Thank you Glos Guy. I was prepared to overlook the colour and to pay the extra £300 AP ( even though this was dealer error). But I really struggled when they asked for £600 for something that I didn’t ask for. So I’m not sure what my error was except for trying to be as reasonable as possible? Please advise on what I need to do to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Thank you
1) When deciding on a car, be 100% clear about the exact model you want (each model has a different Motability number which you can find on their website under vehicle search) and the colour exterior and interior you want, plus any options you are prepared to pay for.
2) Present that info to a dealer and ask them “whether or not their available build slot allocations will allow them to order that car immediately”. Build slots open up to dealers in batches and unless you ask directly they won’t be honest about this. There are countless examples on this forum of multiple people ordering the same car, one gets it after 3 months and another is still waiting after 6 months. This is always because the first dealer had an available build slot and ordered immediately, whereas the second dealer didn’t and ‘sat’ on the order for 3 months before placing it (without telling the customer).
3) Get order documentation from the dealer that shows the exact model, specification and colour, plus any options. That way you know that they have ordered the correct car.
4) Ask the dealer for a tracking number that allows you to monitor your cars progress. If they don’t (or won’t) provide this the chances are they haven’t ordered it yet.
5) A good dealer should update you monthly, even if just to say nothing has changed. If they don’t, chase them. If you get nowhere, try the manufacturers U.K. helpline.
6) If the AP goes up after you order you are protected from the increase. If the AP drops, ask the dealer to amend the Motability system to the lower AP. This does not affect the lead time as it is not the order, it’s just admin. It takes them 5 minutes and doesn’t affect what they receive for the car. The order is between the dealer and manufacturer and is not affected by an AP change
7) Finally, when the car arrives, make 100% sure that the car is absolutely what you ordered before entering your PIN. Once you enter the PIN you are committed to the car, but you can reject the car if it isn’t correct by not entering the PIN.
