Thanks for the initial feedback, everyone. I’m expecting an update from the dealer on Monday so it’s super useful to know that I could still cancel the order. When placing it the salesperson told me that the sale was final, and I couldn’t back out.
This is of course nonsense. One could argue about a sale being final if you add a few options etc, but for the sale to be final you’d need to be able to receive the car you actually ordered, too. You, absolutely and of course, can back out of a contract that the dealership isn’t willing to keep by “offering” you a different car.
Even more so considering that i suspect that they’re trying to offload a car that someone else cancelled.
Here’s what you need to ask yourself. How fast do you need the new car. If you don’t need a new car right now, no way i would take it. Even keeping in mind that cancelling and re-ordering will add substantially to the waiting time on the new car.
I’d also call Motability and explain the situation, and that you don’t feel safe in a 2WD car in your area. In fact, with such blatant lying and trying to bend you over, i’d report them to any outlet that i could, including roasting them on their social media.
This reeks of “the disabled guy should be happy he gets a car in the first place, so he should be happy with whatever he gets”, makes my blood boil.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.