Motability Discount and Negotiating

Peter_Hargreaves

Hi Folks,

Is it normal practice in purchasing a car under the scheme to negotiate discount on the factory fitted optional extras, as purchase of the options (unusually) will not result in ownership? I've asked Motability and they say that dealers are free to do this.

In playing the dealers off against each other does anybody have experience of purchasing from a distant dealer? In such a case can the car be serviced and repaired etc., by a local dealer?

Also, as I have great difficulty speaking, does any body have experience of trying to negotiate a deal by email?

And finally does anybody have experience with SEAT dealers that might be helpful? We are about to purchase the Alhambra 2.0 TDI S Ecomotive 140 and would like 2 intergrated child seats priced at £390 for both seats and the Option Pack priced at £295 to get the drop down tables. Nearly £700 seems a little pricey to get our kids use (not ownership) of seats and tables.

All comments welcome.
Many thanks.
Peter

weby72

Going through the process at the moment and, if Seat are anything like Vauxhall, you've no chance. I've spoken with over a dozen different dealers and they all say the same - it's a standard price and there's absolutely no deviation from that. Even when laying it out that we'll order from whichever garage offers the best deal on the (£220) optional extra price, they won't budge.

I know margins on motability cars are tighter than with normal purchases, but the garage are going to make a few hundred quid on each sale, so I'd have thought sacrificing £100 out of, say, £300 in profit would be worth it to clinch the deal in such hard economic times.

Obviously not, and being pigheadedly stubborn is more important to them.

Limana68

We never got any deals with our Ford dealer either when we got our C Max!:(

droow

you don't pay the vat on any factory fitted extras you add on top.

bigbulldog

droow wrote: »

you don't pay the vat on any factory fitted extras you add on top.

Can you clarify that please.

pauliboo

We recently renewed our lease we went from a Qashqai Tekna to the Ford CMax Titanium 140 Auto.

The AP was £1595 and we added extras to the value of £675 = £2270

We negotiated with the dealer on the extras and got the total down to £1992.50 (extras discounted to £397.50).

You are correct that you usually can't negotiate the AP with the dealers, but you may have a chance with Motability if you tell them about your situation.

Occassionally they will help you towards the cost of the AP.

pauliboo

bigbulldog wrote: »

Can you clarify that please.

You have to pay VAT on any extras that aren't disability related like tinted windows, auto lights etc.

Only disability related items can the VAT be claimed on such as Wheelchair hoists and steering aids etc.

bigbulldog

pauliboo wrote: »

Only disability related items can the VAT be claimed on such as Wheelchair hoists and steering aids etc.

I do believe that a lot of the adaptions including steering aids and feet controls are supplied and fitted free of charge.

Parva

Interesting thread for me personally as I paid a premium to get a Ford Focus Zetec. Great car, no complaints but as one of it's duties it takes me to a hospital for amputees and I see the mirror image of my own Focus everytime, except he's not paid the even higher premium (like me) to get more stuff but his has folding mirrors. This is available as standard on the next model up (which he hasn't got). Son watched his mirrors unfold on opening his car whilst I was in physio so he's either paid for that extra or got it as a freebie (unlikely) or paid for the add-on.

Doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things and if I ever pass the guy I'll ask out of total curiosity. That said, it's unlikely as he seems to go to a different department and as it's a manual it's possibly his wife's transport.

bigbulldog

If he's got the folding mirrors then the convenience pack has been an added extra.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Its easy to work out what is and is not VAT related added extra's. Steering aids and feet controls etc are wholly and exclusively for the disabled use, whereas flicky~back mirrors, tinted windows and auto lights etc are not exclusive and of use to the disabled and non-disabled alike and are and therefor are subject to VAT.