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Kia Motability Adaptations
Our specialist guide on Kia Motability Adaptations
Make driving a pleasure again. If you’re finding motoring a challenge, check out the range of Motability adaptations that could make your driving life so much easier. There are hundreds of Motability adaptations available at no extra cost – whether you need assistance getting in and out of your vehicle, or operating the car, contact Group 1 Kia. We’re happy to help.
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Choosing the right Motability adaptations
Driving should be available to everyone, though for some, it can be a difficult experience. Issues with access, storage and functionality have simple solutions. Thousands of Motability Scheme customers benefit from adaptations fitted to their vehicle, which improve their experience.
There are around 150 different adaptations that can be fitted to a Motability car, all of which are intended to make driving conditions more comfortable and convenient – for both driver and passengers.
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Adaptations are applied to a car to resolve any difficulties when motoring, whether that’s actually while driving the vehicle, getting into it (accessibility) or stowing away heavy items like wheelchairs.
Some Kia Motability adaptations are simple adjustments. If you have issues with mobility in your legs, for example, you might find the introduction of hand controls or electronic accelerators eases those problems and makes a significant difference.
The best starting point is to discuss your concerns with our Kia Motability specialists. Our team of experts will listen to what you need from your vehicle and talk you through all of the available options. The solution might be as straightforward as changing your Kia model for one that's already equipped with handy standard features that make your life easier.
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Are you the main driver?
As the main driver of the vehicle, it’s important that you’re able to operate the car properly and safely, without any aspect affecting your competence when on the road. It’s also important that you feel comfortable and at ease when driving.
If your driving experience is being impeded at all, some of these Motability adaptations might really help you:
Scenario
Adaptations
You have limited mobility or control in your legs
Mechanical hand controls, electronic accelerators, steering aid and pedal guards
You have limited mobility in your right hand
Mechanical hand controls or left foot accelerators
You have limited strength in your upper body
Steering aids, remote control devices, easy release handbrakes and electronic accelerators
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Do you have a wheelchair or scooter?
If you use a wheelchair or scooter to help with your day-to-day mobility, it can be difficult for you, or your carer, to put these ofen heavy objects into your vehicle. If this is causing you problems, adaptations such as a hoist for your car boot or rooftop can literally take the strain off your shoulders and lessen the burden.
Scenario
Adaptations
Your wheelchair or scooter is too heavy to lift and stow
Car boot or rooftop hoists
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What types of adaptations are available?
You’ll find the full range of Motability adaptations classified in three broad categories. These are accessibility, driving and stowage.
Read on for a more detailed explanation of the three different types of Motability adaptations and some of the solutions you can find for each.
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Accessibility adaptations
Wheelchair users will understandably have certain difficulties accessing a car, whether that’s getting seated quickly and comfortably behind the steering wheel as the driver of the vehicle, or getting into it as a passenger.
Of course, there’s always the option of using what’s known as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) but if you prefer to drive a standard vehicle, rest assured there’s a selection of Motability adaptations that can be installed on your existing car. These include: -
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Swivel seats
Swivel seats that move in and out of the car, lower and tip, can make getting to a car much easier than struggling without any kind of aid. These are available in both manual and powered versions, depending on how much assistance you need. Wheelchair swivel seats are available too. These can’t be operated independently, so if you drive solo, this might not be suitable. Speak to our Kia Motability specialists to see whether a swivel seat can be fitted in your current car.
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Transfer plates
Available as manual or electric, a transfer plate fits neatly to the side of the car seat and enables a smooth transition from wheelchair to driver or passenger seat. When you’re all settled in, the transfer plate can be folded away quickly and easily. The transfer process requires you to move from your wheelchair to the plate and then into the car seat, so you’ll need upper body strength. But there are electric versions available too.
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Electric person hoist
An electric person hoist is another option for wheelchair or mobility scooter users who are facing difficulties getting into their car.
The hoist is a permanent mount that is fitted into the car with a canvas sling, raising to move the driver or passenger into the car. Once safely seated, the frame – which is made up of three sections – can be dismantled simply and then put away in the boot of the car. To make the process of getting out of the vehicle as seamless as possible, the canvas sling stays in place. Speak to the team at Group 1 Kia to check your car can have an electric person hoist fitted.
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Driving adaptations
If you’re experiencing physical barriers to driving, Motability adaptations can help to remove these and make the whole experience more accessible and more enjoyable. The change after these Kia Motability adaptations have been applied is significant.
