Motability’s value has tanked in the last year, compared to what it was and to the private market but it still has a few things that are not financial that may make it better for disabled people
VED – yes that’s an entitlement that actually comes from Higher Rate DLA / PIP etc but many lease companies won’t apply it, as the private lease car is registered to the lease company. Motability register it to the disabled person.
That matters for a number of exemptions (Dartford / TfL / M6Toll etc)
Adaptions – I’ve asked several lease companies / PCP and they won’t allow them as they are not just modifications, but often change the structure of the car. In addition to that, the cost of leasing the adaption from Motability makes the cost to the customer much less.
Loss of DLA / PIP. In the case of loss with Motability, the car is taken away, but there is no default recorded on your credit file or insurance MID.
If you lose DLA / PIP etc privately you will almost certainly be liable for the remainder of the lease. Yes you’ll also keep the car, but is the lease still affordable without the PIP / DLA money.
APs are going up, a lot, and yes Motabilty might be able to reduce admin costs, but a lot of the increase we are seeing is due to manufacturers decreasing discounts and final sale values tanking. Both of those are somewhat out of their hands.
Manufactures often use the scheme to ‘keep the lights on at a factory’ or in the case of EVs, sell enough to make a dent is the ZEV targets for the year, which are manufacturing group wide*.
Having said all that if a private lease works for you, then take the private lease.
*I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if that’s why the Enyaq has gone up so much. The order book is full for 4-5 months and VAG have a large chunk of their target set. VAG don’t need Motability at this point.