URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 18:34
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - shreeneewas

HI,

I came across a car bought under motability scheme by the original owner is now up for sale in one of the supermarket.

It is 4 yrs old model 7 seater with very less mileage <5K available under company's approved used programme. Delear has confirmed that car has not undergone any adaptation/changes.

Anyone has any opinion/experiences/advice about such a car ? Does a car bought under such a scheme is different than any normal models - in terms of features, services history etc ?

I may have to take a decision this weekdn and visit the car delaer so your speedy reply is appreciated.

Shrini

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 18:45
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - RT

Motability is a scheme that allows drivers who receive disability benefit to lease a car at beneficial rates.

Some need to have adaptations to suit the driver's disability but most don't - if the car you're interested in has no adaptations then it will be a regular production version.

The big downside I see is it's low mileage - this may indicate it's only been used for short runs - these short journeys will kill a car far quicker than mega mileage use.

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 19:00
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - shreeneewas
The big downside I see is it's low mileage - this may indicate it's only been used for short runs - these short journeys will kill a car far quicker than mega mileage use.

Could you please elaborate it ? I thought it is a big advantage.

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 19:10
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - oldroverboy
The big downside I see is it's low mileage - this may indicate it's only been used for short runs - these short journeys will kill a car far quicker than mega mileage use.

Could you please elaborate it ? I thought it is a big advantage.

You don't say petrol or diesel, but lots of very short jouneys do not get the engine to running temperature, petrol gets washed down the bores, or if a diesel maybe it has a dpf and that has not done sufficient regenerations, and if it has a dmf, etc, at 4 years from a main dealer i bet they are asking top price, save yourself the hassle and buy something else. tell us your budget and lots of people will point you at the options.

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 19:24
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - shreeneewas
This is a 1.8 auto petrol.

You have made a very good point. Dealer is asking for a top price due to low mileage and approved used programme.

"Petrol gets washed down the bore"
Can we check any particular signs of damage this may cause?

I am ready to spend around 8k or may be some more as long as I am getting a hassale free car. Please see my other thread "7 seater family car"

I have a taken a liking for Mazada 5 and looking for a safest bet in town (who isn't) so cars under pproved used prog is surely on my list.

Thanks for your valuable advice and would like to more from you on this topic.

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 22:52
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - likerocks

also worth looking at is interior trim damage in back seat and boot from loading and unloading wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

My mother in law bought an ex-motability focus and all the grab handles were broken off!

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 23:41
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - Bobbin Threadbare

I used to have a Mk I Ford Focus which had been Motability. It was in excellent condition, low mileage (but not 'unused' to make the car a rough drive), full dealer service history, well maintained and reasonably priced. It must have been just out of Motability use, at 3.5 years old. I drove it to over 90k and part exed it for a Mazda 6. No complaints with either car and both were great drives, practical and reasonably cheap to run.

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Fri 13 Jul 2012 23:53
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - iainbo
Hi,

I bought a 3 year old ex-motability Ford C-Max in December last year. The car had done 6000 miles and was like new inside and out with full service history. Bought from a main dealer (Evans Halshaw) for £5900 - nothing on Autotrader came within £500 on price at time.

Car has ran perfectly and still feels new.

Will always be bad stories about low mileage or ex-motability, but it if it looks well looked after, is serviced (must be under motability scheme) and is petrol, and is available for a good price, then I would seriously consider it.
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Sat 14 Jul 2012 13:43
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - redthemusiclover

I bought an ex-Motability 53 reg Nissan Almera Tino from a main dealer in 2007, at 4 years old and 27K on the clock, FSH etc. As far as I can tell it's completely standard specification. Now 5 years later on at 48K, it's proven to be the most economical, reliable car I've ever owned. Apart from annual servicing, it's only needed 2 tyres, a battery and keyfob battery. However, you need to look at every car as an individual case, but my experience would suggest not to be afraid of ex-Motability cars.

Hope that helps,

Steve

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Sat 14 Jul 2012 13:47
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - gordonbennet

Petrol auto, less than 5k miles.

Assuming its had the services done i'd buy it.

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Mon 16 Jul 2012 11:33
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - shreeneewas

Thanks for the advice.

Even I find petrol auto <5K too tempting to pass. As I am getting approved used warranty from vendor I guess this should be a good buy.

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Tue 17 Jul 2012 00:42
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - bathtub tom

I'd check it very thoroughly.

I looked at a couple of 'motability' cars, one had no service history whatsoever (outward signs would suggest it had NEVER been serviced), t'other was soaking wet inside!

Treat it as any other used car.

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Tue 17 Jul 2012 19:57
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - Drivethru
It's a myth that short journeys 'kill' a car. I've had three cars in the past twenty years, all of them only did short journeys and I never had any problems. the last car I had was a twelve year old Micra, I got an above average price for it when I parted with it last year with 42,000 miles on the clock, never a bit of trouble and I'm ashamed to say it was often used for work, which is a five minute walk away. I would choose low mileage over high any day.
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Wed 18 Jul 2012 09:35
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - Chris M

I think "kill" is a bit over the top, but the wear on the engine and transmission of your 12 yo Micra with 42,000 miles, would be far more than the same car that had done 42,000 in two years. The other relevent point is that so many cars used for short journeys never get a good blast along a motorway. Getting the engine up to full working temperature and using the full rev range once in a while blows away the cobwebs and they run sweeter afterwards.

The issue is that so many people appear willing to pay a substantial premium for low mileage when say 60k in 3 years is nothing for current cars. They seem stuck in an era 30 years ago when cars would be ready for the scrap heap at that stage.

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Wed 18 Jul 2012 11:30
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - Drivethru
Obviou
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Thu 19 Jul 2012 04:24
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - 1litregolfeater

I read a horror story about a motability car recently on the web, on a website for car mechanics. They all said the same thing: druggies; abuse; dirt; lack of maintenance.

You might get a bargain though!

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Fri 20 Jul 2012 00:20
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - Fake Elvis
Not quite sure about the "druggies" reference you make... Anyway, the cars are standard and include tyres and servicing, so there is no reason why this would not have been done during its life with the customer. Treat as any other used car.
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Fri 20 Jul 2012 13:14
URGENT: Car bought under motability scheme - shreeneewas

Thanks everyone for comments.

Due to various reasons such as "engine never heating up properly", mainatainence, service history etc I have decided to stay away from it as it may not be worth the hassle.

Thanks for comments and suggestions.

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