NHS Fleetsolutions - anyone got one?

Ultrasonic

moohound wrote: »

Don't know if it has a particulate filter or not, when I get it serviced they do some flush thing which costs £32 extra.

That will be an engine flush, nothing to do with a DPF. My guess is that your car doesn't have one, but have a look in the manual. Or do a spot of Google research.

Another concern is it does not have ISOFIX points and I would prefer to use isofix car seats. Also the sliding doors would be good when doing the school run, as the school car park is bedlam (which I only do once a week, I work full time but over 4 days)

Another option to consider would be buying a second hand car which has these features.

moohound

I have 9 massive defaults (see signature) and would never get a loan or finance, I have savings but they are for other specific things and for emergencies.

I usually keep cars until 10 years old but this one doesn't seem to do all I need it to, Diesel ( seemed like a good idea at the time), no isofix, and I think the B MAX would.

I used to have an old (Y reg) Picasso and I miss the load lugging ability, and it had isofix, should have got another one instead of the fusion

Ultrasonic

moohound wrote: »

I have 9 massive defaults (see signature) and would never get a loan or finance, I have savings but they are for other specific things and for emergencies.

Ah. You may of course also find that you can't get a car via the NHS scheme for the same reason - I have no idea either way.

I usually keep cars until 10 years old but this one doesn't seem to do all I need it to, Diesel ( seemed like a good idea at the time),

What is the problem with it being a diesel now? It will be giving you better fuel economy than a similar petrol engined vehicle, and it doesn't appear to be causing you any problems?

no isofix, and I think the B MAX would.

If isofix is the big concern then one option would be to sell your current car and to buy a replacement for the same money. The risk with this approach though is that you may end up buying a car with more faults than your current one.

Not trying to push you in any particular directions here, just going through some things to think about.

Confusedandneedhelp

If u do under 3500 miles a year ur much better off using ur own car. Over that and the trust should over a lease car which for example my friend gets paid £6 a month to have.

moohound

Thanks for all the input, will just keep the Fusion for now and start another savings pot for its eventual replacement, something like a C4 picasso maybe.

It just seemed reasonable value for money for what you get thats all.

Ultrasonic

Confusedandneedhelp wrote: »

If u do under 3500 miles a year ur much better off using ur own car. Over that and the trust should over a lease car which for example my friend gets paid £6 a month to have.

I suspect you are talking about using a vehicle for NHS business here? I may be wrong, but I don't believe that the OP drives any significant distance on NHS business, but is rather considering the option as a way of getting a new car for commuting to work and for normal day-to-day driving.

moohound

I do zero business miles, the car is just for commuting and family use.

Confusedandneedhelp

Sorry I misunderstood.

bigjl

A mate that lives in Sunderland has a Hyundai i30 diesel leased via this scheme.

Best thing he has ever done he reckons.

He is rather hard on cars and does more than 20k a year getting to work as he works for YAS not NEAS.

Fairly difficult to get info on it in some NHS Trusts.

Only people i knew that used it were the staff in flexible fleet.

They all had fancy Audis and VWs

barbiedoll

I've got a fleet car through the NHS scheme and although it is a cheap way to drive a new car, you will have to pay more income tax as it is seen a a "taxable benefit".

As far as I know, you will only be eligible for the NHS scheme if you need a car for your actual work, I carry out home visits, which is how I came to get mine.

Your defaults shouldn't make any difference to your application, the money is deducted from your wages so I don't think that they need a credit reference check. Or if they do, they aren't too strict, I'm on a DMP and have a few defaults but I still got the deal!

The NHS mileage reimbursement rate is woefully low so you won't save much money there.

And of course, if you leave your job before the 3 years are up, you will have to pay the exit penalty. Or if you decide that the car isn't suitable, you will be stuck with it for the full term. A colleague of mine has found that he would prefer an automatic (for medical reasons), but he can't get out of his contract.

Mine is a tiny car and costs me around £100/month. It's not really very MSE but like you, I want and need the reliability.