buying 2nd hand from dealer vs. Motorbility?

blue-kat

Hi
I'm really lost and muddled in search for new car.

I currently have a w reg manual micra, and can't see out the back with wheelchair in.

I'm looking at getting an automatic, and extra driving lessons as I am inconfident driver.I need 3 rear seats for the kids. Ideally I want to stow the mobility scooter in the boot, but also considering getting a trailer for occassions I need the big scooter, rather than go up to bigger vehicle, (both more expensive + more difficult for nipping to local shops etc).

I visited renault motorbility dealer, and could get a Renault kangoo ( which I liked ) on motorbility for no deposit, but all my high rate mobility allowance. I can't really afford to give it all over, I'd have nothing left to pay for petrol ! I don't feel comfortable with leasing, as I'm not the type of person to keep a car spotless;)

I've read that wheelchair adapted vehicles are vat free, but then I've not seen any 2nd hand kangoos with the small adaptations that would suit me. in fact there aren't many automatic kangoos expression around. I ned the expression for driver's arm rest.

we've applied for additional borrowing on mortgage, to pay for home improvements, some could go towards car, + some savings, and whatever I can get for selling micra.

any tips or pointers appreciated, as it all seems really confusing. Also I'm not very mobile ATM and would prefer to buying fairly ocally to Sheffield or somewhere that delivers, which which presumably limit options for haggling.

thanks very much

peterg1965

blue-kat, I have a motability vehicle, in fact on my fourth one, it is for my disabled son. I have to say that I commend the scheme completely it is total peace of mind and it only leaves you to pay for the petrol after giving up your higher rate mobility DLA allowance. You will not get a 'VAT Free' Kangoo 2nd hand beacuse VAT is not levied on second hand passenger vehicles. If you havent been to the motability website http://www.motability.co.uk/ I suggest you have a good look on there. You can get wheelchair accessible vehicles at NIL deposit, remember the scheme covers the car, servicing, insurance, tax, so factor that in to your affordability calculations. There are motability dealers all over the country and you can get the dealer to do a 'home' visit if you need it. Make sure when you test drive that you put into the car all the kids/wheelchair etc to make sure it fits. If you want to ask me anything else please do (PM or otherwise), alternately speak to the MOtability people direct, they are very good and not pushy.

blue-kat

thanks very much for your reply.
good diea to test the vehicle with the whole crew and gadgets !

re: motorbility I not keen to lose all the allowance for a leased car, although might consider the hire purchase option,
(http://www.motabilityonline.co.uk/site/current_prices/hire_purchase/hire_purchase.htm)

I don't understand how this compares with this from Fords of Winsford:
Financial examples assume a 20% deposit and a 36 month term, unless otherwise stated. Where applicable Hire Purchase payments are calculated at 9.9% APR and PCP at 12.9% APR (8,000 miles per annum) for comparison purposes.

re: affordability
I get free road tax as it is anyway, my insurance is low, I have RAC package for disabled customer already.

thanks

julesgr

Insurance is included within the motability scheme, as are your servicing costs and relay costs.

peterg1965

Oh and another thought for what it is worth, tyres replacement is also covered by Motability. Fords of Winsford is a great place and , if you brought a car there, it would be a good buy. Their PCP scheme is relatively expensice though, you may be better off with the HP, or alternately get a cheap personal loan. Don't dismiss the Motability option until you have worked out all the figures.

jonnypb

I've heard nothing but bad reports from fords of winsford

had a drive down at the weekend and i picked out 4 fords all under 8 months old and asked about the warranties. response was the cars no longer have the ford warranties but i can sell you an AA warranty

later found out that fords of winsford buy a lot of the cars from closed auctions, the cars in these auctions are cars that manufactuers unregister and send off to an auction as they have repeated problems with them be it mechanical or electricals etc

IMO avoid like the plague!

blue_haddock

No offence Jonnypb but what a load of tosh!

They have been won many awards for being the best car supermarket over the past few years and within the trade they also have a good reputation. You cannot just 'unregister' a car and the large proportion of their vehicles are fleet and hire car disposals.

jonnypb

blue_haddock wrote: »

No offence Jonnypb but what a load of tosh!

They have been won many awards for being the best car supermarket over the past few years and within the trade they also have a good reputation. You cannot just 'unregister' a car and the large proportion of their vehicles are fleet and hire car disposals.

just quoting what a fords of winsford sales rep said - they have no way of telling you if the car carries the ford/vauxhall etc warranty. It is up to the buyer to ring a main dealer to find out thats the reason why they sell you at an additional cost an AA warranty. The woman said on past history from cars sold 80% + of the Fords they sell no longer have the ford warranty even when they're under a year old

If thats a load of tosh then that sales person needs sacked for giving false info!

Yes they had some nice looking cars, yes they can paint a good picture and I'm sure they can be very nice and helpful to get the awards from what car

plane_boy2000

FOW sound like any other car supermarket - some still have warranty some dont - its easy enough to ring ford and check before you buy, but unless the waranty terms have been breached then the warranty is still in tact.

As extended warranties carry a large commission for the sales guy I suspect he was trying to scare you into parting with a few extra quid.......

Also you cant de register a car unless you scrap it.