Motability and Optional Extras to order?

JamesPeter

Hello,

I spoke to both Motability and the car dealer last week however I forgot to ask one important question (I hope it is okay to post this here as opposed to the motoring section - I thought people here may have more knowledge of Motability).

The question being, is there any limit, pricewise or otherwise, on the optional extras one can order with a new car on the scheme?

I never had this problem last time I ordered a car on the scheme as the car had everything I needed at the time. This time however due my disability I would like to have an electric powered drivers seat, heated drivers seat and a reversing camera fitted.

Also for safety I would like the 'City Pack' which has emergency brake applicatin to prevent an accident and lane departure warning etc. It also comes with an automatic parking function which could be helpful.

I know this will increase the price considerably if I am allowed to order them, however is there also any chance of haggling over the optional extras prices?

Many thanks

James

Richie-from-the-Boro

That would depend on whether optional extras or modifications such as rear parking sensors and electrically folding mirrors, electric powered drivers seat, heated drivers seat and a reversing camera fitted etc are considered 'adaptations' - some items for example electric windows or air conditioning will increase the amount you need to pay to your dealer upfront so the best thing to do is discuss it clearly with the dealers rep. Best of luck.

CTcelt1988

You can try haggling for options, some dealers do reduce the options, as they will make money out of it.

Tigsteroonie

I think it would depend on whether the individual option is required due to your disability (an adaptation) - in which case it would be included in the motability order - or an extra that you would like to add - in which case you'd pay the dealer direct (and could haggle).

JamesPeter

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

That would depend on whether optional extras or modifications such as rear parking sensors and electrically folding mirrors, electric powered drivers seat, heated drivers seat and a reversing camera fitted etc are considered 'adaptations' - some items for example electric windows or air conditioning will increase the amount you need to pay to your dealer upfront so the best thing to do is discuss it clearly with the dealers rep. Best of luck.

Thanks.

I am a little confused now, albeit I know it doesn't take much to confuse me.

Is there a difference between 'options' and 'adaptions'? I thought adaptions were such as the hoist I will be getting fitted for my wheelchair and a steering ball ie things listed in the Motability managed adaptions list.

The electric and heated drivers seat and reversing camera are listed as 'optional extras' in the car brouchure and that I need to order to be fitted in the manufacture of the car, but you seem to be saying these are also 'adaptions' as I need them for my disability?

Thanks

James

System

They only become adaptions if there is a need for them to be fitted for your disability. E.G. I don't think any argument could say that electrically folding mirrors are needed to assist any disability however there may be a case for electrically heated seat if you have a circulation problem

If you want them because they are nice to have then they are not adaptions and you will probably have to pay toward them

harveybobbles

I think adaptions are things like hoists, steering knobs, hand controls for brake/throttle.

And you don't normally get much (or any) discount on options on a Motability car.

JamesPeter

harveybobbles wrote: »

I think adaptions are things like hoists, steering knobs, hand controls for brake/throttle.

And you don't normally get much (or any) discount on options on a Motability car.

Thanks,

That is what I was more or less told by Motability when I rang them yesterday morning and then again by the car sales chap when I popped into the dealership after work yesterday.

At least I now know I can order whatever options off the optional extras list that I want - there is no limit fortunately. It is likely the cost of the options will exceed the advance payment!! I am hoping to put my car order in at the weekend.

Plus Autochair will be fitting the wheelchair hoist, steering ball etc. I have to arrange this at the time of the ordering.

James

harveybobbles

You may find that some options might be limited to mainstream buyers such as private & fleet.

At least thats what we were told when my OH ordered their car in Feb.

Derwent

harveybobbles wrote: »

You may find that some options might be limited to mainstream buyers such as private & fleet.

At least thats what we were told when my OH ordered their car in Feb.

Depends on the dealership. In some cases you can order as many optional extras as you want but you pay full price for them over and above the advance payment. e.g. if the advance payment is £1,000 and you order £2,000 of extras then you will be paying the dealership £3,000 when you collect the car.

JamesPeter

Well, all being well I should be ordering my Seat Leon FR Technology Pack DSG today.

I hopefully will be specifying a few options, as providing the car is reliable, I may look to purchase it after the lease runs out in 3yrs time. Hence I would like to 'future proof' it as much as possible to cope with my disability which may worsen over time.

All I need to do now is find out where my wife has hidden my driving licence!

Thank you all posters in this thread for your assistance.

James