Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up?

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Wed 5 Jul 2017 14:45
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - Oli rag
Ten years ago I bought a three year old ex mobility car for around 25 to 30% of the new list price. During its time on the scheme the previous user handed over their benefit payment to have use of the car.

This monthly payment also covered tax, insurance, servicing and even tyres! I can't believe what was left over was anything like enough in the 3 years to cover depreciation.

Almost forty years ago I used to service and repair the last of the light blue invalid carriages. I
always felt very sorry that the drivers not only had to contend with their disabilities, but also had to stand out like a sore thumb because of the vehicle they were forced to drive.

The scheme seems to have changed totally since that time,now most vehicles seem to be available to users and the level of disability needed to qualify for it has greatly decreased ( I can only relate this to the very disabled people I used to deal with during my time).

I'm sure the overall cost of this scheme is very high, but could surely be reduced by bulk buying suitable cars from say a handful of manufacturers. You could still offer a small , medium or large car, depending on needs - or am I missing something?







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Wed 5 Jul 2017 15:22
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - RT

The Motability Scheme is restricted to specific models within a manufacturer's range.

There are several different levels of Disability Living Allowance - and only the most severely disabled level qualifies for the Motability Scheme - in addition there are many moderately disabled people who qualify ONLY for a Blue Badge and get no other benefits or support.

So far more people have Blue Badges than qualify for a Motability car - of course there's a minority who fraudulently claim disability, or exaggerate their disability, and officials constantly battle to root them out.

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Wed 5 Jul 2017 18:02
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - Falkirk Bairn

Motability is the UK biggest car buyer - biggest discounts around

so most of the depreciation is covered by the discount of 40-50%+

It's government/taxpayer money buying at deep discounts & selling on @ 3 years old

typically a smallish mileage & it should be serviced as it costs the driver £0.

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Wed 5 Jul 2017 18:05
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - daveyjp
Its actually individuals money buying through a charity which secures deep discounts.

The sums appear to add up as the charity never spends more than it receives in income.
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Wed 5 Jul 2017 18:28
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - RT
Its actually individuals money buying through a charity which secures deep discounts. The sums appear to add up as the charity never spends more than it receives in income.

The "individuals money" is part of their Disability Living Allowance, a benefit paid by central government out of general taxation.

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Mon 10 Jul 2017 16:03
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - grumpyscot

It seems, though, that many people don't understand, or deliebrately flout, the rules. I know someone who got a mobility car because her 18 year old son hasmental difficulties so gets the allowance. BUT, she got stopped by police using the car to travel between places of work and got £200 fine and 3 points for not having proper insurance. Mobility people were informed ans she was told she would have to return the car for abuse of the T&Cs. Apparently, because the son is 18 he is classed on not dependent (on her wages).

OUCH!

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Mon 10 Jul 2017 16:28
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - RT

It seems, though, that many people don't understand, or deliebrately flout, the rules. I know someone who got a mobility car because her 18 year old son hasmental difficulties so gets the allowance. BUT, she got stopped by police using the car to travel between places of work and got £200 fine and 3 points for not having proper insurance. Mobility people were informed ans she was told she would have to return the car for abuse of the T&Cs. Apparently, because the son is 18 he is classed on not dependent (on her wages).

OUCH!

The car is, or should be, a benefit for the son - not the mother.

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Tue 11 Jul 2017 10:43
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - Bromptonaut

The "individuals money" is part of their Disability Living Allowance, a benefit paid by central government out of general taxation.

It's still the "individuals money" in exactly same way as any other income.

Disability Living Allowance for working age people is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment. The mobility conditions have been tightened and ALL recipients, even those with lifelong and/or progressive conditions are subject to regular re-assessment.

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Tue 11 Jul 2017 12:11
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - JEREMYH

If you have a smaller Ford on the scheme it is actully costing you more than financing it when you take into considerartion your lost benifit

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Tue 11 Jul 2017 16:35
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - 72 dudes

RT seems to have the best "handle" on this.

As someone whose wife joined the scheme earlier this year, having moved from DLA onto PIP and was classified "more disabled" in the process, I think I can add a few facts into the discussion.

If you choose the right car, the scheme is excellent, although I have no doubt that what JEREMYH says about the Fiesta is also true.

The range of cars is quite limited and becoming more so. It's also quite illogical, for example you can choose an Audi Q3 (as we did) but the Q2 is not available on the scheme.

Most cars on the scheme require you to put down a deposit, this is typically between £199 and £2799. Any options you choose are payable in full before delivery and cannot be ammortised over the 3 year period. I put down £2430 to ensure Mrs 72 Dudes' car had cruise control and front sensors. This was part of a £660 comfort pack which we did a deal on. This is dead money as obviously the car never belongs to you, but the choice is there.

A "ceiling price" of £29500 (list price) was introduced in 2017. This has upset some current members who had previously chosen cars like the X3, XC60 etc.

The scheme does include servicing, maintenance, insurance and road tax, which was the decider for us. Tyres are provided by Kwik Fit only and the scheme member will have no say as to what brands are put on (fair enough).

Finally, as RT said, the car is for the benefit of the claimant. This does not mean that I can't drive the car without her present, but the journey must benefit her in some way (shopping, collect a prescription etc). I've also added insurance for business use for myself, as I guess earning money is also a benefit to her, but I also have another car which I use mainly for business.

One other benefit which I was not aware of until I tried to purchase a DART crossing, is that Motability vehicles are exempt from this charge.

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Tue 11 Jul 2017 16:41
Mobility scheme cars. Do the sums add up? - RT

A number of tolls are reduced or free for those with the higher disabilities - but often need application in advance, for instance the M6 Toll.

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