Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car

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Thu 16 Jan 2020 21:41
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Tunder

Hi,

I have a Ford Focus manual car on PCP. I have only had it for 6 months on a 3 year contract.

I have suffered an ankle injury which is not going to improve on my left foot so using the clutch is very painful.

I can't afford to change to an automatic.

Are there any mechanical devices that would allow me to control the clutch with my hand, I am thinking along the lines of a camera cable release but more robust of course.

Alternatively if anyone can point me to a reputable company that fits these sort of devices that would be helpful.

Thanks!

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 06:16
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - badbusdriver

A couple of things.

1, have you actually spoken to the finance company or whoever is dealing with your PCP?. Under the circumstances, they may well be willing to put aside, or at least reduce, any charge for returning your current car early. And even if you are not able to afford the payments for an auto on PCP, surely you could look into a loan to actually buy an auto car?. This could quite possibly work out cheaper than your current payments with the added advantage of the car belonging to you (as opposed to a finance company).

2, as to your wanting to fit some device to the car in order to change gear with your hand, yes obviously these things are available, disabled drivers use them. But the problem is that 'your' car is not actually yours, it belongs to the finance company. As such, I think it would be highly unlikely that you'd be allowed to modify the car.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 08:20
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Bromptonaut

Badbusdriver's points probably cover it. First thing is to make a case to the finance company.

There's no right to a change (unless disability law has more teeth than I think) but there's a reasonable chance of a positive outcome for a well put case.

Adaptation is possible but even if not permanent such things need to be securely fixed so their is 'damage' when they are removed. I'd guess that traces of former adaptations are a regular 'thing' with ex-Motability cars. That will be an issue for finance company.

If the OP wants advice on providers for such kits Disabled Motoring UK would be a good place to start:

https://www.disabledmotoring.org/

Edited by Bromptonaut on 17/01/2020 at 08:21

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 09:54
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Cris_on_the_gas

I would agree that making a case to the finance company in the first instance. Also to the dealer, they might be able to take out a new lease on an automatic.

If you do decide to go down the adaption route on your current car, a vacuum clutch can be fitted but as previously pointed out this may leave holes in the trim when removed at the end of the lease. A couple of companies I have used are Cowal Mobility Aids Limited, based in Great Missenden near High Wycombe. They would be good for advice as they have their own workshops on site and I have always found them helpful if not a little expensive. The other is Alfred Bekker, who are based in Driffield, East Yorkshire but have agents nationwide. A google search on either name would work, there are many other companies but these two have been doing it for a long time and I have used their products and value their expertise.

Remember any adaptions to a vehicle to suit a disibility are exempt from VAT. Both Cowal and Alfred Bekker will be well aware of this and will most likely have the correct forms for you to complete.

Finally don't forget to inform the DVLA of your injury. They will most likely add code 44 (5) - (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch to your licence. Be aware that not doing so could mean that you are liable to have car seized as you would be driving otherwise than accordance with a licence.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 12:38
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Tunder

Thank you for your replies.

The dealer was not helpful.

The finance house said that ending the deal will be returning the which cost £22000 would incur early settlement fees of about £1000 plus the difference between the original cost and the current value which they say is £7000. I have used round figures.

They did not care that I have a problem as i am not officially "disabled" - I do not have a blue badge.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 12:40
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Tunder

Remember any adaptions to a vehicle to suit a disibility are exempt from VAT. Both Cowal and Alfred Bekker will be well aware of this and will most likely have the correct forms for you to complete.

Finally don't forget to inform the DVLA of your injury. They will most likely add code 44 (5) - (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch to your licence. Be aware that not doing so could mean that you are liable to have car seized as you would be driving otherwise than accordance with a licence.

I had no idea!

Does that mean that if I bite the bullet and sell my car and get an automatic, I can claim VAT back on the difference between the price of the automatic and price of a manual car?

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 13:53
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Cris_on_the_gas

Remember any adaptions to a vehicle to suit a disability are exempt from VAT. Both Cowal and Alfred Bekker will be well aware of this and will most likely have the correct forms for you to complete.

