[Chris G]

I currently have my first Motability car and I am due to replace it in October this year. I am looking for a new BMW 1 series so contacted my local dealer in February before all this Covid-19 started, just to get a brochure. He suggested coming in for a test drive around May/June time. Obviously after all this Covid-19 this never happened. I got in touch with the dealer yesterday to see if a look around and test drive would be possible and I  recieved, a frankly curt reply, that I should wait until I receive my letter from motability before going ahead with arranging test drives. Does this sound correct or should I sack this dealer off and try another one? I am reading on here about people placing deposits on new cars way before I’m due to change, so I am just after some advise and help as in what to do! Thanks

Topic

[mitch]

you wont be able to place an order normally until you get your letter from motability usually about 3 months before the end of the lease. but a dealer should allow test drives etc at any time. i spent quite a bit of time beginning 6 months in advance test driving various models as i have a back problem so i need a higher seat and one that will adjust to suit so i test drove about 8 different cars.some of them more than once, mini even gave me one for 24hrs.

in the end i got it down to the bmw i3 and the mini countryman going with mini as they had a £500 cashback/ap contribution whereas bmw wouldnt offer anything.

if your set on the one series i would canvas several dealers for the best deal but all of them should give you a test drive whenever you want one. very poor customer service if they wont.

[Michael]

Hi, I have been to look at various cars and have asked if I can have a test drive and the reply has always been positive. This dealer appears to want you to commit to a deal before they are prepared to agree. Phone motability and get them to arrange test drive or go elsewhere. Personally I would not deal with them full stop and write to the Company telling them the reason why, address to Managing Director, or send it recorded delivery to Company sales Manager tell them you are sending copy to Motability, cheers Michael.

[ChrisK]

Hi Chris

Not unusual to get throbbed off by dealers as you will see many threads in here about that and as for waiting for the renewal notice from Motability that’s a load of hogwash because once you have that letter that’s the time you can order a car but you of course need to know if the car is suitable for your needs long before that.

My change over is October next year and can order at the end of July 21 but I will be out looking at car by next Spring for sure though I add I can’t test drive because the cars needs adaptions but I will be in showrooms sitting and fiddling with them.

Alway a good idea to play the two dealers game.

[Elliot]

Name and shame the dealer Chris.

[Oscarmax]

Mitsubishi, Toyota and Kia dealers brilliant, local Skoda and VW dealer absolutely pig ignorant

Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.

[Elliot]

I’ve found Seat dealers the worst.

[ChrisK]

I found my local Mitsubishi dealer good but my local KIA dealer the one I’m using now rubbish.

Local VW dealer is good but will not do deals on AP’s and Seat as always are middle of the road, neither good or bad and my local BMW dealer so I’ve been told is very good.

Interesting for me next year when seeking info on the two cars I’m interested in, one VW the other Seat both of which I’ve dealt with before but now my local VW dealership has also taken over my local Seat franchise.

[AndyW]

My change is due within 4 weeks and I’ve not received my letter yet.  I had a text saying that I could order and that a letter would be sent soon, but have nothing to show a dealer.

[JS]

Not to defend uninterested or unscrupulous salespersons, But the salesperson is only actually just following orders and rules that have been set at this troubling time, At present (until 1st July) Motability has set out reopening the scheme and ordering guidelines to all Dealerships, unfortunately it’s harsh but somebody as yet not reached their order date and not on a extension is not a priority to either Motability or Dealerships, the scheme and country is slowly catching up but we must be patient there’s around 55,000 waiting to order that have been invited by Motability to now do so, let’s give them chance to clear those them first, in the meantime rest assured the Automatic lease extension remains in place, 1st July will see more relaxed rules from Motability

[rox]

Things have changed abit because of covid and now MB do suggest you contact the dealer and arrange an appointment. but is no excuse for poor treatment..

Do I need to make an appointment at my dealership to place an application?

