New Car Time

[Trecelyn]

Normally this is a nice time. With all the recent proposed changes,however, it doesn't feel as nice. I normally don't mind paying a bit of a deposit to get a better spec on the vehicle. I was looking at a Ford Fiesta Titanium at £150 deposit. A lot of extras for what would work out at less than a pound a week.
However, if I am taken off DLA I presume I would have to return my car,thus losing any deposit I've paid (appeal or not).
This has taken the edge of my choice a bit. There are plenty on nil deposit but I don't feel as excited as I have in the past.

Anyone else in this situation ?

[andypandy]

I suppose it depends on what kind of car you need as to whether you need to pay any extra. For example I can't have a car that has a boot as my wheelchair won't fit into it, so I HAVE to pay extra, but if I could get away with paying less then I would.

So I suppose I am saying - it's your choice, but do try to enjoy it, we have no idea what the future holds right now as far as changes to DLA so I would carry on as normal and choose a nice bright colour :-)

[treborc]

I suspect it will take a few years to get up the new medicals and sort who is going to keep DLA.

I would not worry about paying the deposit, I just had £250 back because my car was returned in good condition, I used this for the deposit.

But if we all worried all the time about everything we hear, we end up going bonkers, get a cr and enjoy it.

[Trecelyn]

Thanks for your replies. Think I'll go for my original choice.
Yes , Andypandy, I'll not choose black again. Thought it looked good at the time but a nuisance in whole. I quite like the green in the Ford colours. The OH isn't too chuffed tho.

yes, Treborc. Trouble is there is so much being written at the moment it's getting harder to know what to believe and who/what to trust. One article earlier I read said they may not call people in depending on the records of the DWP. Then I read another article recently about a person who had a life threatening condition that was declared 'fit for work'.

Just enjoy it while I can and see what happens.

[trickiedickie]

June 2010 we went for the Peugeot 3008 Crossover and have never regretted doing it. Carry's my Wheelchair/Transportable Electric Scooter. Has a split boot. Carry's all our shopping in the boot and nothing goes in the cabin. The rear seat also splits and fold down if required. Its Diesel and on a run acheives 62 MPG and also econonmical around town. Its a semi auto. Only one regret wish we had gone for purchase knowing what we know now. Still enjoying the motor dispute all whats going on if it happens?
TD

[trickiedickie]

Forgot to say shopping goes in boot when ive got either my wheelchair or scooter on board. I also paid a deposit £499 but the manual was £199 deposit. If your intrested the Nissan Note Full Spec 4 door hatchback auto is on nil deposit till end March and manual.
TD

[Paul]

To answer the original question.

Motability advance payments should not be viewed as deposits, they are an extra charge added to the total cost of the car over 3 years.
Therefore if you were to end the motability contract early you will get a pro-rata refund.

ie. If the Advance Payment (AP) was £300, and you cancelled after 10 months, you would receive a pro-rata award of £216

The calculation is: Total Advance Payment (£) divided by Total Contract Length (in months) multiplied by Remaining Contract Length (in months)

(£300 AP / 36 months x 26 remaining months = £216 )

Please note though, there is a charge for ending contracts early (usually £250), although this fee is often waived if the customer has financial difficulties. Just call motability and speak to an advisor about your situation.

Cheers

Paul

[Trecelyn]

Thanks trickiedickie and paul for your information. Sorry for the delayed reply.

I wasn't aware of the initial deposit situation. I just call it "deposit" instead of Advance Payment as that's what some of the dealers (and myself) call it. Just habit.

[Lighttouch]

I have a Motability lease hire car. It's an automatic Renault Scenic. It's the second one I've had as it meets all my disability needs. It's high up so easy to get in and out. There's a double skin floor which means there's no foot sill to catch my dropped foot. They have bucket seats so I can sit comfortably and feel supported as I have a twisted spine. I have reversing sensors added at extra cost as I can't turn my head due to having had major neurosurgery there any years ago. The model I have has an electronic handbrake on the door side which is great as my left arm doesn't work.I can operate the window wipes and radio using my good right hand. I also have a steering ball as I drive one handed.

Well as you can imagine the initial deposit isn't cheap and things like a car alarm and reversing sensors just cost more.

My three year contract came to an end last November. On the new Scenic they've bowed to public pressure and put the electronic hand brake on the other side - disaster!

Motability will normally extend your lease if you've done under 20,000 miles - I've done more than that. I asked if I could either buy it off them or extend the lease as the car, with it's adaptations, suits my needs. They were very helpful and despite the higher mileage, allowed me to extend the lease for another two years without a deposit. After that I might buy it off them - depends how high the insurance is!

[treborc]

Well I find going to an auction better then buying off Motability, they tend to charge you the upper price of the book value, so may be tracking the car until it's sold and going to bid for it better.

But the insurance is another problem, once we go onto mobility and the RSA insurance you lose your no claims bonus and will have to start again, but I'm told if you have had no accidents RSA will if they feel nice give you back some of your no claims.

MY grandson is going through his driving tests, so we tried to get him a small car 1.1 ltr vauxhaul, Dear god they wanted £1800 for insurance.