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Here’s the starting point for me deciding what my next car will be. I’ve some set criteria:
Electric – if you don’t like them, good for you but this will be my 4th, I’m not going back now.
Comfortable seats – Both myself and my wife have spinal issues, sitting on the wrong chairs can be incredibly painful and rather quickly too. I’d hate to have a car that I can only drive locally because after half an hour I can’t actually get out of the damn thing. Heating and Cooling seats would be good, heated is essential though, it’s amazing how that can help the back.
Electric tailgate – again with the back issues, stretching up to pull a boot door down, especially if the gas struts put up some resistance, is a problem.
HUD – I’ve gotten used to it now, I can’t remember the last time I looked at the dash to see how fast I’m going.
Wireless Apple Carplay – Pretty much all I listen to is on the phone, it’s either music or audio books but I rarely listen to the radio as it’s usually crap down here.
As you can imagine the current selection is rather lengthy. I’ve barely began whittling them down so here we go, in no particular order:
Ioniq 5
Enyaq
Elroq
Capri (I know but it’s not a bad car)
Grandland
Scenic
Mach E
Ariya
Budget depends on just how much I can save, which means it won’t be excessive, so that will drop a lot off the list. Currently to replace what I have, thanks to the model changes, would cost something around £6.5k, which isn’t happening. If I could save that in 3 years, I’d be much richer than I am in reality.
Front runners based on budget and equipment are either of the Skodas and the Scenic at the moment. I don’t care about the Elroq dropping off the scheme next quarter, it’ll be back before it matters to me. I’m still hoping the EV3 comes onto scheme and sticks around, that’d be a nice option, although I expect KIA pricing will put it higher than the Fords.
I’ve learnt some lessons from my last search, so the infamous spreadsheet is being updated each quarter, with a new tab holding the new quarter’s pricing and leaving previous quarters for reference. I’m hoping this may provide some interesting insights once the car is chosen, looking at where prices and models have come/gone.
I’ll update as I start to whittle out some options and as new quarters add a new perspective on the search. If there’s anything anyone wishes to add, I’m always open to opinions.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
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Its ashame that the Mrs didnt like the Enyaq that still wouldve been my top choice to recommend in this case. Is it possible that tbey may like the refit when thats out? It upgrades the interior a bit and give some new features.
I’ve not been following the plans for the refit, if it’s out before November we’ll give it a try but it’ll need to be a substantial improvement just for me to get them willing to try it.
I would love to see a bunch of new BEVs come to market and the Scheme this Autumn but I’ve not heard of anything that’s bigger than the usual crossover SUVs. Focus seems to be at hatch or smaller.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I should have mine by September to October time fitted with adaptations can do a review on it if you’d like. Itll be a sportline 85x so itll be top trim. I require a wheelchiar and ill have a powerchair too so can show both?
At last!!!!
We went to a local classic car show which was much bigger than the last one we attended.
In amongst the classics were a few new cars, Jaecoo and Omoda had new SHS cars, there were some Fords, KIAs and MGs plus a couple of Nissans, the Micra and the brand new, had it 3 days LEAF!!
At last I manage to sit in the new Leaf, and I can sit in the bugger!! Comfortable seats, enough space, I like the design, Mrs F sat in both front and back and declared both comfortable.
Being somewhat jaded by this process, I’m half expecting the different trim to have a different manufacturing code and, therefore, not be eligible for the scheme even if the model we need is available.
What did surprise me was the door handles, electric pop out of the type that could be an issue in case of a power failure.
There are buttons of a sort under the screen, I’m guessing they take you to the relevant menu rather than operate the functions alone.
All in all, it’s a lovely car, built in this country and capable of a decent range.
This means the current approved list is the EV5 and the Leaf with the Geely still on the likeable list as long as I can convince Jnr she hasn’t really got a problem. 😁
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
Hopefully it joins the scheme in time! Manual release for door handles inside?
The sales manager expects to see it added in weeks, they’ve a big event upcoming and have some Nissan H.O. types down.
As for the door handles, no idea.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I am trying to understand that £8595 advance payment for the WAV version of the KIA PV5 from GM Coachworks compared with £3349 advance payment for the unmodified version.
GM Coachworks claim to have lowered the floor. But the PV5 floor is already low and the 1406mm wheelchair passenger headroom seems to be only a few mm different to the standard version headroom. And a higher H2 version of the PV5 is due next year.
