Hi,
We are thinking of replacing Barbara's Hyundai with something that is easier for her to climb into.
A Google search has produced this ....
VAT relief on motor vehicles. You can purchase, a motor vehicle VAT- free when all the following conditions are met: the motor vehicle is supplied to a disabled person who normally uses a wheelchair to be mobile. the vehicle is permanently and substantially adapted. the adapted motor vehicle is for the domestic or personal use of the disabled wheelchair user, and the supplier has been given a completed declaration, form VAT1615A, which confirms eligibility..
Barbara is unable to move
anywhere without a wheel chair ... usually her power buggy ... so that covers the first requirement.
Next comes the "
permanently and substantially adapted" requirement. What does that mean? Initial investigation into "mechanical handling" seems to suggest that the crane and gantry, or whatever, is a simple bolt in job.
The Xmas break, on top of Lock-down, has prevented me driving into town, and molesting the main-dealers.
Finally, there is the requirement that the adapted motor vehicle is for the
"domestic or personal use of the disabled wheelchair user," What does that mean? Is the vehicle's use restricted to only when the declared disabled person in actually in the car, or could it be used by me, for Barbara's benefit, but without her being in the car. And would that cover journeys that benefit us both? (specifically taking Wilkie to our daughter's so that our grandson can take him walkies). My knees hurt, too... if it's more than about 25 yards, I take the car.
In a recent visit to the dentist, it took about 20 minutes for Barbara to transfer from her traditional wheel-chair back into the passenger seat of her Hyundai. At the PONR, she was standing, knees bent, hanging onto the open door, with no obvious escape route. The driver's door is easier, as she can use the steering wheel as a struggling bar. Transferring to/from her power buggy is also easier, but we haven't analysed why. "It is difficult to remember that the prime objective is to drain the swamp, when you are up to your, er,
armpits in alligators"
We have noticed that there are plenty of disabled adapted cars for sale ... probably ex-motability cars.
602