WAV Vehicles

[KC66]

Is there a reason Wheelchair Access Vehicles are not suitable or available to non wheelchair users? Obviously they have the ramp in the rear, which may or may not be useful, and other modifications, but they seem to be good value in the used market. Often DSG, one owner and lower mileage, so are these worth consideration?

Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks

[PJD]

You're right that most WAVs are low mileage DSG, Life Caddys.

The issue is more the work beneath the vehicle to accommodate the ramp, which means no spare. Not such a deal. Probably exhaust and fuel tank mods. Then the ugly bumper that needs replacing if you are not going to look like you are an imposter the moment you ably jump out of the vehicle.

On the upside the lower floor gives a bit more head height.

[KC66]

Thanks for your response, didn’t realise there would be fuel tank and exhaust modifications. Starts to make sense as to the attractive prices.

[Nicklouse]

The rear axel is also different.

[KC66]

Thanks, I have heard enough to avoid.

Maxi 2.0tdi preferably with DSG is what I’d like, but wanting something 2015 or new sub 90k miles for around 12.5k and in the southwest looks a tall order. There is one, viper green, but my wife says she won’t be seen in it!

[PJD]

Viper green is one of the most sought after colours. Looks lovely. DSG too!
I would get it and a divorce.

[kobat79]

Seconded on the Viper Green, snap that up! And a fake moustache and sunglasses for the wife.

[heno]

I actually have one of these, a 2016 Caddy Life TDI 2.0 with DSG. It's only done 39k miles and seems in good condition. Still I want to modify it a fair bit and I'll write a separate thread on that but for now I'd agree that you probably don't want an ex-WAV unless you need the accessibility.

The modification is quite extensive, esp on mine which has an up-front wheelchair position (which is fairly rare). The way the ramp is implemented makes it more noisy at the back and because the floor is lowered you cannot lower the suspension - in fact I plan to raise mine a bit to make getting over speed bumps easier. It also has additional electrical equipment which drains the battery when parked (now fixed on mine) and is probably more likely to rust underneath due to the extensive modification.

I've only had it about a month now and it's my first Caddy so it's the start of a journey

[KC66]

Viper green is one of the most sought after colours. Looks lovely. DSG too!
I would get it and a divorce.

We’ve only been married a month!

She had started to concede on the colour due to lack of vehicles to consider and then when I looked at it again realised it wasn’t a maxi despite it coming up on a search for a maxi!

[PJD]

We’ve only been married a month!

She had started to concede on the colour due to lack of vehicles to consider and then when I looked at it again realised it wasn’t a maxi despite it coming up on a search for a maxi!

Seeing as it's not a Maxi your marriage is safe for now.
Though, once you buy a Caddy, maybe stay off this site for the sake of marital bliss, far too many talented people doing some Incredible mods to tempt us to do likewise and blow cash and time.

[KC66]

She’s used to that, previous t4 / t5 owner and more recently Land Rover discovery 2 which has sucked thousands out of me!

[Nicklouse]

She’s used to that, previous t4 / t5 owner and more recently Land Rover discovery 2 which has sucked thousands out of me!

The caddy can do that as well.

[KC66]

I bet!

[STP]

I swear it's a disease and there's no stopping it

[OFI]

Recently bought my own ex-WAV MK4 trying to work my way through removing the bits now. Using it as a 7 seater again looks to be a bit more faff as one of the original belt reels is removed. Electrics didn't take too long to remove. The ramp itself was amazingly only 4 small bolts and 3 rivets.

My main issue at the moment is what's left of the drop down bumper part. I'm not against the aesthetics of it but it makes a hell of a squeak.

Has anyone got photos of how they've tidied that part up? I guess if I went as far as changing the whole bumper I'd still need to box in the back somehow.