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Hi everyone,
I’m just wondering if anyone else has come across this – I’ve got a Volkswagen ID.3 Max on lease through the Motability Scheme, and I’ve just been told that several of the features that came with the car when it was new will stop working unless I start paying for a subscription.
These aren’t just “nice-to-haves” either. We’re talking about the cloud-based navigation system, real-time traffic and hazard updates, vehicle tracking and status through the We Connect app, and more. Some of this stuff, I’d argue, is safety-related – especially the live navigation that uses shared driving data from thousands of other cars. Losing that feels like a step backwards in terms of both usability and safety.
What’s bothering me most is that nobody mentioned anything about subscriptions when I ordered the car, picked it up, or read through the documents.
Volkswagen seems to be implementing this across the whole ID. range – ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, even ID.7 – and I feel like this is something Motability should’ve been upfront about, if they knew. If a key feature of the car is going to disappear halfway through the lease unless we pay extra, that should be made clear before we sign anything.
I’d love to know:
Has anyone else here been caught out by this?
Has anyone spoken to Motability about it, and did they offer any help?
Has anyone actually paid the subscription – and if so, how much was it?
It’s frustrating because this car was marketed as being high-tech and ideal for all kinds of drivers, including disabled users. But now we’re being told to pay more to keep the things that made it safe and user-friendly in the first place?Honestly, it doesn’t feel right.
Thanks for reading – keen to hear others’ experiences.
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perhaps you could argue that such a change in the car renders it unsuitable for your needs and as this wasn’t stipulated in the initial lease, this now violates the terms of your agreement and you wish to cancel the lease.
Just a thought
I had this on the bmw, the subscription was for 3 years. The period of the lease, I extended the lease, and the live Sat nav expired. No problem, just use waze or google maps, which are a lot better, IMHO, the location tracking of the vehicle still works, but I also have an airtag, hidden away, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world, although the on- board app, relays petrol, locking status etc. Check with motobility. As I think the subs should last the whole lease, but it’s the way of the world now, to rinse you through subscriptions. Just watch the ep, Common people on the Black mirror series on Netflix, for the future.
As @LordMuc says, this is becoming the norm with a number of manufacturers now. I agree it’s a pain, especially for those who wish to lease beyond 3 years.
I had it with my Nissan Ariya, after 12 months a lot of things disappeared from the app, including setting the charging, live updates on the sat nav, setting the sat nav from the phone, turning on pre heating (which was a god send in the cold months), remote locking and a car finder (basic tracking), probably a few things I’ve forgotten about. The app on the phone is now useless the only thing on there is when your service is due and to tell you the truth I don’t think I’ve used the app for months, it’s one of the reasons why I won’t be having another Nissan.
@Mark it seems to be the trend with new vehicles. I’d contact Motability and see what they say.
Out of interest, how much do they want to charge you?
Skoda Enyaq Race Blue
It’s the same with my Enyaq. Some of the features will disappear after one year of having the car unless I pay up. It was always 3 years with BMW.
Hi everyone, I’m just wondering if anyone else has come across this – I’ve got a Volkswagen ID.3 Max on lease through the Motability Scheme, and I’ve just been told that several of the features that came with the car when it was new will stop working unless I start paying for a subscription. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves” either. We’re talking about the cloud-based navigation system, real-time traffic and hazard updates, vehicle tracking and status through the We Connect app, and more. Some of this stuff, I’d argue, is safety-related – especially the live navigation that uses shared driving data from thousands of other cars. Losing that feels like a step backwards in terms of both usability and safety. What’s bothering me most is that nobody mentioned anything about subscriptions when I ordered the car, picked it up, or read through the documents. Volkswagen seems to be implementing this across the whole ID. range – ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, even ID.7 – and I feel like this is something Motability should’ve been upfront about, if they knew. If a key feature of the car is going to disappear halfway through the lease unless we pay extra, that should be made clear before we sign anything. I’d love to know: Has anyone else here been caught out by this? Has anyone spoken to Motability about it, and did they offer any help? Has anyone actually paid the subscription – and if so, how much was it? It’s frustrating because this car was marketed as being high-tech and ideal for all kinds of drivers, including disabled users. But now we’re being told to pay more to keep the things that made it safe and user-friendly in the first place? Honestly, it doesn’t feel right. Thanks for reading – keen to hear others’ experiences.
