Motability

MouldyOldDough

I am a 60 year old disabled driver, entitled to a Motability car - through PIP

I rarely drive myself nowadays (2000 miles per year), but need reliable transport

We own a 6 year old Suzuki Baleno Automatic, which has been pretty reliable so far. If I decided to go for a Motability car, my Suzuki would currently achieve £7000 from WeBuyAnyCar – but I would then lose £280 income per month from PIP.

Do I go for Motability or hang on to the Suzuki and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn’t go “wrong” ?

Insurance is currently £200 – car tax is £35 – servicing is around £400 pa

money08

Dont get a motobility car unless its going to be used a lot otherwise its big money down the drain. Cash the suzie in and buy a cheapie around a grand with full MOT and even if it only lasts a year you are still quids in.

facade

Keep the Suzuki, Suzuki make good cars, the Baleno is a Maruti Suzuki, made in India (check the VIN number, it will start with an M not a J), so keep an eye out for corrosion, although the Japanese built cars aren't a great deal better.

When it can't be repaired any more is the time to think about using your PIP on a motorbility car.

A new car is a lot more to tax too- but don't you get zero tax as disabled?.

The servicing seems expensive @ £400!  (Suzuki do offer warranty extension if you have the service done with them though until the car is 7 years old, so I'd take it somewhere cheaper next year)

Herzlos

Youd get the cash back and get a new car, but it'll cost you more.

For 2000 miles a year I'd stick with the Suzuki.

Motability makes sense if you've got high mileage, high insurance, or need a big/adapted car but it sounds like none of that applies to you.

chrisw

Motability will work out more expensive but it does give peace of mind. I guess it depends how much that's worth to you.

Bonniepurple

I would always prefer to keep my own vehicle rather than a Motability one, because if the enhanced rate goes, so does the car.  Ironically, I can barely walk but do not qualify for enhanced mobility.  My daughter, because she struggles to navigate situations, is entitled.  

Bigwheels1111

WE went down the route of buying our own car rather than Motability.

Our 5008 will be 8 years old in September.

Only 23,500 miles on the clock.

I have been saving for year 10, when it will need a Timing belt, water pump, front and rear pads, Battery if it lasts that long.

At the main dealer its £1000 all in.

Main dealer servicing is only £14.99 a month for 5 years.

So far only spent out on a set of tyres.

Keep the car you have, just get timing belt etc changed when due.

born_again

Bonniepurple said:

I would always prefer to keep my own vehicle rather than a Motability one, because if the enhanced rate goes, so does the car.  Ironically, I can barely walk but do not qualify for enhanced mobility.  My daughter, because she struggles to navigate situations, is entitled.  

Which is really the wrong way round.
If you struggle to navigate, how do you drive anywhere. 🤷‍♀️

poppy12345

born_again said:

Bonniepurple said:

I would always prefer to keep my own vehicle rather than a Motability one, because if the enhanced rate goes, so does the car.  Ironically, I can barely walk but do not qualify for enhanced mobility.  My daughter, because she struggles to navigate situations, is entitled.  

Which is really the wrong way round.
If you struggle to navigate, how do you drive anywhere. 🤷‍♀️

What makes you think that the daughter drives? Not everyone drives. There's 2 parts to Motability, moving around for physical conditions and following and planning a journey for mental health, cognitive and sensory issues. Your ability to drive a vehicle has nothing to do with the mobility part. 

MouldyOldDough said:

If I decided to go for a Motability car, my Suzuki would currently achieve £7000 from WeBuyAnyCar – but I would then lose £280 income per month from PIP.

 car tax is £35 – 

You won't lose it because of the £7,000. Though you would trade in the mobility allowance for a vehicle so yes you would receive the money as well but then you would have a new car. 

You need Enhanced mobility PIP to join the scheme. Just checking this because you mention £35 car tax for your current vehicle but you're entitled to free road tax with Enhanced mobility. 

400ixl

Stick £280 a month in a savings account and it will cover any maintenance costs and in all likelyhood give you some money to take out every so often when the pot gets too big to justify just that purpose.

MouldyOldDough

poppy12345 said:

born_again said:

Bonniepurple said:

I would always prefer to keep my own vehicle rather than a Motability one, because if the enhanced rate goes, so does the car.  Ironically, I can barely walk but do not qualify for enhanced mobility.  My daughter, because she struggles to navigate situations, is entitled.  

Which is really the wrong way round.
If you struggle to navigate, how do you drive anywhere. 🤷‍♀️

What makes you think that the daughter drives? Not everyone drives. There's 2 parts to Motability, moving around for physical conditions and following and planning a journey for mental health, cognitive and sensory issues. Your ability to drive a vehicle has nothing to do with the mobility part. 

MouldyOldDough said:

If I decided to go for a Motability car, my Suzuki would currently achieve £7000 from WeBuyAnyCar – but I would then lose £280 income per month from PIP.

 car tax is £35 – 

You won't lose it because of the £7,000. Though you would trade in the mobility allowance for a vehicle so yes you would receive the money as well but then you would have a new car. 

You need Enhanced mobility PIP to join the scheme. Just checking this because you mention £35 car tax for your current vehicle but you're entitled to free road tax with Enhanced mobility. 

Up until now I haven't bothered with the free road tax due to it being a pain in the neck to obtain - you can't do it online !
I do get enhanced mobility and care - given, last year - for 10 years