@Mike @kezo I should perhaps have been clearer. What I am not suggesting is that a higher AP for those who need to do higher mileages is calculated at the equivalent of 25p per mile – not even close. If I was, I agree with you that it would make no sense to pay that up front.
What I am saying is that Motability should do what all other leasing companies do (and PCP deals do) and allow customers to select a mileage cap at varying costs (in this case, varying APs). The extra cost for higher mileage users elsewhere works out nothing like 25p per mile, but a tiny fraction of that (some people have already posted examples). It is because I feel that the 25p per mile is a complete rip off that I feel that Motability should be adopting the approach that everyone else does.
With no option to select a higher mileage cap at a modest additional cost, those needing to do higher mileages have two options. Stump up a vast rip off penalty surcharge at the end of the lease, or leave the scheme and go elsewhere – an option that won’t be available to many scheme customers with poor credit ratings etc.
As previously mentioned, even if we were staying in the scheme (which we aren’t) we wouldn’t be affected by this, but I feel for those who will be, and I don’t understand why Motability is adopting a different approach to everyone else.