Where to look for ex motability Merc A class

knightstyle

We are looking for a secondhand A class automatic but the ones we can find are either quite old or almost new. So would like to find an ex motability car. They are changed at 3 years old and I understand they go to auction but where?
We are in Gainsborough, willing to travel and have asked at local Merc dealers but no response.
Alternatively have any of you seen a good deal? Lincs, Notts, South Yorks or even Sussex as we are visiting relatives soon?

forgotmyname

Goto your local car auction Newark, Nottingham etc..

http://uk.local.yahoo.com/England/Lincolnshire/Car_Auctions/uk100006195-s-12602145.html

Having hundreds of cars through only a handful will be ex-mobility and the chance of finding an A class
in the right condition is going to be like finding a needle in a field of haystacks.

Ex lease and cars direct from companies will give you more choice, But i dont see that many of them on
the roads. Not a best selling car.

Mercedes approx 75000 cars in 2008, Less than 1/5 of what Ford and Vauxhall sold. The number of A-class
in those figure will be quite small.

Why an ex-mobility car?

Try autotrader, 1676 A class's listed. 600+ within 100 miles of you. Compare that with over 7000 Mondeo's listed
on the same search. 3600 within 100 miles.

knightstyle

Thanks for the quick reply, ex motability cars are usually a great buy, it is important to have a smallish 4 door automatic with easy access, ie not low, seating for my wife who has back problems. Just been to a Merc dealer, tried one and it fitted all the criteria. It is an 06 A150 Elegance, dealer says we can have it for just under £7500 with years Merc warranty. So we are looking for similar/newer better deal.

knightstyle

Just looked at auction sites, no A class coming up, plus Autotrader gives 1 private and 12 trade cars under 4 years old within 60 miles, none of them as good value as the Merc dealer offer.
So going to sleep on it.

bigjl

I bought an ex Motability Merc A class, three years old, A160 CDi, full merc history, 43k.

The steering had a clunk when turned, all five tyres where worn and different make, both door mirrors where broken internally and had been glued back together and it drove like it had been hammered from day one, mainly up and down kerbs if you ask me.


The demographic that has Motability cars has changed over the years, from the retired old dear to the young family that has an infirm relative and gets the car for free and treats it badly, I have looked at hundreds of Motability cars at Manheim and BCA and a large number have dents, scratches, scuffed wheels, fag burns, odd tyres (the only thing you have to pay for is tyre damage caused by misuse) and sometimes quite severe accident damage that hasn't been repaired for some reason, maybe they damaged it when they found out that their free car was being taken back.

They used to be the best used cars on the market, cared for, never hammered, sadly times have changed, not for the better in the case of Ex Motability cars.

forgotmyname

Not sure what your putting in the search but i found 141 cars within 60 miles of DN21 2NB.

All under 4 years old and prices from £4999

Do you lose money on a motability car if you damage it? Wifes friend has had scratches touched up several times
luckily her son works in a repair shop.

knightstyle

Thanks for the tip, as these cars are merc. maintained from new that does not say much about Merc. garages does it?

Hintza

HITACHI FINANCE (click link)

Have heard good reports on these cars

Edit:- Not cheap though by the looks

Hintza

http://www.wilsonsauctions.com/jet.asp

I have found this and they seem to have a few cars for sale that might suit.

BUT this is a trade only auction and you might need to talk to a friendly dealer to bid on your behalf

emmell

Some of our local used car dealers have lists of ex motability cars. Might be worth ringing round a few dealers local to you.
ML.

knightstyle

Forgotmyname, Which site are you on? I looked at Autotrader, Merc A class automatic up to 4 years old. Plus as I said most were almost new and way too much money when compared with the dealer one. As you can see not sleeping well!!!