Buying ex-motability car?

Richard53

pstuart wrote: »

New VW on Motabilty have 'long life oil', first service @ 18k.

Few will see 18k over 3 years, so a service when it goes for its first MOT, before its handed back?

Sister has one and the dealer said, on collection, that they wouldn't see her again!

Does that mean that there is no time element to the VW schedule? VW are happy that the car gets no servicing for three years or more, as long as the mileage is low? I don't dispute what you say, but I am surprised.


(ETA: I see Spicy has done the research.)

pstuart

Spicy may well have done the research, but there are very 'cosy' relationships between leasing companies and manufacturers.

My report is factual as I went with her to check the car over on collection.

photome

dunroving wrote: »

Thanks, that's helpful. I never thought my post would stir up all of the pro/con the ethics of Motability aggro.


Arnold Clark are supposedly still trying to get hold of the service record, in the meantime I am looking elsewhere. Not a lot of choice round here for < £7,000, though.

Ignore the posters who only come on to argue amongst themselves.

I bought an ex mobility Avensis many years ago, its prob the best car i ever bought, it was a year old and kept it for 6 years with no issues.

I wouldnt buy from AC though and I wouldnt buy a french car, have had an 06 scenic ...never again, it had so many electrical problems

Spicy_McHaggis

pstuart wrote: »

Spicy may well have done the research, but there are very 'cosy' relationships between leasing companies and manufacturers.

My report is factual as I went with her to check the car over on collection.

The evidence suggests yiur salesman may have made a mistake.

dunroving

Just an update on the situation. I have done the following:


Obtained an AutoTrader vehicle check, came back with no issues, the mileage recorded for last October fits the current mileage (which is low - 11k). I also found out (verbally) the car was serviced and MOT'd by Arnold Clark last October, which from the AtoTrader check I know was just when the 3-year warranty period expired. This coincides with the DVLA-reported mileage that must have been from the MOT. It also confirms for me that Arnold Clark ahs had the vehicle since about mid-October. So reading between the lines, it seems a private owner had traded it in when it reached the end of its standard 3-year warranty.


Called Motability and they checked and said it was NOT a Motability vehicle. Last night, in speaking with the AC saleswoman she actually told me they had determined it was not Motability, so that also figured. It was a senior sales man who had told me it was Motability and the sales lady (who only started recently) said he had said that because he "assumed" from the low mileage that it must have been.


Called local Citroen dealer as the AC saleslady also told me their head of sales thought he remembered an old man of Asian descent bringing the car in. Citroen dealer confirmed they had serviced the car for a private owner in 2012 and 2013 and the 2013 mileage (7k) also fits the current profile.


So all in all, it is looking much more promising. Will be test-driving it tomorrow.

pstuart

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

The evidence suggests yiur salesman may have made a mistake.

We are both correct in what the book says and what the salesman said ( he had to set the onboard service computer).
There is a difference of course in theory and practice.

Her previous cars, Ford and Vauxhall, were serviced annually.

Back to the point in question, Motabilty, for at least for the last 8 years hold the documents and they are in their name. Anyone who has bought a car where the registration docs are in a private name has bought a private car with disabled exempt tax - its not an ex Motabilty fleet car.

The reason why this VW (Tiguan) was leased, and its a 3 year lease - anything under 3 years for sale is very rare, was its ease of access and its onboard parking aids.

The vehicle is used by a severely disabled person, with multple ongoing problems, to regularly visit hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, OT's any many others, all within a 15 mile radius (she lives in Manchester).

Its a diesel vehicle, which never really gets the engine warm.

It would be and I would suggest that many ex Motabilty cars would be a very poor second hand purchase, all short outings building up expensive problems for later.

The car is now some 14 months old and low mileage, not serviced as yet, and I can only report back towards the end of the lease as to its actual servicing regime.

dunroving

dunroving wrote: »

Just an update on the situation. I have done the following:


<<snip>>

Called local Citroen dealer as the AC saleslady also told me their head of sales thought he remembered an old man of Asian descent bringing the car in. Citroen dealer confirmed they had serviced the car for a private owner in 2012 and 2013 and the 2013 mileage (7k) also fits the current profile.


So all in all, it is looking much more promising. Will be test-driving it tomorrow.

Just curious, Citroen said they were happy to tell me the car was serviced in 2012 and 2013 but could not give me any of the service records because of "data protection".


I'm assuming they meant they didn't want to print off and send details/service reports because of data protection (not that I asked, mind you). But is it possible/do they have any obligation to stamp a replacement service record book if I get one? Just to confirm that the car was serviced?

dunroving

Last update!


As per previous posts, the car was not Motability, had a service record at the local (only) Citroen dealership in Glasgow, and (update) also came through with a clean record (paid for a background check).


Interestingly, another Citroen C3 Picasso I was looking at came though a vehicle check showing outstanding finance, so I didn't bother with it.


I bought the vehicle from Arnold Clark and have had it for a week now, very happy with it.


BUT ... wasn't happy with Arnold Clark for many minor things:


Telling me it was Motability when it wasn't (don't make up stories or guess at the truth, just 'fess up that you're not sure and will find out)


Suggesting on my first visit they'd throw in an additional year's warranty (value £325) when they didn't have the wherewithal to do that. The salesman assumed I'd be buying via finance, but I'd said previously I was paying cash. I did get a £200 discount on the car price, which was already pretty reasonable.


Getting a replacement user manual ... for the wrong car! They will get one for the right car, but need me to bring back the wrong one ... doh!!!


Calling me 20 minutes after I'd left asking me to drive back because they had forgotten to get me to sign two essential forms so the sale couldn't be completed.


When I picked up the car, it had a small, deep scratch that wasn't on it when I test-drove it. They are taking it in next week to fix it (proper repair and re-spray), but I'll be without it for 2 days.


Said "All cars come with 2 keys", but when I went to pick it up it only had one key ... so I have to arrange to be at home this Friday for their "key man" to come and re-key it.


I think that's about all ... not hugely ticked off at them just surprised at the minor incompetences. Their branch manager is apparently really working on customer satisfaction and wanting to bring customers back, so I figure the extended warranty and a 2-year, 2-MOT, 2-service contract I took out with them £129) will give them the opportunity to prove themselves.

Richard53

And you must hope that this level of care and attention to detail doesn't extend to the mechanics in the workshop.