored. The car has been completely written off by the insurance company or previous owner. Although you can restore the car and try to obtain new documents, the process will be rather costly, less beneficial, and time consuming to go through.

Buying Salvage Cars: Factors to Consider

Whether you are buying salvage cars for parts or any other reason, you need to consider the necessary aspects properly before finalizing your purchase decision. With more auto salvage auction websites currently available, finding available options wouldn’t be a problem at all. There are several factors you can consider when comparing salvage cars to purchase, and we are going to talk about them in this article.

First of all, check out the presented details about primary damage and secondary damage. The primary damage is where the car is hit in a collision; if the car has a front primary damage, it is safe to say that the engine compartment and sometimes the front cabin are heavily damaged. A secondary damage is minor damages caused not by the accident directly.

Next, check the sale document for the car. If the car has a salvage sale document, driving it on the road even after you repair the damages will be nearly impossible; you will need to get a new registration and meet a lot of requirements before you can use the car regularly. If the car is sold with a clear sale document, on the other hand, you can drive the car legally without hassle after it is repaired.

Understanding Basic Auto Insurance Coverage Types

Today, it is mandatory to have proper auto insurance policy if you are a car owner. The insurance policy is designed to protect you against financial risks and liabilities in the event of a car accident. Before you go ahead and purchase an auto insurance policy, however, you need to first understand the two basic types of insurance coverage offered.

First, we have the comprehensive coverage. Auto insurance comprehensive coverage will protect you against natural disasters and unwanted circumstances other than a collision or a car accident. If your car is damaged in a riot and your auto insurance comprehensive coverage covers riots, for example, you will get the necessary funds to repair your car.

Next, we have the collision coverage.

As the name suggests, auto insurance collision coverage is the type of coverage that protects you in the event of a car accident. Whether you are causing the accident or you are the victim in the circumstance, the insurance policy will kick in and you will have your car repaired in no time.

Don’t hesitate to seek car insurance advice before finalizing your purchase decision, especially when it comes to determining how much comprehensive coverage and collision coverage you need.

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