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Looks like Motability are really tightening the purse strings.
I’m due to “swap” my Motability car (KIA Sportage) next week, for another KIA.
I took it in for it’s service and M.O.T. last Thursday. Today a message appeared stating that the service is due.
I contacted the dealership to check the service had been done. The receptionist said that it will just be the service interval reminder that needs resetting. I asked if she could check that the service was actually completed as I only had paper work for the M.O.T.
She then told me that only M.O.T. had been completed and when would I like to bring it in for the service. I mentioned about the “swap” and she then realised it was a Motability car. She told me that Motability had refused the service, as they are now conducting end of contract services themselves.Now this seems like a good way for Motability to save money. But I think it’s a bad idea for brands that have warranties longer than 3 years, to not have the service completed in time.
For example, my KIA would have had a further 4 years warranty remaining. This generation KIA Sportage is usually in the top 3 for car sales and constantly been top for SUV sales. I.e. customers wanting a used Sportage have a lot to choose from. So when most have 4 years warranty left and ex-Motability have zero warranty, I’d imagine the value of the car would be far less than the savings Motability would be making by doing the final service themselves.
And lets be honest, the less Motability pay the dealerships, for the “extras” like servicing, the less appealing for the dealership to be part of the Motability scheme. