[Graeme]

I called motability customer services yesterday and enquired if they could tell me which cars on the scheme have seen a 4th quarter reduction in the advanced payment requirement compared to 3rd quarter advance payment levels. Also, which cars have seen no movement in advance payment levels from 3rd quarter to Mondays 4th quarter pricing. They said that they were not at liberty to share that info.

I now regret not completing the purchase of the Mercedes A200 AMG line last week because the advanced payment was only £999 whereas since Monday the same car now requires a £1699 advance payment.

Other Q3 advance payment prices that i know from memory have increased in Q4 are Ford Puma & BMW 1 Series. Maybe its just me but i absolutely don’t want to pay hundreds of pounds extra advance payment for a car that was much cheaper only 24hrs ago.

Topic

[BigDave]

Graeme wrote:

I called motability customer services yesterday and enquired if they could tell me which cars on the scheme have seen a 4th quarter reduction in the advanced payment requirement compared to 3rd quarter advance payment levels. Also, which cars have seen no movement in advance payment levels from 3rd quarter to Mondays 4th quarter pricing. They said that they were not at liberty to share that info. I now regret not completing the purchase of the Mercedes A200 AMG line last week because the advanced payment was only £999 whereas since Monday the same car now requires a £1699 advance payment. Other Q3 advance payment prices that i know from memory have increased in Q4 are Ford Puma & BMW 1 Series. Maybe its just me but i absolutely don’t want to pay hundreds of pounds extra advance payment for a car that was much cheaper only 24hrs ago.

 

I hate to say it, but both on Motability’s own website and as often mentioned in threads on this forum for the last month or so, Motability did warn that they were expecting advance payments to rise in Q4 and if one was in a position to do so, to order before 30th September

As for CS not knowing the previous quarter’s AP’s, that is quite possible as to avoid the increase in AP’s.  they will be working on a live system, with the current pricing. They may have archived the previous quarter’s AP’s so would not necessarily be available to front line CS staff. In any case I doubt if they could give you statistical information on price movements for the same reason.

[Graeme]

Hi Big Dave,

Sadly i’ve only been looking for a motability car since the middle of last week when i recieved my higher rate mobility award so any warnings about potential price hikes in advance payments prior to then i was oblivious to.

[wmcforum]

Graeme,

There are reductions in price, I’m going through every price now.

The Audi Q2 has come down in petrol, the Hyundai Ioniq reduced by £1100, the Seat range have held up or reduced in price. Electric cars in the Zoe and MG also.

The rule of thumb is if you find the vehicle you want at a price you are willing to pay then go for it. If you are keeping the vehicle for 3 or five years it’s a long time to repent not getting the car you wanted because it was cheaper yesterday. Most manufacturers put up their prices one a year so you could fall foul at retail too.

 

[Philjb]

Graeme

you’ll find each quarter there are ups and downs in APs, these can change at any time, models come and go, with the occasional dealer discounts to watch out for.

Just like buying a car privately it’s still  a good idea to shop around and ask for any discounts direct to the dealers.

[Author]

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