Yes, some dealerships will still be closed and social distancing arrangements mean that all dealerships are having to plan more carefully. You will need to make an appointment so that they can dedicate enough time to help you find the right car and let you know how COVID-19 is affecting their services.

So they maybe busy but i test drove the car i ordered in jan 2020 back in sept 2019 and made a provisional order, I have never paid any ap upfront only on day of collection..

I have heard of deposits being made to reserve a build slot or for addons / extras requested which are not part of the AP and is down to the dealer i guess… but on just the ap they trying it and I’ve never been asked hoping to pickup my 4th car soon but now hackers have stop it for now and after covid 2..

[PSXCAR]

Hi Chris, after over 24 years with motability I can say that BMW dealerships are the most uncaring, I have been into them three times now and have always been treated as a second class customer and a total lack of respect not shown by all the other dealerships I have experience.

My list (just for fun) of the dealerships which I felt as if they did give a f…. are

5 )  Fiat (haven’t used them for nearly 18 years though) My first 2 Motability cars  very thoughtful sales team.

4)  Citroen (again some time ago but used twice)

3) MG could not do enough for me, free touring car tickets, free matts and a free full tank of petrol always a free valet after service, as well as a £300 cheque when I collected the car as a thank you. My next car will be an MG

2)  mercedes (my current car) good all round but I did have the same salesman there I had used at Nissan but still had to pay the advance payment when I ordered the car and not on collection as with everyone else

and that puts Nissan in top place at number 1, well deserved certainly my favorite dealership, just need some newer models other than the new Juke, the new qashqai and x-trail don’t look special enough for me, a little bland.

BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN REFUSED A TEST DRIVE FROM ANY DEALERSHIP, LOOKS LIKE BMW HAS NOT CHANGE TO MUCH

ROY

[Chris G]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me. I appreciate the comments about Motability catching up with orders and I will more than patiently wait if there is a delay. I was just struck by the “I only want to deal with you when I can get a definite order” approach. I will try another dealer I think see what they say. I live in the West Midlands so there is plenty of choice. I also completely get the being “throbbed” off type comments. Never have I felt like such a third class citizen as when I’m dealing in all things Motability. The scheme itself is brilliant but as soon as you mention Motability to either sales or service departments you suddenly feel like you are constantly on the back burner. I appreciate times are different at the moment and I thank you all again for your advice and support ?

[Jan Atkinson-Carr]

What kind of car are you looking at Chris? My BMW dealer was more than willing to place a factory order for me before my official order date in October.

[Chris G]

I am looking at the 1 series. 118i M sport model. It’s the only car we want to be honest. I have looked round the other cars available at the last Motability show. All I need to see is if the access is good, which I cant see there being a problem as we have a Vauxhall Astra at the moment so kinda the same size wise I guess. I can officially order in July this year and they are balking up on giving me a test drive, yet another BMW dealer will take an order for a an October date. Crazy lol. I think I will definitely try another dealer, thanks for your message Jan, hopefully I get more joy there. What model have you ordered?

[Jan Atkinson-Carr]

Hi Chris,

Yes do try another dealer. I’ve gone for the 2 series Gran Coupé. Had to place a factory order now as the lead time on them is at least 6 months!

[Chris G]

Hi Jen,

I love the new 2 Series Gran Coupe, that’s a really nice choice. I am going to try my next closest BMW dealer tomorrow see if I get any joy from them. I am dreading the lead times, I bet all manufacturers are the same at the moment. I would be more than happy to put a deposit down for a slot if needed, I’m serious about ordering but I feel like I’m being treated like a mess about customer! I will report back tomorrow see what the next dealer says.

[vinalspin]

Regardless of which dealer you choose or what manufacturer you should NEVER pay the AP upfront, it’s against MB rules and any rep that asks for that should be reported asap. Some dealers ask for a deposit if you have ordered extras but you still don’t have to do that as that would be between you and the dealer and nothing to do with MB.

