Motability car problem

shopaholic2

Hi, just seeking a bit of advice.
I have a ford B max automatic on the Motability scheme. ( anyone own one??) when I took a test drive it was a Manual as there wasn't an auto available.
Now I've had it since March, and I'm so depressed with it. It's rubbish. The response in the gears is rubbish. It doesn't go up hills very well, and can be sluggish and extremely unresponsive. Where I live there's some very steep hills!
I'd rather not have a car than this. I just don't know what to do. I've thought about going to ford with it but I'm so upset and I feel they'd be immediately defensive of their car.
I have a very weak voice so find talking on the phone very difficult hence why I've not rung Motability about this issue.
I've looked on their site to contact them but it seemed there were only specific reasons to contact them.
Can anyone offer advice?

pstuart

Please do your best to contact Motabilty fo advice, if not yourself, then someone on your behalf.

An email could be sent to them if you don't want to speak, forget their 'specific' reasons for contact, they are very approachable as I'm sure your Ford dealer would be.

We were put off by the harsh ride in a Ford Kuga and bought something different, only to find out later that the test car had 19" wheels and the car we would have ordered had 17" which made a terrific difference to the ride.

The moral is only road test what you are going to get, we've both perhaps found out the hard way.

All the best

easy

Firstly, have you had the vehicle checked by the dealer? I have a volvo which has the same powershift transmission as your B max, and I'm very happy with it (always had conventional torque converter transmissions before), including driving round the peak district. So it may be that your car isn't quite right.

I think you will have to contact motability about this, if you don't feel you can talk to them on the telephone, then can you compose an email or a letter?

In my long experience of dealing with Motability I have always found them to be very helpful, and very KIND. I'm pretty sure that no one will be shouty or cross.
You have a reason to contact them - you don't feel the car is suitable for you. If you put that to them I'm sure they will consider your situation, and act accordingly. They may be able to ask the dealer to check the car over for you, to make sure it is performing as it should.

If the car is OK, but just not right for you then motability may consider letting you change. But unless you get in touch with them you will never know !!

By the way, I NEVER take on a car without making sure I have driven the automatic transmission version I'll need. It can be difficult to find one to test, but by trying round lots of dealers (and on one occasion I paid to hire one for a day) it's possible, and essential to do it.

Get in touch with motability. They won't bite, and you can't move forward without talking/emailing them.

shopaholic2

Thanks. I've just emailed mutability. I'm really wary of taking it to ford as I feel they'd say it's me. I know it's not. Passengers have commented on it. And my husband says it's horrendous to drive.
I'll wait and see what Motability say, if they say take it to ford I will, but with my anxiety problems I'd rather not!
I can't believe the difference between the manual and the auto. It's awful.

missblue

The citizens advice bureau will ring on your behalf. You will need to book an appointment and take all the details with you and they will ring while with you.

shopaholic2

Well goodness me! I emailed them earlier today and they've already come back to me. They've been so kind and have said I can swap the car.
I honestly thought they'd insist I take it to ford to be checked out but no, I can just look for something else!
I'm so relieved.
Thank you for just giving me that push.

easy

Thanks for letting us know.

I'm so pleased that the response you have received was positive. As I said, every dealing I know about with motability they have been kind and helpful. If only other organisations could take a leaf out of their book.

Now, please make sure you test drive the model & transmission of the car you think you want. If getting an automatic to test is difficult, ask Motability to help.