Some of the most popular driving adaptations to standard cars include: -
Hand controls
Using standard foot pedals for acceleration, braking and changing gear isn’t viable for some drivers on the Motability Scheme. Switching to hand controls, using push/pull functionality, to speed up or slow down, is an excellent option. You’ll also need an automatic gearbox, too.
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Electronic accelerators
For motorists with limited leg mobility, who might also struggle to operate hand controls, using an electronic accelerator could provide the solution. You’ll have the choice of several different types – trigger, over ring, ghost ring and under ring accelerators. These each have slightly different ways of working, so talk to our Kia Motability adaptations specialists to find out which version suits you best.
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Steering aids
A device like a steering ball is an example of a hand control that is fitted to the steering wheel to help those motorists who might otherwise have difficulties gripping a standard wheel and therefore operating the car. A steering ball is just one of several easy solutions designed to give the driver more control over their vehicle.
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Remote control devices
A single control panel, which can be operated by one hand, enables a driver to use a range of vehicle functions remotely. Windscreen wipes, headlights and indicators can all be controlled this way.
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Left foot accelerators
If your right leg has limited mobility, consider using an accelerator which is positioned to the left side of the vehicle’s controls instead. You won’t need to use your right foot to accelerate in this case. You can choose between a twin-flip accelerator and a floor-mounted accelerator.
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Pedal modifications
Struggling to reach the pedals in your car? If so, have the pedals extended and brought closer to your body, so you can more easily connect with them when in the driving position.
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Stowage adaptations
A stowage system makes life so much easier for motorists who rely on a wheelchair or scooter to get about, and need to transport it with them when driving. Both can be heavy, unwieldy objects that are difficult to manage without extra assistance.
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Car boot hoist
A car boot hoist does exactly as you’d expect – it transports a wheelchair or a scooter in the boot of your vehicle.
There are two different types of car boot hoist available via Kia Motability Adaptations; a 4-way hoist and a 2-way hoist. A 4-way hoist is suitable for large wheelchairs and scooters, while a 2-way hoist is recommended for lighter types of wheelchair. Both types come with tie-downs included to ensure your wheelchair or scooter is secured safely in the boot while in transit.
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Rooftop stowage
If you need your car boot area to store other items and simply don’t have the space for a wheelchair in there, you can opt for a rooftop stowage unit instead. This unit can house a wheelchair, folded-up, on the roof of your vehicle. The box unit can be positioned above the driver or the passenger seat, depending on your preference.
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Lightweight manual wheelchair
A third option is to get a lightweight wheelchair to easily stow in your car instead of trying to fit a heavier model in your vehicle. There are two different types of lightweight wheelchairs available – a self-propelled version if you travel by yourself, or assistant-propelled if you need a partner or carer to push you.
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Motability adaptation prices
For more information on the range of Motability adaptations available for your car, get in touch with your nearest Group 1 Kia dealership. Our team can talk you through the prices of the various different adaptations and discuss the best options for your vehicle.
There’s more details on pricing below: -
Type of Adaptation
Price Range
Left foot accelerator
£0 - £95
Steering aids
£0 - £100
Pedal modifications
£0 - £800
Mechanical hand controls
£0 - £1072
Person hoists
£0 - £1305
Electronic accelerators
£0 - £1885
*Prices are grouped by the type of adaptation.
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Type of Adaptation
Price Range
Wheelchair stowage (in-car systems)
£0 - £10,990
Transfer plates
£9 - £715
Remote control devices
£50 - £775
Permanent swivel seats
£116 - £8,100
Wheelchairs swivel seats
£170 - £12,365
Wheelchair stowage (rooftop systems)
£667 - £2,750
*Prices are grouped by the type of adaptation.
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Check the specification of your vehicle
You might find that some of the difficulties you’re experiencing as a motorist can be resolved by changing your vehicle, or ordering the right model. There are now many models available on the Motability scheme that already come fitted with popular standard features like seats that can be adjusted for height and automatic gearboxes.
Talk to our team to make sure you choose the best Kia model for you.
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Need help with the cost of adaptations?
While some of the more complex adaptations sit outside the Mobility Allowance scheme and therefore come at an extra cost, you can apply for a grant to help meet those costs. And, there are still around 150 adaptations that won’t cost you anything extra.
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Further help and advice with Kia Motability Adaptations
Not sure where to start? There’s a lot of information to take in, but to help you find the best solution for your motoring plans, speak to a member of our Kia Motability specialist team. We can advise on the best Kia model for you, as well as adaptations that can improve your driving experience.
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