I was offered the option of paying £25 for fuel when ordering. I decided I’d pay it.
Upon collecting my car (plug-in hybrid) it was a different sales person who said, “We’re sorry we couldn’t charge your car up ready for collection, so we’ve filled it with fuel”.
I was happy with that. But when I went to pay AP (fortunately they accepted credit card), the price still included the original £25 fuel allowance. The sales person couldn’t figure out how to remove it and then made out that it was still chargeable as they give me a “full tank”, rather than just £25 of fuel.
So, in brief, I think paying towards fuel is becoming more common. With less work being authorised (such as final service) by Motability, I think dealerships are having to penny pinch in response to less work they can bill to Motability.