Mobility Car Question

newjersey

Looking for some help. My mother is on DLA as she has difficulty walking. Recently my father got a new job, he had been at home for quite some time which was a great help to her. His new job has taken him abroad for 3mths so my mum exchanged her DLA payments for a car. She just took the 1st one she looked at as I think she was in a panic. She did a quick test drive then signed the lease/collected car a week later. This is where the problem now starts, she just can not drive it. It is a hatchback with extremely limited view, she said she just can't see out properly and what has really surprised her is (even though the car is valued at 25,000) it doesn't have parking sensors. It never occurred to her that new cars didn't have them. Now she is in tears over the whole thing.
She has severe arthritis and trying to keep turning her body to try and see where she is reversing is impossible and she can't mange on mirrors alone, it's the terrible lack of vision which has made her now afraid to drive it, not only when parking but just driving in general. I understand, as does she, that she made the decision but I don't know what to say to her. She refuses to drive it and feels so ashamed of making such a silly decision. I can't imagine what she is going to do for the next 3yrs without transport but she is genuinely too nervous to drive this particular car, purely for lack of vision purposes. Any advice ?

ab1982

You may be able to get aftermarket reverse camera or parking sensors, think you can fit them yourself or get a local garage to do it. As long as its made good when car is returned you will be fine.

newjersey

Thank you for your reply. I did have a quick look at sensors but they seemed to suggest drilling holes etc but I will look further, in addition to that it's the entire lack of vision that troubles her, she is so upset about it and just doesn't want to drive this car ever again. Perhaps when my father returns he can try and help. Thank you.

missblue

You will need permission from Motability for fitting parking sensors, but should be able to do under disabled adaptations - they might have preferred suppliers, also there maybe other adaptations that could help, ask for an adaptations test. Ring the helpline for advice, check out cool down periods etc. Good luck mobility are sticklers for the rules. They also do free driving lessons through the charity, (different helpline) if nothing else/ or ideally as well as, confidence lessons to drive the car independently due to extreme nervousness that was not expecting.

pmlindyloo

In certain circumstances they may allow you to cancel the agreement.

http://www.motability.co.uk/about-us/faqs/my-current-car-is-too-small-can-i-cancel-my-lease-agreement-or-change-cars

fed_up_and_stressed

When I contacted Motability mid agreement to advise my health was declining and my current vehicle no longer fitted my health needs they fell over themselves to help.

I was able to end my existing lease and start another with a more suitable vehicle. My advanced payment was pro rata'd for the time i'd had the car so didn't lose out.


First things first your mum needs to contact them, the staff have always been lovely to me as they appreciate they generally deal with vulnerable people. E.g the authority to end my lease due to needing the new vehicle was done and dusted in the one call - no faffing about.

In the mean time I suggest your mum gets a revolving car swivel seat to help with turning her body whilst reversing. Pretty much all disability shops / amazon / fleabay stock them. Even sitting on a carrier bag in the car would probably help her a bit.

newjersey

Thank you for your replies. I will look at getting one of those revolving seats to see if it helps. The problem of restricted view is still there, I sat in the car and I can see how restricted it is but as I'm under 25 I can't be insured so I am off little help to her. The car dealer did phone to see how she was getting on and she explained her problems, they are going to get back with a price for fitting sensors but any price is going to be difficult as my father had been out of work the last year and money is tight (I am a student & unable to assist) She is reluctant to contact mobility as she feels it is her own careless decision that has caused this and not really the fault of the car or anyone else, it never occurred to her there would be no sensors and the quick test drive wasn't enough to appreciate how restricted she was with being able to see around her, she said she was too busy concentrating on going straight ahead only. A serious lesson learnt !

rogerblack

Agree with fed-up.
If the vehicle does not fit the needs - she needs to contact motability - not the dealer.

nobby1963

Yep, me too, why don't you phone Motability and explain without them needing to go into specifics and ask them their advice but stressing your mums reticence to contact them herself as she thinks it's her own fault.
The nature of Motability I am sure they will be sensitive to the situation and advise on options.
Nobby.

stockton_2

Very good advice to contact Mobility and put the issue to them. Stress the difficulty of driving as you have here. It is a safety issue.

Agree with your mum that you would expect new cars nowadays to have sensors. My partner's ten year old Nissan Micra has them. I wouldn't go down the road of putting new ones in. She is not happy with the car and that will not solve the problem. She needs to get rid.

I bought an old Vauxhall Agila especially because of its wide angle of vision. Wouldn't be without it. Could not go back to small windowed cars.

Tell her to stop beating herself up over this. We all make errors of judgment, especially when under stress. She needs to speak to Motability. There must be some mechanism for dealing with problems like this.

Cyclamen

please phone motability and explin.

my mum had to give up her car before contract ended.. she just couldnt drive it anymore due to health... they were fab and took it back early and her dla started again. I didnt expect the money to start was just asking if they'd take car away.

they might eb able to help ... you can call on her behaf if she is there to give permision