@bogzaf Deposits are yet another area where different dealers adopt different approaches! The Motability stance on this is that some dealers may ask for a deposit and are perfectly entitled to do so. However, many dealers don’t ask for one (my BMW dealer didn’t, even though I added a lot of expensive options to the car) and some will ask but not push it if you say you’re not happy to.
My advice would always be to avoid paying a deposit and also to have the £750 new car bonus paid directly to the customer after pick up and not direct to the dealer to deduct from the AP. That way, if you change your mind (e.g. a better car comes on the scheme and you want to cancel, or the AP drops and the dealer won’t spend the 5 minutes adjusting the admin) you have no tie to the dealer whatsoever and can walk away. There have been a few examples on here over the years where people have cancelled their order and dealers have been difficult about refunding deposits. They have no choice but to eventually refund, as we never enter into a legally binding contract with the dealership, but some people have had real difficulty. In one case I had to help the person get their money back. It’s a hassle that people can do without.