Dodgy VW dealer

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fast_and_the_curious

Original Poster:

1 posts

Looking for advice as I’ve been messed around badly by a VW main dealer.

After some research, I decided to go for an ID.4 through the Motability scheme. Visited a few showrooms but the salespeople lost interest as soon as I mentioned Motability. Eventually, I found one dealer who offered quicker delivery if I ordered over the phone. Signed a contract via email with a collection date and agreed £1000 upfront fee. I paid a £500 deposit (another £500 due on collection), and the car was meant to be ready by June 30th.

I kept chasing them for weeks asking when they needed my PIP paperwork, but kept getting told they were “busy” and would sort it soon. Turns out they never submitted the application and Motability doesn’t allow phone orders. By then, the price had gone up to £1700. I couldn’t afford that and only picked the ID.4 because the original £1000 fee was manageable.

At this point Motability got involved and after back and forth, they agreed to honour the original price. They again insisted on carrying out the paperwork via email and my application was officially submitted with Motability. However the price on the application said £1700, I confirmed with the dealer and I was assured the OG price was being honoured.

Now, with my collection date approaching, I chased again - only to be told my car was never ordered and they were “waiting for me to confirm the £1700”. A lie and they had not contacted me a single time since and the application on Motability was confirmed and car had been ordered. I spoke to the manager of the showroom they are now saying they don't offer discounts and I can have a car ASAP only if I pay the new price. I’m not asking for a discount - I just want what was agreed.

Spoke to Motability and even they were shocked. They’ve launched an investigation, but VW’s head office redirected me Motability.

As a disabled person, I’ve been left waiting over 4 months, lied to, and messed around. I’m desperate for the car, otherwise I’d have cancelled. Feels like blackmail: pay the higher fee or get nothing.

Do I have any legal standing here, since I’ve got confirmation of the original agreed price in contract? What can I actually do? Every single person I've dealt with has been a roadman or some young jumped up kid. what is going on?

Appreciate any help.

Sebring440

2,709 posts

110 months

An awful situation.

First contact would be with Motability, and ask their advice as to what to do.

Then, simply, find another dealer. Most value their Motab customers.

But you'll get poor advice one here, as most are Motability-haters, and haters always gonna hate.


Riley Blue

22,281 posts

240 months

Yesterday (10:37)
quotequote all
The 'fee' is an Advance Payment on the three-year Motability lease and these can go up or down. Sometimes dealers may give a discount or cash-back off the AP if they have stock to shift or have a quarterly target to hit.

Motability updates its price list every quarter (the next update is July 1st) which is when price changes, new models or deletions are announced.

The current AP for an ID.4 is either £1,599 or £2,399 depending on the model, details here:
https://www.motability.co.uk/find-a-vehicle/cars/s...

Although your car is 'to order' rather than from stock the AP shouldn't vary once the order has been placed.

I suggest you'd be better asking in a Motability forum e.g. https://forum.whichmobilitycar.co.uk rather than on PH where the scheme is often misunderstood - good luck!

Edited by Riley Blue on Saturday 28th June 14:01