yes but thats the rub Glos guy, many cant afford the deposits required or have the money to pay cash even if they can get a deposit together they wouldnt pass a credit check for finance be it hp or a lease. they are reliant on the scheme and probabley more and more the grants available as the ap’s are becoming unaffordable. a bigger concern at the moment i think is the lack of larger vehicles needed by those needing to carry equipment, scooters etc and families. it is becoming hobsons choice for many and the ap’s for those vehicles are high. i know i complain about the lack of suitable choice for me personally but i am more fortunate than most in that i am on wpms so the ap is a little less and my issues mean a smaller suv type will suffice as all i need is an auto that i can get in and out of comfortably and i dont have to consider rugrats a partner or pets not nec in that order for many. whilst it wouldnt be my choice the arona is still available for zero ap on wpms. so i will still be mobile although not necessarily happy with that option. i think mota need to up their game with the grants and support they give those fiscally challenged the rest of us i am afraid to an extent have to suck it up. such is life.
For me, it would be easier finding the cash for a cheap secondhand car, than it would be for an advance payment as the secondhand car would be cheaper. I don’t do finance for cars, wouldn’t pass affordability checks as I don’t earn very much as I can only work very part time hours and don’t claim an income top up due to being paid weekly and my hours being variable.
I did try to go the grant route when my lease had reached the three years but it was a no go as the car was sort of suitable (as in, we had found ways around the issues by having someone with me at all times to get me in and out or I just avoided doing things all together). I was told I had to extend for two years and then see if they can help me at the end of that.
I know I could challenge them on that now (I did try a couple of times at the time) but right now, it is review time and you never know how that is going to go.