Car for teenage son

GPKett

Hi,

We have been awarded motability for our younger son so we're going to we buy any car our current car. 

Our older son is 16 in a few months so will need a car in just over a year to learn in. 

Can't decide whether to keep the current car and sit it on the drive until he needs it. Any advice?

It's a 14 plate mokka with 70,000 miles. 1.6 petrol

caprikid1

Check the insurance for a 17 year old both as a learner and with a license (They differ considerable).

My gut reaction is you would be crazy to get rid of that car to Web buy any car then go looking for one. 

Personally I would insure it as a second car and run it once a week to the shops, overall that will be by far the cheapest option, car will not develop faults from being sat idle and will be ready for him, you can even get him to clean it and do basic maintenance. BUT DO CHECK THE INSURANCE !, go with a blackbox too tends to have a very positive effect on premiums.

GPKett

Thanks. It's about 450 as leaner and 1300 if he had passed

caprikid1

GPKett said:

Thanks. It's about 450 as leaner and 1300 if he had passed

You won't be getting much cheaper than that, unless you have major concerns about the car then I would keep it, can you take the Motability money for now and not buy the car IE Delay it ?

cantbelieveit23

Check this out carefully but, from my experience with a disabled relative a while ago, the Mobility allowance is provided to support the person's mobility needs, but it is not compulsory to buy/lease a vehicle through Motability.  We eventually persuaded her not to do so.  If that is still the case, all depends on your younger son's needs.  There are used adapted vehicles around with low mileage.

Mildly_Miffed

GPKett said:

We have been awarded motability for our younger son so we're going to we buy any car our current car. 

Our older son is 16 in a few months so will need a car in just over a year to learn in. 

Can't decide whether to keep the current car and sit it on the drive until he needs it. Any advice?

It's a 14 plate mokka with 70,000 miles. 1.6 petrol

You've been awarded DLA higher-rate mobility.
You can take the money, or you can forgo the money and take the Motability car - and you can change your decision at any point...

If the Mokka is doing you well at the moment, I think I'd be tempted to take the money now, and continue using the Mokka. Then, next year, consider changing to Motability and passing the Mokka to your other lad.

That way, you've not got a car sat unused and deteriorating for a year...

Grey_Critic

You propose not getting a Motability car but using the allowance to buy your own. 

IF you get the car from Motability it will be taxed/insured and maintained by them they will as part of the deal insure you to drive it.

You propose buying an 11 year old vehicle with 70k on the clock - a banger and if anything goes wrong with it YOU will be paying for it fixing and that could be very expensive.

Sit it on the driveway? Cars are meant to be driven - stood on the drive it will just rot.

QrizB

Grey_Critic said:

You propose not getting a Motability car but using the allowance to buy your own. 

I don't think they are proposing that.

They've already got the Mokka. They're wondering whether to get a Motability car *as well*.

Grey_Critic

If the son is underage then they can still get the mobility car as his carer to take the son out When he comes of age and passes his test then he will take personal responsibility. 

If for whatever reason he is unable to drive it he can still have a Motability car - lots of people do including young children. The higher allowance is intended for people with mobility issues they do not have to drive it personally - the scheme aallows for Three Named Drivers.

caprikid1

Grey_Critic said:

If the son is underage then they can still get the mobility car as his carer to take the son out When he comes of age and passes his test then he will take personal responsibility. 

If for whatever reason he is unable to drive it he can still have a Motability car - lots of people do including young children. The higher allowance is intended for people with mobility issues they do not have to drive it personally - the scheme aallows for Three Named Drivers.

I think you have misinterpreted the situation.

1. They own a Mokka 
2. Son aged 16 currently will start driving soon.
3. Younger Son has been awarded DLA.
4. They plan on becoming a 2 car household, one car on mobility one car for son.

Options
1. Sell Mokka to WBAC - Get pittance for it, lease the mobility car and then purchase another car in 12 months for eldest son to drive.

2. Keep Mokka , sit it on the drive till eldest is 17 and lease the mobility car.

3. Keep Mokka continue to use it, take DLA in cash, then lease Mobility car in 9 - 12 months when son starts to drive.

4. Keep Mokka as second car run it around till it is ready for son to use and avoid bills and inconvenience of a car being left idle.

born_again

Grey_Critic said:

You propose not getting a Motability car but using the allowance to buy your own. 

IF you get the car from Motability it will be taxed/insured and maintained by them they will as part of the deal insure you to drive it.

There are 167 (37 actual cars) for under 25 cars on the Motability list

They can also use Motability to fund some driving lessons.

OP needs to study their site for the options.

Op needs to sit down & cost out the options, as well as will Mokka be suitable for them to drive?

Op also needs to be aware that the car will be for their son use, so they will not be able to use the car for their own use such as going to work etc.