Really with these requirements your inlaws will need to try a lot of different cars in person to see what they can get in and out of easily and this will be different for everyone so it is very hard to give useful advice regarding makes.

They need to narrow down what they want to a variety of makes AND types e.g. hatchback, small SUV and then go and try them all. Once you have an approximate list go to a car supermarket if you have one near you so you can try lots of cars, even if you intend to buy new. If not near a car supermarket they will need to trapse round a load of dealerships. Think about taking some access aids with you https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=helping+hand+for+car that they might find helpful.

Agreed - they can only solve this by trying out cars for size and suitability.

The main problem is going to be that 2- or 3-door cars are mostly either small cars or low-slung coupes. I don't know where you'd get swivelling seats from in Ireland, but may be there's a supplier who can advise you what cars they find the seats work best in.

Ideally Pa-in-law needs a car he can get into and out of without having to climb down or up.

Range Rover Evoque? But visibility is so bad to the side and rear of the 3-door version that I'd hesitate to recommend it. But that's the sort of car where a swivel seat might work in the 5-door.

Have you thought about the Ford B-Max?

It is a 5 door, however there is no pillar between the front and rear sliding door. Should be suitable for swivel seat.

"Must be petrol or hybrid automatic". I'm reading this as petrol manual OR hybrid automatic.

There is a 1.4 petrol manual gearbox version. I would be wary of the powershift automatic gearbox, if it's still a dual clutch version which is fitted to these cars. I would also be wary of the 1.0 Ecoboost engines.

www.ford.co.uk/cars/b-max

Edited by SLO76 on 09/11/2017 at 07:09

Thanks for clarifying that the manual gearbox is out. B-Max is available with 1.6 petrol engine and Powershift dual clutch automatic gearbox. Many back roomers don't like the dual clutch autos.

Found a video of the swivel seats being used in a B-Max. Think this is the Autoadapt swivel seats: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OojkVoCrPrQ

Autoadapt website: www.autoadapt.com/en/products/getting-seated/turno.../

Video of a powered swivel seat in a 5 door car. This seat will be expensive, I was finding prices between £4500 and £6500 (Car not included!). Don't know what Motability Ireland's price is: www.motabilityireland.com/conversions/passenger-co...o

Make sure you get a demo of these seats (in a suitable vehicle) BEFORE committing to purchase. Make sure your father in law tries it. Make sure your Mother in law can work it, without assistance from the salesman! A salesman can make it look easy!

If your father in law needs someone to lift his legs in (or out) of the car, that makes it more awkward/ difficult to do.

You will see in the 1st video I linked, that there is not a lot of room between the seat and the dashboard. It is awkward to lift another persons legs in (or out) at that point.

Please keep us updated. Would be interested in the final car and seat choice. Or if you come up with a different solution. Any further queries, we're all willing to assist.