unfortunately rox, some cant work or like me only part time and just exceed the tax credit threshhold etc so are v unlikely to qualify for hp or a loan. so the only alternative to the scheme is a cheap runabout 2nd hand that we have to have the cash for, a vicious circle. thats what i am going to have to do i think extend for 2 years with the aim to save enough to buy a 2nd hand suv. which may suit as it prob wouldnt have all this touch feely screen crap and robot drivers interfering, ma even have knobs and buttons lol.
I have not worked since 2004 and got finance on the basis of my income alone, from the contribution based esa and the pip allowance I recieve and my excellent credit rating, which i have built up since having to stop working with 0% loans 1st with an argos card and then with 2 / 0% purchase credit cards and a samsung mobile phone on 0% also.
The car i got was almost 25k I put down 2.5k and is also on 0% via the manufacturers own finance my bank wanted a silly apr amount for a loan which i was considering to get a used car it was advertised from 2.7% and most manufacturers offers was lower than what the banks offered. The 0% was a huge factor in me getting the car i did and making the move when i did. Now it’s 6.8% but they give you 2k towards it.
When looking the new car wasn’t that much more than one a few years old once you added the interest, So it can be done, even if on a low income, really it depends on your disposable income and I don’t really have a lot of out goings.
I get it won’t work for some, but it is an option worth looking at. also like you I want to future proof myself against many things i don’t like about the way cars are going and also I need an automatic and worry about used ones more than i would with a manual.