Motabilty - any catches?

[Broomsticklady]

As thread title really. I have mobility allowance of c£52 a week, which is what's required to get a car. It just seems too good to be true that for a down payment of £1500 I can get for example a Ford Kuga for 3 years with everything paid.

Any catches - things I should be aware of / think about?

Nina

[Six Fiend]

Having had various Motability cars I can confirm there are no catches.

All you have to do is put petrol in it and appreciate the fab deal you're getting.

Yes you could run a car for less but the scheme gives you peace of mind and shiny new toy every 3 years. I opted out to buy old barges with big engines and more toys as I do teeny mileage.

Do consider how your needs may change over 3 years. A car which is fine now may not be in 1 or 2 years and changing is a pain.

Be wary of who will be driving and what the contract covers in terms of additional drivers. Have a good read of it.

Ford are usually quite good with loyalty bonuses too and you can get a reward of you really take care of the car and hand it back in non-abused condition. Mine always went back utterly spotless having been pampered.

Oh one final thing, when you pick up the new car, start saving the deposit for the next one!

HTH

[eybic]

The money you get back is actually from Motability not the manufacturer/ dealer.

As a dealer that participates in the scheme, I'm not aware of any drawbacks for you except you no longer get your mobility allowance. If a vehicle does become unsuitable during your 3 year agreement you can change it.

Their Customer Service department are probably the best I have dealt with.

[Six Fiend]

The reward for good condition is as you say Motability, but Ford have given loyalty vouchers in the past to get another order when the contract is up

[eybic]

Six Fiend said:

The reward for good condition is as you say Motability, but Ford have given loyalty vouchers in the past to get another order when the contract is up

Hmmm ok, fair enough. We don't do that (MINI).

[kowalski655]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thats good enough for the bonus-Ive known people to use their car as a kennel for their dogs-the garage refused to even touch it after a smash.
Not all cars need a deposit,or even all of the DLA...depends on how big a car you want(I was looking at £2K deposit for a 308CC for SWMBO next year.The teeny ones are very cheap) You can also use the DLA as a normal HP but you have to pay insurance,servocing,etc.Not as good a deal, no wonder 95%(IIRC) of Motability customers go for a lease.

[eybic]

kowalski655 said:

You can also use the DLA as a normal HP but you have to pay insurance,servocing,etc.Not as good a deal, no wonder 95%(IIRC) of Motability customers go for a lease.

It really is a no brainer, if you're eligible then go for it.

[Broomsticklady]

OK, convinced - going for it with a Q3 to replace my Freeloader! Surprising how few vehicles available take a wheelchair easily tho!

Look out for the orange (I don't have to worry about resale!!) Q3 terrorising Aberdeen traffic!

[mph1977]

kowalski655 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thats good enough for the bonus-Ive known people to use their car as a kennel for their dogs-the garage refused to even touch it after a smash.
Not all cars need a deposit,or even all of the DLA...depends on how big a car you want(I was looking at £2K deposit for a 308CC for SWMBO next year.The teeny ones are very cheap) You can also use the DLA as a normal HP but you have to pay insurance,servocing,etc.Not as good a deal, no wonder 95%(IIRC) of Motability customers go for a lease.

I am unaware of any car on motability where the lease payment is less than HRM - although there are plenty of zero or nominal AP cars .

those who don;t go motability generally use their HRM as cash to either run their own vehicles or pay other transport costs - using it for a none motability lease seems to be a fairly pointless deal .

[kowalski655]

It may have changed,havent worked for DLA for a bit, but there were a few cars on a fixed lease back then(small ones) that left you a few quid over each week,and when the Mob went up each year,you get the extra.

Just had a look,a 1.2 Fiat 500 will get you a tenner left.