I used to buy 12/18 month old cars low mileage cars which have depreciated in value, for example an Audi A4 Advant S Line full loaded when new @£34,000 +, I brought from an Audi dealer 18 months old for £18,000, they obviously had their mark up say £3000 so probably owed them £15,000.
I ran it for 2 years before changing it to a Honda CRV, in practise I lost about £5,000 in depreciation, £700 in insurance not forgetting servicing and running cost say £1,000, so a total of £6700 in 2 years.
Then I part exchanged the Audi for the Honda CRV £23,000 sold it less than 2 years later for £13,000, depreciation due the diesel scandal, 2 years servicing and running cost including 2 tyres £1000, and not forgetting insurance £700, total loss £11,700.
So in practise over 4 years I have lost approximately £18,400 in 4 years ( I except the loss on the Honda was exceptional due to the diesel scandal and depreciation would have been around the £6,000 as opposed to £10,000) Which would have meant my losses would have nearer £14, 400 over the 4 years.
We came to conclusion the Motability scheme is a no brainer, even a decent specification car with an £2000 AP 3 years Mobility payments £9700, there is little to be gained struggling to buy privately, plus all the hassle and you get a new car every year
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.