I have just had an issue with the grant team at Motability Foundation, they approved a Large SUV Estate Auto with Electric Tailgate at £999, and a 40kg hoist at £570. I didn’t apply for the hoist, this was suggested by the case officer dealing with my application.
The car they thought was suitable was a VW ID4 at £999, I can’t do electric, the car I wanted was an additional £800 at £1799, but they only allow you to add an extra £500, and there was nothing prior to 1st April AP changes that was suitable for £1499.
I have complained, and taken it as far as I could with them, but every response back was just generic, despite the initial grant being for a Large SUV Auto, the VW ID4, is a medium SUV according to Motability. They then suggested the Fiat 600 at £999, which is a small SUV, then came other suggestions for electric cars all small SUV’s, before suggesting the Peugeot 3008 which I even referred to as trying but I can’t lift my leg into it!
Whilst I appreciate the grant system has to be careful with money spending, and I appreciated any initial offer of a grant, I feel their responses where boarding on discriminatory towards those with disabilities, especially given I was not allowed to contribute £800, why? What difference to them does me contributing £500 or £800 make if it means I get the car that is suitable, ticks all the relevant boxes, and is likely not to be returned months down the line because it is not suitable for my needs.
The dealership I was dealing with, even asked if they could contribute toward the AP, reducing my £800 contribution to £500, and the answer was NO!
I asked this morning if I could use the grant for the Ford Puma at £1395, and I am waiting for the case officer to get back to me, but the lovely man I spoke to on the phone said, it was unlikely to be approved as it was a small SUV, yet last week they were suggesting a Fiat 600 which is a small SUV! I pointed this out and emphasized that the Ford Puma’s boot was much bigger than the Fiat 600.
Anyway, I think I have decided, I will purchase the car I want and need and pay the AP myself, I have thought long and hard about going on the scheme, and looked at every local car dealership possible, took cars for drives, weighed up the pros and cons, and I don’t feel happy with the Motability Foundation pushing an unsuitable car on me because they won’t allow me to contribute £800 towards the AP, is right.
They seem to have an underlying agenda to only offer EV’s.