Discussion
In theory they are a good buy because everything is paid for through the scheme. The cars are all fully serviced, tyres replaced and the majority of them have lower than average mileage.
The down side in reality is that a lot of the people who get motability cars do not respect them at all. They regularly come back with bodywork damage so check for bad repairs.
The inside unfortunately are where they are often the worst. I don't know how some of these people live but in my experience roughly 20% are just disgusting inside. Dirt, mess left behind by dogs and the smell. I have driven a few and afterwords felt like I need to go home for a bath. It never seems to go away, even months later after the car has been cleaned properly you can still smell it.
The scheme is great and it does help a lot of people and the cars from the people who respect what it does for them can make a great buy. But as I said those who don't respect it just ruin the cars.
The down side in reality is that a lot of the people who get motability cars do not respect them at all. They regularly come back with bodywork damage so check for bad repairs.
The inside unfortunately are where they are often the worst. I don't know how some of these people live but in my experience roughly 20% are just disgusting inside. Dirt, mess left behind by dogs and the smell. I have driven a few and afterwords felt like I need to go home for a bath. It never seems to go away, even months later after the car has been cleaned properly you can still smell it.
The scheme is great and it does help a lot of people and the cars from the people who respect what it does for them can make a great buy. But as I said those who don't respect it just ruin the cars.
xrv said:
In theory they are a good buy because everything is paid for through the scheme. The cars are all fully serviced, tyres replaced and the majority of them have lower than average mileage.
The down side in reality is that a lot of the people who get motability cars do not respect them at all. They regularly come back with bodywork damage so check for bad repairs.
The inside unfortunately are where they are often the worst. I don't know how some of these people live but in my experience roughly 20% are just disgusting inside. Dirt, mess left behind by dogs and the smell. I have driven a few and afterwords felt like I need to go home for a bath. It never seems to go away, even months later after the car has been cleaned properly you can still smell it.
The scheme is great and it does help a lot of people and the cars from the people who respect what it does for them can make a great buy. But as I said those who don't respect it just ruin the cars.
This mirrors my experience, a lot of them are simply disgusting. Never cleaned, 'suspicious' odours topped off with a healthy dose of fag burns and bodywork damage.The down side in reality is that a lot of the people who get motability cars do not respect them at all. They regularly come back with bodywork damage so check for bad repairs.
The inside unfortunately are where they are often the worst. I don't know how some of these people live but in my experience roughly 20% are just disgusting inside. Dirt, mess left behind by dogs and the smell. I have driven a few and afterwords felt like I need to go home for a bath. It never seems to go away, even months later after the car has been cleaned properly you can still smell it.
The scheme is great and it does help a lot of people and the cars from the people who respect what it does for them can make a great buy. But as I said those who don't respect it just ruin the cars.
However, not all of them. Some of them come back immaculate with very low mileage on.
It's the same as buying any used/3 year old car. Buy on condition. if it's nice inside, no lingering odours or anything then so be it.
In answer to the OPs question. If a car fits your bill, is in good condition and matches your requirements, do not be put off simply because it says 'motability' on the V5C. They are no different to any other used car, and are normally guaranteed to have had a full service history and any warranty work completed promptly, as the driver of the vehicle does not actually pay for any of it.
hth
I had to go and inspect a Motability vehicle a few years ago - The person eligible for the car let her son use it as he was "her carer"
The car had done 7,000ish miles, was 6 months old and looked like a 5 year old vehicle. The front tyres were pretty much slicks, the rears weren't much better, rear pads were metal to metal and the reason for inspecting it....
Number 3 conrod had let go and torn through the block, ladder frame and sump. He maintained he'd only noted a slight misfire, so carried on driving it home and only called recovery when he couldn't start it the next morning
So whilst they might get free servicing, tyres etc.. don't think for one second that they're all driven by sweet old ladies with a gammy hip and that they're well cared for, as whilst most probably are, some are definitely not.
The car had done 7,000ish miles, was 6 months old and looked like a 5 year old vehicle. The front tyres were pretty much slicks, the rears weren't much better, rear pads were metal to metal and the reason for inspecting it....
Number 3 conrod had let go and torn through the block, ladder frame and sump. He maintained he'd only noted a slight misfire, so carried on driving it home and only called recovery when he couldn't start it the next morning
So whilst they might get free servicing, tyres etc.. don't think for one second that they're all driven by sweet old ladies with a gammy hip and that they're well cared for, as whilst most probably are, some are definitely not.
lbc said:
curtainrail said:
Would it be more likely to have been driven hard or not looked after
It's a free car to them, so they don't look after them.As has been posted they are regularly serviced and repaired as necessary as the motability scheme pays or the repairs are under warranty. Certain areas do get worn such as the kickplate as he has to drag his legs over it and the rear area from loading/unloading his wheelchair.
lbc said:
curtainrail said:
Would it be more likely to have been driven hard or not looked after
It's a free car to them, so they don't look after them.you may also need to consider if the car has been adapted for hand controls only or in any other way. if the previous owner was using a wheelchair thy may have caused unavoidable scuffs getting the chair in to the car. as for driving, if the user is reliant on the car for transport, then surely they are going to be more careful.
