Motability questions

Tran

We're looking to renew our car. We are looking at either a Vauxhall Zafira or a Citroen Picasso C4. My OH gets HRM of DLA so motability becomes an option. We have never had a motability car before and, on the surface, it looks like the scheme would suit us. My problem is that I am looking for the catch and I can't find it!!!

OH is the only person who can drive in our house so we won't fall foul of the T&Cs of the car being for the use of the disabled person. We're confident we'll be under 60 000 miles a year (about 50 000 miles).

• Can you take the motability car on the continent for holidays (within the EU)? Is there a charge to take it out of the UK?

• Will the free breakdown cover that you get with the motability car cover you on the continent? (i.e. is there an extra cost here for us to pay if we take the car abroad).

• What is the excess that you have to pay if you do have to claim on the motability car insurance policy?

I am really wary of getting stung when you hand the car back after 3 years. We live in a good area and would park the car in our yard during the day and garage the car overnight. We're confident we wouldn't have jelous neighbours scratching the car and we do tend to look after our property. However, I am worried we'll get stung when we return the car for every tiny mark.

• Can anyone tell me how strict they are when they inspect the car after 3 years?

• Has anyone got information about motability grants? (i.e. if you can't afford the advanced payment etc) What other things do they give grants for please? (other than driving lessons)

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Tran

lil_me

https://www.motability.co.uk would be the best place to seek advice.

Insurance http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=CINS

The after hire checks are strict, I remember a friend having to pay for a small door dent which would have been made by someone opening the door onto the car, I wouldn't have noticed if she haddn't pointed it out.

I am unsure about continental travel, I don't know anyone who has managed to afford to travel abroad with a mobility vehicle but I am sure the breakdown is UK for roadside and homestart, I haven't seen European cover mentioned

http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=CFIS info on grants possible from charities

[Deleted User]

just to point out the mileage allowance is 60,000 over THREE years not per year.

alison99_2

Motability are a lot more relaxed now about any small scratches and dents on the bodywork which can be caused by you with any mobility aids (accidently of course).
If you do have to pay excess for any damage it's £75.00 a pop.
If you do that kind of mileage a year,:eek: I wouldn't recommend a Motability car as you'll be heavily penalised for excess mileage, I've only done 27,000 and my car goes back in 5 months.

Tran

Thank you for your comments.
P.S. I made a typo, sorry.... I meant 60 000 miles over THREE years!

earthmother

I believe you can take the vehicle overseas - I think you have to phone the insurers etc to get yoor cover amnded - but we've never tried it so don't know how simple/difficult it is.


As to the grants - they're available for down payments, costs of adaptations, and in some cases driving lessons, and are means tested.

You do still have to contribute a sum towards the vehicle - the amount is decided upon from your income, and is £200 at the minimum.

If you are thinking of applying for a grant, get that done before you order the car - you cannot apply for the grant after the car has been ordered (if you do, they'll either deny the grant, or make you cancel that particular order and start all over again). Whilst the grants system should be a straightforward phone call/computerised form, for the larger vehicles such as MPVS, they are increasingly checking up and requiring paper applications and visits. We're in the process of ordering a Galaxy under the scheme - the grants system has held the application up by a couple of months, as despite them originally advising us it was a 'given' (we'd had a grant before with no hassle), when it actually came to it, they wanted to come and assess hubby with the vehicle at the showroom before releasing the grant (hence before the car could be ordered).

At the end of the day though, even if you do end up with the longwinded version, it's a worthwhile scheme - the Galaxy we've recently ordered will be our third vehicle with Motability (second grant aided).

colin13

yes I am 100% sure u can take car overseas just let them know in advance the break down cover is excellent,,if thye cant repair it it is arranged tht u get a hire car for the duration of the repair as stated £75 excess which aint no worse than u would pay normally u can get a lot of cars tht may b sutiable for u with no advance payment ie ford focus c max which is wot I drive u also get un limited free tyre from kwik fit if u like me this lease keep bursting tyres by running over the only nail etc lying on road in a 100 miles:) which in its self is a good saving adapations if wot they call standard r basically free but mention this to the person in the garage u r going to deal with all in all IMO i think it is a great thing to do,, I am only 9 mnths away from ordering my 3 rd car and i am already looking around to c wot is avaliable at the mo and to c the diffrent cars I like the look of the volvo s 40 I think just now nil advance payment by the sound of the cars u r looking for tht is the type of car i will prob get again for ease of getting in and out the c max was a big diffrence from the ford focus
wish u good luck in what u decide and as said b 4 I will not b with out a motabilty car ever even if it gets to stage where wife has to have a shot of it

Paul_Varjak

When I enquired about taking the car overseas I think they said to call the insurers to arrange it at no extra cost; as you do not have the V5 (car registration document) you have to get a V103 (from the RAC I think at no cost). You may also want extra RAC breakdown cover too (at a price).

Motability now offers some simple car adaptions at no cost whatsover.