That would pop you in the 4.5%. Congrats.
What I am confused that if I am in 4.5% only and the vast majority don’t get even close to my mileage, than the statement that Motability vehicles are life changing is not defendable. It would cost significantly less money to the government to simply cover the costs of shipping things like grocery (NHS prescriptions delivery is already free, at least for the elderly I know in Newcastle) as well as a couple of taxi’s a week: lost of 20% VAT on the cars on the scheme vs the costs of taxis etc. Wouldn’t you agree?
I would agree that the term ‘life changing’ might be a bit of a stretch (anyone who can afford to sacrifice £12k in benefits every 3 years can afford to run a second hand car privately as tens of millions of private motorists do – assuming that they can save the initial deposit etc), but I would not want to deprive people of the choice.
I do around 10k miles a year and the case for Motability versus private (I would buy, not lease) is a fine one, and I personally think that anyone who is doing less than say 6k miles a year is not using their money sensibly by leasing a brand new car, even through Motability, but I’d defend their right to do so if that’s their choice.
In summary, it shouldn’t be for the government to pay for the alternative services that you suggest as viable alternatives. That’s what the benefits (PIP etc) are designed to cover and most recipients of these benefits do just that rather than lease through Motability.