Archive for Adaptations

Adaptations and Vehicle Compatibility

Person hoistsFor Motability customers looking for a vehicle that can be adapted, ordering the adaptations through your dealership when they order their car is “the only way to take advantage of the great prices the Motability scheme offers.”… 

However, not all adaptations are suitable for every type of car; the best approach is to consider the compatibility of the car with the adaptations that are required in mind.

This is where we come in to help you and your customer!

Ergomobility are well-established experts in the industry with over 20 years experience in vehicle adaptations and working to help disabled drivers and passengers stay mobile.

We are trusted by over 600 Motability accredited car dealerships across the South East of England, as well as thousands of private clients.

We encourage you to call us when you’re with a customer if they’re unsure of the adaptations they need or, they know what they need but you must determine if their favoured vehicle is suitable for these adaptations.

As well as giving practical advice on the telephone and via email, we can also arrange a face to face adaptation demonstration with your customer before they order their new car from you. This gives complete peace of mind. The last thing anyone wants is for a vehicle to be ordered only to find it’s not compatible with the adaptations required.

As specialists in our field, we have established connections with a wide range of industry professionals… so, even if adaptations are not the right solution, we can still offer support and guidance.

So please get in touch with us!

Every day we talk to dealers and their customers. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, working in partnership with over 600 Motability dealerships.

Make sure you take advantage of our adaptations experience and expertise.

Get in touch with Egomobility by CLICKING HERE.

Not Every Disabled Driver Needs an Adapted Car

buying an adapted carAdapted cars are expensive. There’s no getting around it. So it’s no wonder people ask the question, “Do I really need and adapted car?” And the answer is, quite often, no. If you’re unsure, you can always get in touch with us for a free assessment but, in the meantime, here are some helpful tips on what to look out for in your next car if you’re not having it adapted (or even if you are).

As you will see a car doesn’t always have to be adapted to enable a disabled driver to drive safely and in comfort.

So without further ado, here’s a summary of the tips:

Look for a car…

1. That is an automatic with cruise control

If you struggle with changing gears, especially in heavy traffic, an automatic car may be the solution. Cruise control can also provide convenience on those long journeys as well as prevent you from accidentally speeding.

2. That has sufficiently light power-assisted steering

Heavy steering can often be a cause for concern when driving, especially for those lacking in upper-body strength. ensuring your new car has light power-assisted steering will make parking and operating the vehicle in tight spaces a lot simpler and easier.

3. Electrically operated seats, preferably heated

Electrically operated seats can make finding the perfect driving position a simple affair. And if you can get them heated, even better. This will help those stiff and aching joints on those cold winter mornings.

4. With no sills or narrow sills

Wide door sills can make ingress and egress from the car a difficult task for those with limited mobility. ensuring the sills are as narrow as possible will ensure you’ll be able to continue using the vehicle for many years to come.

5. With conveniently placed handholds

Should you need some extra leverage, some conveniently placed handholds will make getting in and out a lot easier.

6. With remote central locking, preferably keyless

Keyless remote central locking is not only convenient but can be essential for those with limited mobility in their hands, eliminating the need to fiddle with small buttons.

7. With push-button start

Again, a push-button start eliminated the need for those with limited hand mobility to insert a key and turn it. With the key in their pocket or purse, the driver can simply start the car at the push of a large, red button.

8. With an automatic tailgate

An automatic tailgate is a must-have for those who have limited upper-body strength. The simple push of a button will open and close your car’s tailgate, negating the need for any heavy lifting.

9. With a boot with a low sill, or that has no sill at all

Lifting items out of the boot and over a high boot sill may not only be inconvenient but downright impossible for some. Find yourself a car with a boot sill that is level with the floor of the boot for maximum convenience.

If you’re unsure whether an adaptation may be helpful then you can contact us on 01444 882233, info@ergomobility.co.uk or from our convenient contact page.

Mid-Term Motability Adaptations

We were asked a question by a Motability salesman a few days ago and as it’s not the first time, so we thought it was worth sharing.

The question was, “Can a Motability customer have further adaptations added to their vehicle during its lease period?”

The short answer is yes, your customer can have adaptations fitted to their vehicle during its lease period (after handover). However, they must advise Motability beforehand and the vehicle must be suitable for the adaptations. If it is, your customer must pay the Motability Adaptation Specialist directly.

There are a few reasons why someone may need adaptations fitted after the vehicle handover:

  • An unforseen change in their disability or circumstances.
  • The client hadn’t realised which adaptations were available to them.
  • Something was missed by the client, dealer or adaptations specialist at the time of ordering the vehicle.

Obviously, a change in disability cannot be predicted and therefore adding extra adaptations is unavoidable.

The other two circumstances may be avoided if the adaptations specialist takes the time to speak to your client at the time of ordering.

At Ergomobility we always contact your customer before adapting their vehicle. We sometimes find that they would benefit from additional adaptations, many of which they may not be aware of and are often free under the Motability scheme. For example, a customer requesting hand controls may also benefit from a steering ball, indicator switch and pedal guard.

It is our mission to ensure we find the best solution for your customer first time, every time, so they can enjoy their car for the entire period of their vehicle lease, without the need for additional adaptations.

You can contact our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01444 882233 or info@ergomobility.co.uk. Alternatively, head on over to our contact page and fill out the enquiry form.

Ergomobility Sussex
Units 1 – 4, Crosspost Industrial Park,
Cowfold Road, Bolney,
West Sussex, RH17 5QU

Telephone: 01444 882233

Ergomobility Thames Valley
Tylorstown,
Caversham
Reading, RG4 7XW

Telephone: 0118 321 8193

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Ergomobility is a trading name of Equivalent Engineering Ltd. VAT Registered Number 776341117
Company registered in Cardiff number 4321179 Registered office – Units 1 to 4, Crosspost Industrial Park, Cowfold Road, Bolney, RH17 5QU