Sorry to hear that you were unhappy with the outcome. Whilst I am often quick to criticise Motability, I do have some sympathy with them on this.
Grants are effectively paid for by all non-qualifying scheme members, so it’s right that they scrutinise them and only pay them when there is no alternative. A lease extension seems like a sensible solution, especially as many people who have to pay the full AP would themselves like the option to extend rather than having to stump up another AP, especially as they have increased substantially in recent years.
It’s interesting that you say that you might have to stump up a sizeable AP. In my ignorance, I wouldn’t have thought that someone who was in a position to do that would be eligible for a grant? Looking on the bright side, a lease extension gives you options. For as long as you can manage with the car you can avoid paying another AP. Conversely, as lease extensions don’t lock you in for the full two years, you now have ultimate flexibility to go for any suitable car as and when it should come on to the scheme – affordability permitting of course.
As you say, you have more pressing issues at present, so good luck with your operation tomorrow.