Do you want an ex-Motability car?

motorguy

GlynD wrote: »

now the readers of the threads will be able to get their hands on ex-Motability cars at a knock down price.

Have a look at that link - most of the cars that have been graded so far have a grading of 'C' or 'D', this means that they are in need of repairs due to neglect / lack of care by the previous driver.

The 'A' grade stock (ie, the stuff you'd want) will have already been bought up directly by the main / franchised dealers, meaning only the poorer quality cars - or the ones the main dealers dont want - get to auction.

Also, you are no more likely to get a 'bargain' than by buying any ex fleet car at auction.

GlynD

spacey2012 wrote: »

I am amazed that this benefit of a brand new car to drive around in has survived the cuts.
It has to be because it is a bit of a scam to put public money in to the hands of business directly.

It didn't survive the cuts untouched. Many of the more expensive models were taken off the list because it was harder for the charity to maintain them with the individual payment system.

It's not a scam though. Funding for personal transport is provided by the government so somebody thought it made sense to provide cars under contract hire on a fixed price basis to allow the disabled guaranteed personal freedom. It also injects valuable cash into the motor industry, although the profits on Motability vehicles are much less than they are for straightforward retail, even though there's no guaranteed volume for most manufacturers. I think we could take it for granted though that certain makers like Ford, Vauxhall, etc who provide small reliable runabouts could predict Motability sales fairly accurately in advance.

GlynD

motorguy wrote: »

Totally agree. Though you would have to weigh up if the car you are being offered via motability is (a) exactly the car you want and (b) possibly available no more expensive elsewhere and with a more suitable spec.

There's also financial viability to think of though. Many of the cars available to me through Motability wouldn't ordinarily be within my financial grasp as a pensioner and Motability also provide full maintenance and insurance. That was the clincher for me. My current car was nil deposit and costs me £150 a month less than I was paying for on HP and insurance on my last Audi. I am technically not Motability however. I am a war pensioner which means I'm entitled to a car at nil deposit when it would cost a civilian £1,000 up front.

motorguy wrote: »

Yes. Agreed. As i said they just need to be careful they're getting a 'bargain'.

I think you have to bear in mind that quite a few motability cars are not nursed and can end up being rather shabby and in need of body repairs at 3 years old.

If you are otherwise looking for a three year old car, you'd be as well just to go to a fleet auction rather than 'assume' specifically that a motability car will be better.

I think those comments bring us back to the original point of my post then, that: if you know someone with a Motability car and know it's well looked after and reliable, you can get that car by applying directly to Motability if you know when it's being handed back. Motability will check it over, service it, put a good 12 month warranty on it and charge you a retail price. So that choice is there.

motorguy wrote: »

Have a look at that link - most of the cars that have been graded so far have a grading of 'C' or 'D', this means that they are in need of repairs due to neglect / lack of care by the previous driver.

The 'A' grade stock (ie, the stuff you'd want) will have already been bought up directly by the main / franchised dealers, meaning only the poorer quality cars - or the ones the main dealers dont want - get to auction.

Also, you are no more likely to get a 'bargain' than by buying any ex fleet car at auction.

Agreed. The same hazards apply to these low grade Motability vehicles as apply to ex-fleet cars.

You seem to know what you're talking about so may I ask you, with reference to the information given in this thread so far, what advice would you give to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the Motability resale policy (retail).

motorguy

GlynD wrote: »

There's also financial viability to think of though. Many of the cars available to me through Motability wouldn't ordinarily be within my financial grasp as a pensioner and Motability also provide full maintenance and insurance. That was the clincher for me. My current car was nil deposit and costs me £150 a month less than I was paying for on HP and insurance on my last Audi. I am technically not Motability however. I am a war pensioner which means I'm entitled to a car at nil deposit when it would cost a civilian £1,000 up front.

Apologies - i meant "offered via EX-motability", as in ex motability cars. My bad. Definitely a worthwhile scheme.

GlynD wrote: »

I think those comments bring us back to the original point of my post then, that: if you know someone with a Motability car and know it's well looked after and reliable, you can get that car by applying directly to Motability if you know when it's being handed back. Motability will check it over, service it, put a good 12 month warranty on it and charge you a retail price. So that choice is there.

Indeed. And lots are well cared for.

GlynD wrote: »

Agreed. The same hazards apply to these low grade Motability vehicles as apply to ex-fleet cars.

Yes, the ones that get to auction may not be as good as the ones you can get direct from Motability at end of scheme.

GlynD wrote: »

You seem to know what you're talking about so may I ask you, with reference to the information given in this thread so far, what advice would you give to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the Motability resale policy (retail).

I would say -

(a) check the price its being offered at compared to other retail prices. The reparitory costs, valet, service, handover warranty and admin all cost Motability in the same way as they cost a regular dealer, so the saving may not be as much as you'd think.

(b) bear in mind motability wont want your current car so you will have to dispose of it.

(c) check out the details of the warranty, and more importantly, look at the exceptions. A main dealer will be offering a "close to" manufacturers warranty when they resell a 3 year old car whereas a third party warranty could have limitations.

(d) make sure the car you are being offered is the car you really want. For example, it could be a ford focus 1.8i Auto Ghia Estate car thats £2,000 cheaper than what it might be in a dealership, but its still £500 more expensive than the 1.6i manual 5 door Zetec you really wanted.

(e) try to get sight of the car before you commit and before they do reparatory work.

(f) Dont "assume" all motability cars have been nursed. Many have but many have been ploughed through.

(g) If the car turns up and its not totally "as described", get on to motability straight away and insist on a price correction.

(h) if the car is a common one, check what they're making at the local fleet auction. For example a 3 year old 1.2 Clio will be ten a penny at auction, and you could maybe get a better spec / better choice for the same money or less.

motorguy

GlynD wrote: »

It didn't survive the cuts untouched. Many of the more expensive models were taken off the list because it was harder for the charity to maintain them with the individual payment system.

It's not a scam though. Funding for personal transport is provided by the government so somebody thought it made sense to provide cars under contract hire on a fixed price basis to allow the disabled guaranteed personal freedom. It also injects valuable cash into the motor industry, although the profits on Motability vehicles are much less than they are for straightforward retail, even though there's no guaranteed volume for most manufacturers. I think we could take it for granted though that certain makers like Ford, Vauxhall, etc who provide small reliable runabouts could predict Motability sales fairly accurately in advance.

+1

The scheme itself is superb and very beneficial to those who need it most.

The "scam" is those who exploit it - fortunately Motability seem to be closing that loop as time goes on

GlynD

motorguy wrote: »

+1

The scheme itself is superb and very beneficial to those who need it most.

The "scam" is those who exploit it - fortunately Motability seem to be closing that loop as time goes on

Thank you for the advice you've given to all of us on post #25. That's very useful information and I hope it helps others to get a good deal on cars, especially ex-Motability.

Closing the scams can only help those of us who depend upon the scheme so I'm all for eliminating any fraud.