Honda discrimination.

HillStreetBlues

I remember when they only came in blue. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invacar

Mildly_Miffed

I wondered how long until the Daily Mail believers arrived.

For the benefit of those who genuinely don't know:
Somebody is entitled to PIP enhanced-rate mobility benefit.
They can choose to give that up, entirely, in exchange for a Motability car.
They can choose to pay an up-front component which varies according to the car.

The scheme costs the government EXACTLY nothing - the government pays EXACTLY the same whether the person takes the PIP money or uses it for a Motability car.

Herzlos

knightstyle said:

I think all those colours are available at no extra cost, we have to pay £2499 up front plus any extras such as red colour, car mats, boot liner etc.
We haven't used Motability for over 20 years always buying older cars but as I said our costs, particularly insurance for carers etc. have risen dramatically so we thought we would try it.

The insurance for carers thing is something I'm trying to figure out. How did you do it on a private car: getting them a separate policy or adding to yours or via an agency or some other way?

knightstyle

I know it makes MSE sense to own a car but taking into account all the costs we are trying motability. It gives peace of mind.
Cost £2499 up front and £77 a week from DLA.
Yes insuring carers to drive is a problem, they take her to appointments and clubs when I am not able to.  Years ago we could easily add one to our insurance for a few days or longer for a small fee, but now this is impossible or costs a fortune.

born_again

Herzlos said:

knightstyle said:

I think all those colours are available at no extra cost, we have to pay £2499 up front plus any extras such as red colour, car mats, boot liner etc.
We haven't used Motability for over 20 years always buying older cars but as I said our costs, particularly insurance for carers etc. have risen dramatically so we thought we would try it.

The insurance for carers thing is something I'm trying to figure out. How did you do it on a private car: getting them a separate policy or adding to yours or via an agency or some other way?

Motability ins is via Direct Line & there is a option to have carers added to policy. Think it's a open policy as they call it.
They do not need a separate policy

https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/faqs/add-drivers/

Open insurance policies

These can be helpful to make sure multiple carers can use the vehicle.

You can get them if the customer lives in or is eligible to live in a residential care home, nursing home or school, or needs 24-hour care.

Herzlos

Sadly we're not eligable for motability, so looking into the horrific option of doing it ourselves

teaselMay

Herzlos it's worth looking at Marmalade I think it is and the other companies aimed at young drivers. A friend's son is in a band and one of their vehicles was used regularly as the 'gig bus' with whichever driver needed it just added for a couple of days at a time.

One of the reasons I stopped using Motability was it was incredibly difficult to change drivers. Ironically they couldn't cope with me being deaf, three people - including me who couldn't hear a thing being said - needed to take part in a phone call in order for them to change a driver. Annoyingly I paid the extra to have a 3rd driver but never managed to actually add that driver in the year before I gave my car back and bought an old van instead. Whilst it does like to eat money occasionally my trusty van has saved me a fortune and a lot of frustration

knightstyle

Yes, that is what we will be going for, some named drivers and then employed carers.  I will add that our insurance cost over £500 without the carers, just 3 drivers. Then putting several carers on made it £1700.  Other extra costs included adaptations for my wife to drive and the car must be fully automatic plus of course interest on a car loan.   Only looked as our car is now 11 years old and starting to cost in repairs.
I would have gone for electric but my wife was nervous about this after all the scare stories.
All this is why we are now going for Motability.  Hope it works out but we can go back to owning in 3 years if not.