Agreed @kezo We had both made the decision to leave the scheme even prior to these changes, so could easily just sit back smug and think that these announcements just further validate our decisions. However, I think we are both aware that we are fortunate that we are in a financial position that enables us to make that choice. Many aren’t, and it is for them that I am unhappy about these changes.
Those who are still able to work, or transport their kids to school, or live remotely and need to travel to hospital appointments etc are exactly the sort of people who Motability should be supporting. If they weren’t able to do these things then the burden on the state would be much greater. Whilst the 20k Pa limit might have been a bit generous, I just don’t understand why Motability don’t adopt the approach that all other leasing companies do, where you pay a bit more if you need a bigger mileage allowance. It works out much cheaper than paying an excess mileage charge, even when those charges elsewhere are around 10p per mile, let alone the completely rip off 25p per mile that Motability is imposing.
It’s sad that a lot of people will have no choice but to just absorb these additional costs, as they don’t have the financial means or confidence to go elsewhere, but then how will these same people be in a position to pay thousands of pounds excess mileage charges at lease end, and what happens if they can’t? It doesn’t seem very well thought through to me.