What are the best mobility cars?
We test and rate the contenders
Find a mobility car for sale
It can be difficult to find the best mobility cars. Will it be suitable for a wheelchair conversion? Is the boot large enough to carry a mobility scooter or wheelchair? Which mobilility cars are best for ramps or boot hoists?
Our team of used car experts have shortlisted the best cars on the mobility scheme. We have grouped together with the best large and small mobility cars that are spacious, practical and good on fuel. Most of these cars are also available with manual or automatic gearboxes and the choice of petrol or diesel engines that can return 60+mpg.
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Year launched: 2018
The Vauxhall Combo Life is an affordable and practical large mobility car. Easy to drive, comfortable and supplied with a pair of side sliding doors as standard, it makes for an excellent base vehicle for a WAV conversion. As you might just have guessed, it's based on the Vauxhall Combo van.
You get a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, with the option of a manual or fully automatic gearbox on many models. The suspension is also very soft and forgiving, which means the Combo Life has a good ride quality.
The Combo Life is available in two wheelbase lengths, which means you can choose a model to match your needs. The XL models are the largest and feature a generous-sized boot behind the second row of seats.
Year launched: 2018
The Citroen Berlingo MPV shares its mechanical platform and engines with the Combo Life, which means it is a good alternative if you are unable to find a Vauxhall that matches your needs or specification.
The Berlingo has lots of space and the seats are firm and supportive for long journeys. Like the Combo Life, you get a choice of wheelbase lengths and the Berlingo’s wide and high body provides lots of flexibility for wheelchair conversions.
Fuel costs are affordable. The 1.5-litre diesels are advertised with 64-69mpg, while the 1.2-litre petrols promise more than 50+ mpg. However, if you want an automatic gearbox, you’ll need to choose one of the more powerful engines as most models are only available with a manual transmission.
Year launched: 2018
Struggling to find a Vauxhall Combo Life or Citroen Berlingo to match your needs? Well, we have an answer. It’s called the Peugeot Rifter.
The Rifter is built alongside the Combo Life and Berlingo MPV, which means it offers the same engines and interior space as its French and UK stablemates. What’s more, you get some interesting extras that include Peugeot’s easy to use i-Cockpit display (which places the instrument binnacle above the steering wheel rather than behind it).
If you’re looking for a mobility car with a forgiving ride quality then you’ll love the Rifter. The soft suspension will absorb rough surfaces with a suppressed thud. As with its stablemates, you get the same petrol and diesel engines to choose from, with only the powerful diesel getting the choice of an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Year launched: 2015
The Volkswagen Caddy Life was one of the first people carrier vans that managed to successfully bridge the gap between commercial vehicle and passenger car. We rate it as one of the most refined mobility cars in its class, while its build quality and comfort are also excellent.
The Caddy Life is available in two sizes, with the Caddy Maxi Life version providing the most space. The interior is comfortable and easy to use, thanks to the simple but effective dashboard and can be fitted with Volkswagen’s excellent touchscreen navigation system.
The Caddy is good to drive and most models are fitted with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 102PS or 150PS. You also get the choice of a manual or fully automatic DSG gearbox. There's also a compact but effective 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit, which is ideal if you cover a lot of short journeys.
Year launched: 2014
The Ford Tourneo Connect is a stylish and comfortable large mobility car. All versions are well-equipped as standard and you get the choice of a standard or long wheelbase. Factor in Ford’s accomplished range of petrol and diesel engines, and it’s easy to see what it’s so popular with car and van buyers.
The interior of the Tourneo Connect reflects its Transit Connect van origins, with lots of firm plastics, but the build quality is first class and this means everything feels like it has been bolted together with a sense of longevity. There are lots of useful storage pockets and cubby holes, which means you’ll never be short of a place to stow large water bottles, cups or tablet computers.
The Ford Tourneo Connect shares its mechanical oil bits with the Ford S-MAX family MPV. As a result, it’s very good to drive with firm steering and well-judged ride quality. We think this Ford is one of the best in this list for road handling, while its overall refinement is also very good with engine and road noise kept to a minimum.
Year launched: 2016
The Proace Verso is a spacious and practical people carrier van that majors on everyday usability. Toyota offers a broad choice of trims, which means you can spec this likeable large car with sunroofs, touchscreen infotainment and hands-free boot opening.
