Posted On: 12/14/2023
What You Need to Inspect When Buying Used Wheelchair Van!
Do not buy a used wheelchair van until you read this. My name is Daniel and I've been in the wheelchair vans for sale industry for over 20 years. I've seen too many times where a customer has purchased a used wheelchair from a private party not really understanding if it was safe or functional. Buying a wheelchair van from a private party will waive all your warranty rights if you experience a problem just a mile down the road from purchase, When these vehicles are adapted they can affect the OEM electrical, drivetrain, suspension and all aspects of the vehicle. Just because you see a ramp and lowered floor you should not assume it's worth what they are asking for. This guide to buying a used wheelchair from a private party will give you a better understanding of what to look for on the vehicle condition, both on the vehicle side and conversion side. Making a mistake at the time of purchasing a used wheelchair van will cost you thousands of dollars and in some extreme cases will send the used wheelchair van just purchased to the junkyard with no way to recoup what you have paid.
Simple Guide - Learn What to Look For When Buying Used Wheelchair Vans
First, no matter the make, no matter the brand, all wheelchair vans manufacturers have had growing pains. Certain manufacturing years they might experience issues with rust/corrosion on the underside, AC lines rotting away, ramp motor failures for no reason, door tracks rusting out, door extensions rusting away or many other very expensive repairs.This guide to buying a used wheelchair will help you see if a seller is attempting to cover something up or what to look for when you review a used wheelchair van in person. I would never recommend buying a used wheelchair before seeing and inspecting it. If possible, have a third party inspection complete where the vehicle can be put on a hoist to fully view the entire underside and all major components.
Used Wheelchair Vans That Have Visible Rust
If you can see rust on the bottoms of the side slide door, in the door track or even paint bubbling on any exterior pieces of the used wheelchair van you should know it will only be getting worse very quickly. Once it starts, it's very hard to stop without major body work that will require the metal to be replaced, not bondo filled like most repairs are completed. Generally if it's on the vehicle exterior, the bottom side will be in much worse shape. Chances are if you attempted to put that vehicle on a hoist the mechanic would not raise it in the air as the frame of the vehicle will fail. This can be repaired but the cost can be $5,000 or more to do correctly.
Additional Items to Check for Rust
- Lower door tracks - 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna is commonly seen with rusted out lower door pans. Repairs can cost you around $3,500 per side.
- Lower door tracks - 2008-2010 Honda Odyssey also typically experience rusted out lower door tracks. Repairs can cost you around $3,500 per side.
- Bottom door rollers - side doors should roll smoothly. Operate the door manually and confirm you have no binding or flat spots on the rollers as it opens and closes.
- AC lines - All makes and models suffer from rusted out lines under the vehicle. Being they are custom they are $2,000+ just for the lines and shipping and labor is additional. If the compressor has failed that is another $1,000+ to repair.
- Exhaust system - Older models have tended to last longer with the muffler needing to be replaced. Other issues seen are packing inside the muffler fail and a loud exhaust tone is noticeable. Exhaust hanger brackets can see broken welds where they mount to the vehicle from road vibration or making contact with speed bumps or curbs. Flex pipes welded on also see broken welds. Repairs for exhaust are typically affordable as most items need to be re welded, not replaced.
- Brake lines - Tend to fair the best on the bottom side of the wheelchair van compared to other components. Focus more on the brake pads, rotors and calipers. Listen for grinding and squeaking. If the vehicle pulls one direction when braking you could have a failed caliper.
- Side slide door jam - inspect both side sliding doors and lower rear door jams. As this is the door jam you typically will see bubbling appearing as salt has been trapped in this area if not cleaned regularly. Repairs when only bubbling exist can be less expensive unless you see major decay and rust which will require metal work and paint work needed. If it's not fixed, it can further deteriorate quickly.
- Strut towers - under the hood on both sides will have strut towers where the front strut attaches to the vehicle. If they appear to be opening up like an onion you will likely see a circuit breaker attached to the metal causing the problem. If you see this, do not purchase this vehicle as it's one big bump away from major failure.
- Hoods - Inspect the front edge of the hood. It's common on Chrysler ad Dodge wheelchair vans to have bubbling and blistering. At times the hood will be extremely heavy to open as water has gotten in through the seams and the hood begins to rot from the inside out.
Used Wheelchair Van Conversion Components To Inspect
Conversions will consist of a lowered floor, automatic door, folding ramp or in floor ramp and auto kneeling system. These key components do wear out and will need to be replaced at some point. Hopefully this list below of what to look for will help you confirm it's working correctly or if it's near a failing point.
BuyingFrom Dealer or Private Party - Always Check This
- Door Rollers (upper, middle and lower door rollers) roll smooth with no bouncing back open or closed and no noticeable flat spots.