[Chris G]

I thought that about not having to pay the AP upfront until when I joined the scheme nearly 3 years ago. I went to 4 different dealers, Audi, VW, Ford and Vauxhall all different franchises and they all told me the AP was payable upfront in full before they ordered the car. I protested and said what if the car comes damaged or incorrect specs and they all said that was how they did it. I rang Motability who said they should ask for the AP on the day of collection but they are within their rights to ask for it in full or a deposit before they order. I had to pay £199 upfront for my Astra else they wouldn’t order it.

[gothitjulie]

AndyW wrote:

My change is due within 4 weeks and I’ve not received my letter yet. I had a text saying that I could order and that a letter would be sent soon, but have nothing to show a dealer.

I’m sort of in the same position, I had that text on 9th June.

I went to a dealers, started to order the car & they asked for the letter….. had dealer chasing me for the letter

Waited until 16th June for the letter, still not arrived so I phoned motability….

I was told that that text is enough for the dealer to proceed, the letter is not needed for those of us that can order this month & I was told to get the dealer to phone their specific dealer phone number at Motability to clarify.

Dealer said they’d put it through on Wednesday & let me know it had gone through.

No contact from dealer since…. I’m likely to phone up, ask for deposit back & tell them to go jump, then phone Motability & report that dealer.

 

 

[Scott]

I enquired about a bmw 2 series gran coupe and it was the 118i msport manual which had an ap of 1499 but the dealer insisted I payed 500 up front and the ap is 1999 also they had advertised 500 off ap but he says no that’s not the case . So ordered a tiguan see ya lol .

[BionicRusty]

Same here Andy and Julie.

My current lease (also my first car, Andy) ends in two months and I’ve not had anything either. I’m assuming, of course, that it is due to the COVID-19 situation. I’m in Wales but so close to the border with Chester right on my doorstep. There’s pretty much all of the car makes there and whilst I want to change, I’m concentrating on staying safe right now.
Fingers crossed we’ll have some relaxation soon that allows me to start looking at cars that are not in configurators! ??

? I will be remembered for nothing but had great fun doing it ?

[AndyW]

Staying safe enough to enjoy your new car when it eventually happens, is the key point here Wayne.

I’ve now been shielding (Living on my own) since March 12th and due to immunosuppressant treatments, have been told to remain at home in my flat even after the slight lifting on restrictions in early June.  I fully expect to be here still when my lease expires in early July.  I live in Cornwall and my nearest motability dealers are over 10 miles away, so I’m stuck with virtual test drives on my laptop for now.

As frustrating as all this is; 1) No car is worth that level of risk and 2) There is no point getting my dream replacement car if I’m not going to be able to drive it.

The point of this msg is  –  I hope that all you guys out there in a similar position are able to bear with the frustration a little while longer and that all good things do come to those of us who have been waiting (For what seems a long time, now).

p.s If anyone has had any particularly good or bad experiences of dealers or deals down here in the west country, I’d be keen to hear them.  I’ll be off like a greyhound out of the traps towards the good ones, just as soon as it is all clear to do so.

[WayneM]

Hi ChrisG, have you tried Jake Fielding at Rybrook BMW in Wolverhampton. Great service from him when l got my X1. Even calls me every few months to check health of myself and car.

[Chris G]

Hi WayneM,

Thank you for the recommendation. My plan was to call them today as they are my next closest dealer so it’s nice to hear about some good service from a Motability customer of theirs. It was Sytner in Oldbury who are closest to me and who, if effect, wont let me near a car until I can produce a letter from Motability saying I can order. I will try Wolverhampton today and see if I get any joy.

[Chris G]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hi all, especially WayneM.</p>
I have spoken to Jake at BMW Wolverhampton and booked a test drive for next week, no problems at all. Feel a bit angry towards the first dealer but hey ho, par for the course on Motability sometimes. ?‍♂️

[Author]

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