It is common practice we use CarPlay on our Apple iPhone.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
How old is the car? Most of the items you describe are 3 years and that’s it. If you want longer you have to pay for them yourself.
I’ve got a VW Tiguan and it too came with free subs for three years then its a paid for services. Just for this very reason I, like Oscarmax, use CarPlay via my own data connection and independent of the VW system so try Apple or Android nav systems if you need navigation aids like live traffic.
My understanding of the VW system is that the car remains connected to the VW servers free of charge for the safety things like latest speed limits for ACC and such things but as far as I know the satnav in the car still works without subs but you will not get live traffic updates. Only other thing I can think of is the remote lock and unlock stops working but in the two years I’ve had my car I’ve only used that system just to see if it works and I never needed to find where I last parked the car though again I do have an Apple Air Tag hidden in the car should the car ever be stolen.
This is very underhand unless explained fully on collection. Mercedes App also only is for three years and without paying extra, you loose traffic updates for navigation, locking/unlocking thru app, car locator, seat/ mirror linked to remote etc. subscription is £79 per year. As I’d extended the lease, I lost those benefits, some of which I used quite often, Personally, I think if they are time restricted , it should be linked to vehicle servicing. Use a mani dealer to keep the subscription up. (of course, as we use main dealers, it would suit us).
Do all EVs work out the best charging stops when planning a long trip? If so, I’d be very annoyed if this was subscription based and it lost that function.
Online data for connected Travel Assist £86 for 2 years. We connect plus £129 for 1 year.
I couldn’t cope without TA. Shame they don’t sell it annually. At least it isn’t a monthly subscription, yet!
On my ID3 I rarely could get We Connect to, er, connect!
Skoda Enyaq Race Blue
Many of the German cars have lots of subscription items on the cars nowadays.
Probably a point of note for other prospective clients, ensure in writing that all subscription items are there for the complete lease( inc extensions)
Hi
Have been a Motability customer for many years. I was always told by Motability, pay the advance payment and they then take your PIP or DLA. All you need pay for is fuel.
Servicing, tax, insurance and tyres are all covered.
So when was all you need pay for is fuel and any subscriptions added.
I have searched the Motability and cannot find anything to do with subscriptions.
Hi Have been a Motability customer for many years. I was always told by Motability, pay the advance payment and they then take your PIP or DLA. All you need pay for is fuel. Servicing, tax, insurance and tyres are all covered. So when was all you need pay for is fuel and any subscriptions added. I have searched the Motability and cannot find anything to do with subscriptions.
Keep in mind Mark that a Motability lease is 3 years. I think that your argument holds water if any services are provided for less than that, in which case I agree that Motability should pay the cost so that, as you say, you only pay for fuel. However, most of these subscriptions expire at 3 years and it is discretionary whether or not Motability allow an extension. Personally, I’ve never felt that 5 year extensions are value for money, as you are still sacrificing your full benefit allowance for a 4/5 year old car, and this growing problem with subscriptions further enforces that view.
It may be argued that the subscriptions are basically extras, unless, it’s a one off lifetime type, which you pay for, as many cars now have “over the air updates” to upgrade the car. The bmw satnav functions perfectly well after the sub has lapst, except for live traffic info, for which their are workarounds, I assume BMW, pay for the info, so it’s just passing on a cost. The BMW app also works perfectly, except for remote unlocking/locking. I agree with the subs lasting the time of the lease, however manufacturers have wised up to extra revenue and may only offer a year, (buyer beware), which is nothing to do with motobility, as they would class it, an extra. It really has not bothered me as android auto, or car play work seamless and wireless, are our much better. As with all the Technology now, data is valuable, and you are the product.
I was always told by Motability, pay the advance payment and they then take your PIP or DLA. All you need pay for is fuel.
That is so right. Motability need to catch up.
Skoda Enyaq Race Blue
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