Despite its size, the Proace Verso is easy to drive making it an ideal mobility car. Most models get parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard, while the raised driving position and large windows provide a commanding view of the road ahead.
The Proace Verso gets lots of useful features that make it stand apart from its rivals. For example, those in the back get ventilation controls and powered side sliding doors. You also get a tailgate that features a split opening, which means you can load bags without having to lift the entire tailgate - always useful in places where space is limited like multi-story car parks.
Year launched: 2019
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life shares its technology and engines with the Toyota Proace Verso, which means it’s one of the best moblity cars on sale today. Like the Toyota, The Vivaro Life is good to drive and generously equipped as standard. You also get a good choice of efficient diesel engines and the option of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life majors on practicality. You get the choice of two wheelbases (medium or long) and the largest models provide acres of interior space. The side doors and tailgate provide wide openings and all can be specified with powered assistance that lets you open a door at the press of a button.
Most models are powered by a smooth and refined 2.0-litre diesel engine that can be specified with 100PS, 120PS or 150PS. There is also a 180PS version for those who want a generous helping of power. The Vivaro feels agile for its size, with an excellent reverse parking camera, huge mirrors and an impressively tight turning circle. A head-up display and touch-screen infotainment system further add to its ease of use.
Year launched: 2015
The Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle is one of the most refined large mobility cars that’s suitable for wheelchair or mobility scooter conversion. The road handling is excellent, while the interior quality is everything you’d expect from Volkswagen. Admittedly, the Transporter isn’t the cheapest car in this list, but when it comes to quality it’s second to none in most areas.
Behind the wheel, the Volkswagen Transporter feels more like a large and comfortable car than a commercial vehicle. The driver gets a good view of the road, while the large windows and huge door mirrors provide excellent visibility. There are also some optional features, which include a powered tailgate and rear seats that can be tipped, folded or completely removed.
Most Transporter models use Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 110, 150 or 199PS. You also get the option of a manual or DSG automatic gearbox, with the latter being among the best in this segment. All models are generously equipped, with adaptive cruise control and touchscreen infotainment fitted as standard.
Year launched: 2013
If you want a large and practical wheelchair accessible car then you will not be disappointed with the Ford Tourneo Custom. All models are user friendly, with wide doors that make it well-suited for people who want to travel in their wheelchair or mobility scooter. The Ford also has a very good ride quality, which means it’s also very comfortable on a long journey.
The interior has lots of space, thanks to the high roofline and wide body. The rear seats can fold into different configurations or be removed entirely. However, while the Ford has some of the widest door openings of any large car in this class, there is no option of a powered rear tailgate
Running costs are low, thanks to Ford’s efficient 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. The four-cylinder diesel is offered with 105PS, 130PS or 170PS power ratings. Headline economy peaks at 45mpg, while all models of the Tourneo Custom get a pair of side sliding doors as standard.
Year launched: 2009
Few people carrier vans can match the Fiat Qubo for value. Small on the outside, but large on the inside, the Qubo punches above its weight as a mobility car.
All versions get a pair of side sliding doors as standard and the flexible seating system lets you arrange the interior to suit your needs. The elevated driving position gives a good view of the road too, which means the Fiat Qubo is very easy to feel at one with behind the steering wheel.
The Fiat Qubo cuts running costs to the bone. Both the 1.3-litre diesel and 1.4-litre petrol are cheap to run, with advertised fuel economy peaking at 70mpg for the diesel. The Qubo is also very agile and easy to use, with its 10-metre turning circle making short work of compact spaces and city-centre car parks.
Before you begin your new or used car search it is important to get a full understanding of how you plan to use the vehicle. Will you be storing the wheelchair or mobility scooter in the boot? If so, start by measuring the length, height and width of the scooter/wheelchair to ensure it’ll correctly fit.
Many people choose to travel while sitting in their wheelchair or mobility scooter. In this case, perform the measurements while the user is sitting in their wheelchair or mobility scooter. Make sure you allow for extra space at the width/height to ensure they can travel in the car comfortably. You may also wish to buy a ramp to allow for stress-free access to the vehicle.
Van-based MPVs are the best base vehicles for wheelchair or mobility scooter conversions. The tall and wide boxy shape makes a van-based MPV suitable for a wide range of conversions, with the choice of rear or side access with a ramp or lift. These cars also have a high roofline, which allows many passengers to travel without having to get out of their wheelchair or scooter.