GM Coachworks have added a ramp and wheelchair securing facilities. But these features do not seem to justify an extra £5246 in advance payment over the unmodified version?
I am trying to understand that £8595 advance payment for the WAV version of the KIA PV5 from GM Coachworks compared with £3349 advance payment for the unmodified version. GM Coachworks claim to have lowered the floor. But the PV5 floor is already low and the 1406mm wheelchair passenger headroom seems to be only a few mm different to the standard version headroom. And a higher H2 version of the PV5 is due next year. GM Coachworks have added a ramp and wheelchair securing facilities. But these features do not seem to justify an extra £5246 in advance payment over the unmodified version?
Does that version rear load or is it still a side ramp? Otherwise I can’t think of why it’s necessary to pay that much.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
The GM Coachworks version is rear entry.
KIA has developed a side entry WAV version. But Motability has not yet added it to its scheme.
The GM Coachworks version is rear entry. KIA has developed a side entry WAV version. But Motability has not yet added it to its scheme.
Didn’t Kia & Motability sign a MOU towards the end of 2025 for the factory built WAV for the first half of 2026 and was to include V2H/V2G bidirectional charging and hopefully, converted to LHD, so the ramp at least opens on the pavement!
Maybe fire an email to Miller, given he signed the MOU.
https://worldwide.kia.com/en/newsroom/view/?id=161015
The KIA PV5 passenger has 5 doors with side doors on either side. So theoretically the WAV side ramp will work on either side.
It may require wheelchair securing points to be repositioned for UK customers (RHD) wanting pavement access. But hopefully that would be an easy task?
Updated my search results and it’s not looking good. The only car still on Scheme and returning a definite yes is the EV5. The only model that fits all criteria is the GT Line which is silly money. I wonder if the Grant team would actually pay that much?
The Leaf’s boot gives me the same problems as the Ioniq 5, with my walking getting worse, I’m facing the need for a walker rather than a stick or, worse, a buggy instead. The latter definitely won’t fit in the Leaf and leave space for shopping, the former would barely leave space.
This getting old lark isn’t fun anymore.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I mean looking at the Grant no i dont think they will as its over £6K AP. I think even the base EV5 might be a struggle, but thats something to see, I could see the grants team potentially pushing the Enyaq given the AP.
I’ve had a preliminary chat with the Grants team and talked through with them the troubles we were having finding a suitable car within our budget, given that was a rather large budget for us and they were happy to consider whether the EV5 GT Line or Air would be suitable. With the electric tailgate and electric seats in the GT Line, it may be easier to convince them that’s where my needs point and I’ve an extensive list of cars I’ve tried both on and off the scheme in order to maximise the ones suitable and that list is painfully limited. There are 4 cars where we have enough boot space, the seats are comfortable and there’s enough space for me. Those cars are: EV5, Volvo XC40, BYD Sealion 7, Nissan Ariya 87kWh and of those only 1 is on the Scheme.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
A strange update today.
From the meeting held with my MP back in April I received a reply from Stephen Timms himself:
Dear Perran,
Thank you for your email of 28 July on behalf of Mr Mark Fillingham about Motability Scheme affordability.
I am grateful you have taken the trouble to get in touch about this. I appreciate Mr Fillingham’s concerns about the increasing cost of vehicles available through the Motability Scheme, particularly given the importance of having access to a vehicle that meets his specific mobility needs.
The Government recognises that the Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance.
The reforms announced in the Budget last November will remove VAT relief on Advance Payments, a one-off voluntary payment required to lease more expensive vehicles, so that tax changes are focused on the most premium vehicles within the Scheme.
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will also apply to leases at the standard rate, bringing tax treatment in line with commercial leasing firms. VAT reliefs on weekly lease costs and vehicle resale will remain in place. There will be no changes to existing leases.
Vehicles that are substantially designed for, or adapted for, wheelchair or stretcher users will continue to benefit from VAT reliefs on advance payments and the IPT exemption, in recognition of the additional costs associated with these vehicles. Motability Operations has confirmed it will continue to offer a broad range of vehicles available without an Advance Payment, ensuring that people can access vehicles suited to their needs.
