Buying ex-motability car?

dunroving

I just looked at a 2011 C3 Picasso at Arnold Clark and after a few questions about the "1 previous owner", it turns out it is an ex-motability car. I asked if I could see all the service records and they interestingly weren't available but they said they were going to contact the previous owner to ask questions and get the documentation.

The car has low mileage (11k) and looks in very good nick. They said it hadn't been adapted in any way and that often Motability drivers are driven by the spouse of the person who qualifies for Motability. They also said Motability is very strict on servicing, e.g., that it will have had to be serviced by Citroen.

So, I am thinking about going back to test drive it, but here are a couple of concerns I have:

Are there any issues with buying an ex-Motability car, provided it hasn't had any adaptations? Will insurance be an issue, for example (I assume it won't)?

I read online that taxing an ex-Motability car can be a problem because you have to apply for the tax category to be changed and that during this time, the car must be kept off the road. Anybody know about this?

Is it likely Arnold Clark will have bought the car at auction? I was a little suspicious that they told me all service documents are usually kept in the cars but then after they went to get them, it turned out they weren't there.

My gut is just a wee bit suspicious, but then I have also found some Web posts saying ex-Motability cars can sometimes be a good buy. 11k miles in 4 years is pretty good mileage, for example.

If there weren't so few of these cars for sale (only 3 petrol ones in the whole of Glasgow!) I'd just look elsewhere but I don't have the luxury. Sold my car at the weekend and need to find another within a week.

forgotmyname

Dont assume they are all driven by little old ladies that only pop to the shop on sunday for a tin of catfood.

A few years back when we had the snowy weather i was at the inlaws, its a complex of OAP's.
Several cars were left running with the heaters going to melt ALL the snow on them. We were there approx 20 minutes and some were still parked with the engines running. Thats terrible for the life of an engine. Lots more wear on the engine than starting it up and driving it gently until warmed.

So few of them? I put 50 miles from Glasgow and there are 94 on the autotrader site.

Get the bodywork inspected for paint repairs.

dunroving

forgotmyname wrote: »

Dont assume they are all driven by little old ladies that only pop to the shop on sunday for a tin of catfood.

A few years back when we had the snowy weather i was at the inlaws, its a complex of OAP's.
Several cars were left running with the heaters going to melt ALL the snow on them. We were there approx 20 minutes and some were still parked with the engines running. Thats terrible for the life of an engine. Lots more wear on the engine than starting it up and driving it gently until warmed.

So few of them? I put 50 miles from Glasgow and there are 94 on the autotrader site.

Get the bodywork inspected for paint repairs.

Yes, I am trying to get more information from them - interested to see if they follow through with a call.

Most of them are diesel. I'm looking for a petrol. Of the 21 within 50 miles I have discounted a few because of answers to email queries. Within 10 miles there are hardly any. I plan to drive to Livingston and Stirling to see a couple also.

Hoof_Hearted

Re-taxing them is no longer a problem and can be done at the post office. Most dealers will do this for you.

I would say just judge the car on its merits. There are a lot of low mileage ex-motability cars around and some are excellent value. Servicing is free and they all have a full service history. You should be able to get a print out.

Not sure about Arnold Clark, though. The reviews are truly shocking. A Citroen wouldn't be my first choice either. Other than that....

vansboy

Motability are THE largest fleet operator in UK, so you will have lots of their vehicles around, once you start looking.

Some will have low or very low miles, which may well be worse, as already mentioned, depending on it's use and user.

Look out for lots of minor damage, to the bodywork and interior, as people who suffer mobility issues themselves, can cause damage through just using the vehicle in a manner that they are unable to avoid, which does sometimes cause this.

You may find seats which have been cleaned due to being soiled and look out for cigarette burns and smoke damage, too.

Don't believe 'proper' servicing has been covered, as it quite often gets forgotten.

The dealer will sort taxation changes when you buy it.

Also look for negative reports regarding Arnold Clark, especially the added fee to the cost price, as their admin charge.

When I had my business I sold many Motability vehicles, but did have to look them over in detail before I bought them, so please make sure you do as well.

VB

mchale

dunroving wrote: »

Are there any issues with buying an ex-Motability car

As already stated can be driven (or ragged round) by family members IE grandson, granddaughter, niece, nephew or anyone they care to put on the insurance (up to 3 drivers I think), also check it's not been clocked, bear in mind possible higher than average depreciation in future.

Spicy_McHaggis

vansboy wrote: »

Motability are THE largest fleet operator in UK, so you will have lots of their vehicles around, once you start looking.

Some will have low or very low miles, which may well be worse, as already mentioned, depending on it's use and user.

Look out for lots of minor damage, to the bodywork and interior, as people who suffer mobility issues themselves, can cause damage through just using the vehicle in a manner that they are unable to avoid, which does sometimes cause this.

You may find seats which have been cleaned due to being soiled and look out for cigarette burns and smoke damage, too.

Don't believe 'proper' servicing has been covered, as it quite often gets forgotten.

The dealer will sort taxation changes when you buy it.

Also look for negative reports regarding Arnold Clark, especially the added fee to the cost price, as their admin charge.

When I had my business I sold many Motability vehicles, but did have to look them over in detail before I bought them, so please make sure you do as well.

VB

You could say that for any used car. I don't think everyone with mobility problems !!!!!! themselves either.

forgotmyname

Restricting yourself to 10 miles will limit what your going to buy and you may choose something thats not quite right.

There is the opposite effect also. That travelling a long way to see a car may make you think i dont want to go back empty handed.

Ive done over 600 miles in the last 2 weeks looking for a car.

The one i am buying is 60 miles away..

dunroving

Thanks folks, some helpful comments (and some amusing ones, too!)

colino

The Unholy Trinity, over-priced, over-rated C3, AC and ex-Motability. Forget the age, dial into Autotrader the budget you have to spend and test drive a few Fiestas and Focuss (Foci?) compared to the flat C3.

loskie

Cars bought at Auction? Most dealers do.

Fleet Cars properly serviced? Not always the case,margins are tight and repairs and servicing is screwed right down.

A lot of motobility cars I have seen lined up at auction often look unloved. It's a free car and many treat it with little or no respect.

Arnold Clark?? Well read reviews and make up your own mind!

11000m in 4yrs not that good. A car is better to be used.

You don't say how much.