I had no idea!

Does that mean that if I bite the bullet and sell my car and get an automatic, I can claim VAT back on the difference between the price of the automatic and price of a manual car?

Short answer is no.

The law is very complex here. However simply put if you are a wheelchair user and want to buy a new car and it needs adapted so you can either drive it or be driven in it then the cost of the car and any adaptions are exempt from VAT. So just think you could buy a £100k Porsche and spend £200 on having it adapted. The whole cost is VAT exempt. So effectively you can buy a £100k Porsche for £83.33k. You could then sell it on for say £90k and make a nice profit. However before you rush out and find a wheelchair user to front this scam, HMRC are aware of it. There is a 3 year limit on re purchase. Prior to this several people were prosecuted by HMRC and served time inside and the law was tightened.

If you are a non wheelchair user and you need to adapt a car so you can drive it then the cost of adaptions are exempt from VAT. Much in the same way as adaptions to homes to suit a disability are VAT exempt, for example an accessible bathroom. However the cost of the car is not VAT exempt

VAT Laws are very complex, as I understand it there are 3 types of VAT, Standard, Exempt and zero rated. In the complexities of law they are very different. No doubt a tax expert could expand further but I'll leave it at that.

Edited by Cris_on_the_gas on 17/01/2020 at 14:36

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 14:57
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - barney100

Would a doctor declaring you unable to drive a manual sway the dealer or the finance company?

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 16:01
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - badbusdriver

Another possibility, if this ankle issue is permanent and is going to prevent you from being able to walk a reasonable distance, it may be worth looking into whether or not you could get a Motability car?.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 16:24
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Cris_on_the_gas

Another possibility, if this ankle issue is permanent and is going to prevent you from being able to walk a reasonable distance, it may be worth looking into whether or not you could get a Motability car?.

That's all very good but won't get the OP out of his existing PCP contract without penalty. He will just have two nice shiny cars on his driveway, only one of which he can drive.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 16:51
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - sammy1

Is there perhaps some sort of boot you could wear that would immobilise the ankle but give you leg movement to operate the clutch? Most clutches are extremely light these days and do not require a lot of pressure. but constant use may not help,

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 16:55
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Bromptonaut

To get a Motability car as a disabled adult you need to have an award of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for Mobility at the Enhanced Rate. To qualify you need to score 12 points on the assessment

tinyurl.com/ns6r9wh (pdf on Citizens Advice Website)

The descriptors for Mobility are on pages 6/7 and people who score points in Planning and Following Journeys are unlikely to be driving.

You've got to be in a bad way.......

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 17:37
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Tunder

I will not qualify for a motability car because I can walk, though painfully and slowly and otherwise capable for work and I am working.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 17:52
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Bromptonaut

otherwise capable for work and I am working.

It's the fact you can do it painfully and slowly that stops you qualifying. Plenty of people in work have Motability cars - there's no means test.

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Fri 17 Jan 2020 23:36
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Tunder

A hypothetical question:

If a company has to make reasonable alterations to allow a disabled person to work or use their premises under the Equality Act 2010.

The same applies to goods and services. What is reasonable for a car manufacturer?

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Sat 18 Jan 2020 09:41
Ford Focus Manual - Bad Ankle and Manual Car - Bromptonaut

If a company has to make reasonable alterations to allow a disabled person to work or use their premises under the Equality Act 2010.

The same applies to goods and services. What is reasonable for a car manufacturer?

It was Equalities legislation I had in mind in my first response at 08:20 yesterday.

If, and it's a big if, the law is any use then your target is the lender/lessor under your PCP not the manufacturer.

The question would be whether an easement of otherwise onerous cancellation terms (and the degree of easement were one offered) is a reasonable adjustment.

I don't know where you'd go to for help. I think it's beyond scope of Citizens Advice. Possibly a disability charity?

The ideal thing would be pro-bono or no win/no fee legal assistance but that's a hell of a long shot.

Edited by Bromptonaut on 18/01/2020 at 09:43

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