While we appreciate that increases in vehicle costs can be challenging, it is important to consider the value of the Motability Scheme’s comprehensive package. In addition to the vehicle itself, the lease typically includes insurance for up to three named drivers, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover, tyre replacement, and support for many unexpected motoring costs. This provides customers with peace of mind and helps ensure disabled people can access reliable mobility support without the uncertainty of many of the costs associated with private vehicle ownership.
Motability Foundation will also continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Motability Scheme. The responsibility for management of the Scheme, and oversight of decisions such as the cost of vehicles that are available on the Scheme, falls to Motability and its Board of Governors. Any questions relating to the operation of the scheme itself should be directed to Motability. Mr Fillingham can contact them at the following address: Chief Executive of Motability, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5PX. Thank you once again for taking the trouble to write.
Please do not hesitate to do so again about this or any other matter.
With all best wishes
Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP
Minister of State for Social Security and DisabilitySo, just the usual political BS.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I think part of the problem is that the Government and Motability, seems to associate premium cars with luxury and not necessity to meet disability needs.
Also the Government don’t seem to associate any connection between the lack of pip keeping up with inflation and the. Increase of AP’s.
The fact they both ignore, is the more disabled you are, the more you need to spend on AP’s.
Cars with no AP’s may well meet the needs of customers with lesser disabilities, but many of our needs are not met by small basic cars.
The reforms announced in the Budget last November will remove VAT relief on Advance Payments, a one-off voluntary payment required to lease more expensive vehicles, so that tax changes are focused on the most premium vehicles within the Scheme.
There are 20 vehicles inc multiples of the same vehicles/s out of a total of 755 that carry £0 AP.
The vehicles that carry a £0 AP include, Citreon C3/C3 Aircross, Dacia Spring /Sandero, Kia Picanto / Stonic, Hyundai Inster, Ford Puma etc. The Dacia Jogger is the outlier and not suitable for everone.
If you are unlucky enough to be disabled, requiring a wheelchair and have a family to tag along or are large / tall person, you have basically sh!t, it if money is tight, leaving the only option hoping grants will play nice.
So anything of a decent size with necesities, not nice to have including, but not limited to electric seats for example, is going to start at a bare minimum £1200 (MG HS Trophy) and realistically upwards of 3 grand discounting the Enyak, which is not suitable for all.
Are they missing something in that reply?
My attitude has changed I set a very strict budget, our next Mobility vehicle Skoda Enyaq 85 £995, I used to polish the Suzuki Across twice a year with Autoglym then final finish, this year just a wash and a shammy leather.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
My attitude has changed I set a very strict budget, our next Mobility vehicle Skoda Enyaq 85 £995, I used to polish the Suzuki Across twice a year with Autoglym then final finish, this year just a wash and a shammy leather.
My sentiments exactly as I used to give my MB cars a hard wax coat every Spring and Autumn but now its the cheapest car wash with no wax treatment what so ever. Not to mention the hard work that takes me hours and hours to clean the wheels, they won’t get my time again.
It’s an unfortunate view to take because when I return my cars I always get praised for the pristine condition of the cars and what do we get out of it, £250 that wouldn’t even pay for a Fish supper for the family these days.
Minium care and a vacuum inside from time to time from now on, MB and HMG don’t give a damn about us, they can go to Hell.
Where the hell are you getting your fish suppers, Harrods? 😆
I’ll continue to pamper our i4 as it’s the best car we’ve had, but even I have noticed a cooling off of my desire to keep it immaculate.
The other week some rotten pigeon had splattered on the tailgate and rear panel.
I left it a few days which would have been unheard of a few years ago.
Once it was cleaned off, it left a mark in the paint. So out came the scratch remover and hybrid ceramic wax and it’s all but disappeared 🤦
2024 - BMW i4 Grand Coupe eDrive 35 Sport
2020 - Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription
2017 - Audi Q3 TFSi Sport S-TronicI agree with a lot of what’s been said. I’ve replied to my MP giving nothing I’ve not already shared on here, the requirements we have for a car, why we’ve set them and what that means in terms of what we can actually choose from when the time comes. I’ve argued that calling an MGS6 premium is missing the point somewhat. That expecting disabled people to find large sums of money just because they need aids to get around or have a family (or both) isn’t taxing premium choices but ignoring the realities of the options Motability and the manufacturers have given us.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
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