[Brydo]

First of all we blamed Brexit, then the chip shortage and now salary sacrifice. But are we just witnessing the demise of motability.

The scheme was set up to provide vehicles for disabled people but not necessarily to provide what most want in this day and age and that’s cars that are for more than A – B travelling.

Society has become wealthier over the years giving people more disposable income so many expect, myself included, top cars, cars with “Bells and Whistles”. However, recently, the choice has evaporated and although still doing what was intended of the scheme, many are disappointed by what’s on offer.

We have heard of forum members recently leaving the scheme, “bigdave” and “vinalspin” , and I fear they won’t be the last.

The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.

Topic

[Tharg]

Are Motability Operations in a chronic state though Tharg?
The aspects of the scheme which I feel are “chronic” are those which affect the members needing cars, not the management. Ever shrinking choice of suitable vehicles in particular. I may be wrong but I believe this was happening way before Covid or any other recent cause.

 

[Glos Guy]

Tharg wrote:

Are Motability Operations in a chronic state though Tharg? The aspects of the scheme which I feel are “chronic” are those which affect the members needing cars, not the management. Ever shrinking choice of suitable vehicles in particular. I may be wrong but I believe this was happening way before Covid or any other recent cause.

Ah, I see. Yes, I agree. The decline in choice has been persistent over many years, well before Covid or chip shortages.

[Psuader]

Motability is at fault.

It cowered and pandered to Daily Mail reader types and cut our choice of cars. That worked to a point but it left itself open to the pandemic/ chip shortage/ Brexit nightmare scenario more than would have been the case. Too few apples in too few baskets meant huge risk. And they gambled badly.

It can only make money if it delivers what customers want, so it has to change, adapt and modernise- or die. If it dies, there will likely be a shell of a charity left, issuing the equivalent of blue 3 wheelers to only the most in need. The rest of us will have to find alternatives. The squeezed middle again.

And while its in our interests Motability doesn’t die, we have little control in influencing that. It doesn’t listen and is blind to the oncoming iceberg.

[YorkMan]

I went to my local VW showroom to test drive the ID3 and they had only 1 car in the showroom – and that had been sold to a customer.  3 major manufacturers that I know of (Ford, Nissan and VW) have withdrawn cars from the scheme due to the unprecedented times of Covid and hence semi-conductor chip shortages.  Part of the problem lay in the supply chain (the “just in time” supply chain) which may be more efficient but it means that parts are no longer stored which allowed for supply problems that may occur.  It is also an over-dependence on other countries.  I do not think that you can blame Motability for this.

I do think that Motability makes far too much money (at least it seems that way) and that they do not put anything in their Magazine to explaiin what they are doing and why – and they do seem to be losing touch.  Having said that we got an ID3 Tour Pro for £1,500 AP – which beat anything else on the market for leasing.

There are still plenty of cars on the scheme.  I do not think breaking up Motability will help.  You will get what you have in all “privatisation” … confusion.  There will be so many different players offering all different schemes, they will probably introduce a daily standing charge and price per miles driven – I don’t know, whatever confuses people and disguises things as much as possible, all in the name of “choice”.  There will be no pressure or influence at all that can be imposed upon manufacturers (even less than now) – what influence is one company going to have with 10,000 customers?  You will have even less choice.

If you are not happy with the scheme contact Motability and/or leave – that’s your choice.  I am keeping an eye on other lease schemes as they do seem to be getting cheaper and this seems to be the way that the market is moving so this will probably be one of the main driving influences upon Motability.

We are also seeing a move towards EV’s (many which seem more expensive, which is due to the manufacturers or lack of more govt support) and what is not mentioned here is the support Motability give towards home chargers, basically, you get a free charger, that is a massive saving (I appreciate some can’t have chargers, so maybe they could reduce the AP for those that get an EV but don’t take up the free charger offer?).

Once the semi-conductor shortage is over (and more companies are predicting Spring next year due to the fact that new factories are now up and running at 100% capacity) you will see cars return.  Don’t be fooled by more “choice” being better than what we have now, you will probably end up paying more and having less choice.  The Motability scheme supports thousands who are happy with it.  It also has a grant facilility that can support those that maybe have more needs or requirements.

I am not going to respond to any comments based upon my post as there are some people on this forum who are incapable of adult discussion.

[ChrisK]

I think one of the reasons cars are being taken off Motability is the inflationary impact of raw materials and fuel cost to the manufactures. Inflation in Germany is running at 6% at the moment.

I’ve been following the AP and manufactures price rises for the German made VW Tiguan since the start of the year and VW have increased there prices at least 3 times, maybe 4 times as I lost count.

In August there was a price rise and the Tiguan removed from Motability for it to return in the new quarter a month or so later with an increased AP. There was another increase yesterday and as we know the Tiguan has gone again along with the EV’s this time around. My guess is they will be back on in Q1 22 with a AP to take into account the inflated prices.

I’ve got a Tiguan on order when I managed to place an order in-between the comings and goings and that particular trim and model has increase £850 since I ordered 5 weeks ago.

We can’t blame Motability for all that and just think there struggling to keep up with the manufactures but think the chip problem might go another 12 months yet, personal feelings, but the Yanks are building a new 12 Billion Dollar chip factory to bring the chip manufacturing back west but they’ve been building for a year and another two years before its up and running.

One thing from my point of view that makes me wonder if we’re being taken for a ride by Motability prices is the hoist I have on order that has had a price increase of over 100% since I last ordered one 3 years ago and that hasn’t got any chips in it and is way above any inflationary trends for raw material.

[Author]

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