- Schlep Harness or power door harness. In the lower (Chrysler/Dodge vehicles) door track is a plastic harness, inspecting for broken links, connecting points or wires. If the door bounces back when opening or closing you could have one or more broken wires in the harness. Replacement will be necessary as it's difficult to repair these wires or links. Operate the door window up and down, door locks and confirm these functions work for the door. Toyota and Honda have these harness elevated and commonly do not experience issues or concerns,
- Fold out wheelchair ramp and hinges commonly are built of aluminum to keep them lightweight and strong. If the conversion is a fold out ramp inspect the center hinge and make sure it has all the hardware. When stowed in the doorway the ramp should fold in half smoothly and sit tightly in. If it seems to have a bow or stick out when folded the ramp hinge is likely broken or bent. Inspect both sides of the hinge for visible damage. Scratches in the ramp from foot rest is a terrible thing to look at but should really be no concern on its functionality.
- The In-floor wheelchair ramp will only allow you limited access as many of the moving pieces are below the floor. Rollers that are visible when the ramp is stowed should be inspected to see if they are seized or still rolling as they should. Listening for grinding of metal or sand will offer the most insight from your point of view. Be sure to look for metal shavings as they will offer up clues if no grinding noise is heard.
- Kneeling systems lower the passenger side of the wheelchair van to reduce the ramp angle. Driven by a linear actuator and chain it's pretty clear if it works or not. When the door opens and the ramp deploys you should hear the kneeling actuator begin to turn. Next to the passenger rear wheel is a chain that pulls the vehicle down. Inspect the chain to make sure it's not broken or that its links still bend at each link. Commonly you will see 5-10 links seized and a replacement kneel chain will be needed if it has not already broken.
- Ramp Motors - Locate the ramp motor on the fold out ramp attached to the arm that raises and lowers the fold out ramp. If you notice discoloration or fluid underneath the motor it's showing signs that the motor case has cracked leaving very little fluid left. The ramp motor might still operate, but in time the motor or casing will fail and you will need to replace it.
Used Wheelchair Vans With Check Engine Light
Seeing a check engine light on any vehicle is never a good start when looking at a vehicle for sale from a private party. Wheelchair vans that have a check engine light are most likely caused by an EVAP leak. We recommend you get the vehicle scanned to confirm the codes and the cause of the light. Toyota, Dodge, Chrysler, Honda, Ford, Chevy wheelchair vans have modified fuel tanks, filler necks, lines with breather hoses. Below are possible examples of the code and what it might take to fix the check engine light. These codes can be cleared and will stay off until the vehicle is driven 30-50 miles where it will complete a pressure test and the leak will be detected turning the check engine light on.
- Fuel tank - Poly/Plastic gas tanks tend to expand and warp causing the sending unit gasket to fail allowing pressure to be lost causing the system to fail its test when it becomes pressurized. Attempting to replace the gasket can be done but will most likely result in needing the gas tank replaced. As these are not OEM (original tanks) locating a tank will be very difficult and very expensive.
- Fuel tank - Metal gas tanks tend to have their own issues as well. The band straps holding the gas tank in place, get moisture trapped between the strap and gas tank and they begin to rot out. Gas will begin to leak here and just like the poly tank it will fail its pressure test. If this is the case you will have better luck searching for a locally owned company that will rebuild the existing tank. Finding a replacement tank will be very difficult and expensive.
- Gas Cap - Gas caps will have an O ring on the back side that helps seal it shut. After years of on and off this O ring will fail. Replacing the O ring itself is not recommended. Replacing the entire gas cap is a better fix and rarely actually fixes the problem.
- EVAP/Charcoal Canister - Evap systems require something that captures the unused gas in the lines once you turn your vehicle off. This canister has flaps that open and close depending on the ignatian status of the vehicle. Once this fails it will trigger the check engine light. Not the most expensive or difficult repair but will still cost a few hundred dollars to fix.
- Filler Neck - Filler necks carry the gas from the gas cap opening to the gas tank. This can get rubbed on by the rear wheel when the suspension is compressed down for weight or steep entrances. Pin holes develop causing the system to lose its pressure triggering the check engine light. These filler necks are modified and will need to be purchased form a local wheelchair van dealer, not the OEM dealer.
Should I Buy Used Wheelchair Van From Dealer or Private Party?
Purchasing a wheelchair van from the dealer will cost more but you do have recourse in the event a problem occurs the following days after purchasing. Buying a used wheelchair van from a private party is not a terrible idea. However, buyers beware and do your very best to complete the inspection list laid out in this blog or bring the vehicle to a third party mechanic that will complete the inspection for a few hundred dollars. Once you buy a vehicle from a private party, no matter what you discover you have purchased the vehicle.
