Email received after i emailed motorbility that the car i got ,i planned for 5year lease..
Thank you for the prompt response to our email, sent 4 January 2024.
I would like to apologise that the information was not made clearer, during your previous communications with Motability Operations. I have enclosed additional information regarding the changes to lease extensions over the last few years, and hope this is helpful.
Motability Operations introduced the automatic six month extension back in 2019, as a temporary solution to ensure customers were kept mobile during Cov-id. As you may be aware, during the last few years there has a great deal of vehicle manufacturing disruption. This disruption was mainly caused by a shortage of micro-chips and components and caused significant delays on new car orders and production. As a result, we increased the lease extension option to two years to ensure customers continued to be supported. I can confirm that these issues are now mainly resolved and cars are becoming available more quickly. Consequently, Motability Operations have made the decision to revert back to the criteria set out prior to covid.
I can confirm the lease extension facility is not part of your contractual agreement. As such, we have not sent out communications regarding these changes on social media or as letters to customers at the current time. However, this will be provided to customer when their renewal letters are sent at the end of their agreement. When a lease extension is requested we will discuss your needs and how your vehicle supports you currently. Please be assured, we review every lease extension request on a case by case scenario and will aim to offer you the best solution to ensure you are kept mobile in a vehicle that suits your personal needs. Though I do appreciate forums can be helpful in finding out information and discussing the facilities the Scheme offers. I would like to explain that decisions relating to each customer’s agreements are tailormade to their individual needs. This means that sometimes different decisions are offered and advise given.
It may be helpful to know there are some exceptions where a lease extension can be offered automatically, these are listed below : –
Where a vehicle is heavily adapted
Where the vehicle has very low mileage
I appreciate that the vehicle you have chosen carries a large Advance Payment (AP) and the lease extension was a consideration when choosing the car. Although we are unable to predict what AP prices will look like in three year’s time. It may be useful to know that the Motability Foundation may be able to assist with the AP on your next replacement vehicle, if you do not have the funds available at the end of your agreement. Should your vehicle still suit your needs, the foundation may authorise an extension of your current vehicle as an alternative, to providing a grant towards the new AP. However, this will need to be discussed closer to your renewal period at the end of the new agreement.
I would like to thank you again for contacting us and raising your concerns. I hope my explanations have provided some reassurance and helped to put you mind at ease. Should you need any further assistance please feel free to contact us again.
Yours sincerely