Personally I don’t agree with opening up the Motability scheme to those on standard rate PIP (or equivalent) David. The scheme exists to assist those with the most severe disabilities, hence the VAT exemption, and there is already quite a bit of animosity towards those getting “free cars” (as people wrongly see it), let alone opening it up to those with more minor issues.
I do agree that returned cars should be offered up to existing eligible customers though and I have never understood why Motability doesn’t do this, especially as the cars have already benefitted from the VAT exemption.
In my company car days there was a constantly evolving ‘pool’ of returned cars (from when people had resigned, retired or been fired!) and you were allowed to choose one for the remainder of its lease if you preferred it to what you could order new. You could also access one whilst you were waiting for your new car to arrive if there was a delay and your old lease had expired. It was a great idea and I had several cars for a few months each that I would never have ordered but I enjoyed none the less, such as a Peugeot 406 (I think), which was very comfortable and a good motorway car, a BMW 3 Series Coupe and a Volvo 850 2.5 litre.