P.S
my brother has a Motability car and, apart from the aforementioned scuffs is spotless inside and out. he drives no differently than any one else.
Jagmanv12 said:
They are not free. A disabled friend definitely pays for his. It may not be as much as a regular pcp but he certainly pays something.
Depends on the scale you're assessed on. Some are free, some require a contribution from the recipient.I have known several which have absolutely had the arse ragged off them by various relatives of the keeper. I wouldn't touch one with your disinfected bargepole, TBH.
littleredrooster said:
Depends on the scale you're assessed on. Some are free, some require a contribution from the recipient.
I have known several which have absolutely had the arse ragged off them by various relatives of the keeper. I wouldn't touch one with your disinfected bargepole, TBH.
I think you will find that none of them are free, the recipient pays for it from their DLA award.I have known several which have absolutely had the arse ragged off them by various relatives of the keeper. I wouldn't touch one with your disinfected bargepole, TBH.
My parents are on their 5th DLA car now, treat them as if they were theirs, & are always returned immaculate with very low miles.
Speedracer329 said:
I think you will find that none of them are free, the recipient pays for it from their DLA award.
My bad choice of words - 'fully-funded' would perhaps have been better. A paraplegic friend gets enough of an award to cover the cost fully. Others with smaller awards have to top the payments up.curtainrail said:
Is there anything wrong with buying a second hand car that was a motability car?? What does it even mean.
it's an ex lease vehicle Motability is one of if not the largest leasing Operations in the UK
people in reciept of higher rate mobility component of DLA / PIP / War Pensions can opt to use that part of their beneift payments to pay for the lease ( Plus an advanced payment for higher value vehicles)
use wise it can be very variable , from vehicles barely used , through lots of short trips , through family car use through to vehicles used for general mixed private car use including commuting etc. there is little reason to suggest they are likely to be have grossly abused ( be far more likely with an ex-pool car, ex-spot hire or ex PHV)
the Motability lease includes breakdown cover, Servicing , tyres etc so there is little reason for the vehicles to have missed such things.
just make sure the Tax class is changed back to Emissions based Car if you aren't eligible for Disabled class zero VED .
Vehicles under 3 years old coming off motability leases are handbacks ( following death or significant change i nthe eligible person's health) or santchbacks for abuse of the scheme.
sometimes you'll find 5 year old ex Motability vehicles - these were heavily modifed with adaptive tech if they aren;t a WAV ( WAV= wheelchair accessible vehicle)
littleredrooster said:
Jagmanv12 said:
They are not free. A disabled friend definitely pays for his. It may not be as much as a regular pcp but he certainly pays something.
Depends on the scale you're assessed on. Some are free, some require a contribution from the recipient.I have known several which have absolutely had the arse ragged off them by various relatives of the keeper. I wouldn't touch one with your disinfected bargepole, TBH.
You can only have the lease if you get Higher Rate Mobility component of the relevant benefits, this covers the lease over it's term ( 3 years for unmodified or light to moderate adaptions, 5 years for some heavily adapted and/or WAV vehicles) - and it's the disabled person who is the lessee (not 100% sure how it works for under 18s) even if they aren't a driver.
If the lease would be more expensive than the funding available from the benefit payment then a lump sum advanced payment is required - generally this is down to the lessee to fund although the Motability charity can contribute where there is a clinical / welfare need.
I care for someone who has had motability cars.
It got cared for better than if they owned it. If you hand the car back in good condition you get £200-300 thank you payment.
go for one thats not a base model, as often the previous keeper would have had to pay an advanced payment, so actually invested a small amount into the car. Helps with them treating it slightly better.
It got cared for better than if they owned it. If you hand the car back in good condition you get £200-300 thank you payment.
go for one thats not a base model, as often the previous keeper would have had to pay an advanced payment, so actually invested a small amount into the car. Helps with them treating it slightly better.
steveeeW said:
I'm not sure on the free servicing & tyres.. My mum has a mobility car for my disabled brother, who can't drive. It doesn't get free servicing / tyres, but to be fair she keeps it in reasonable condition! 
You say "mobility"?If the car is obtained under the Motability Car Scheme then that definitely includes service, maintenance and tyres.
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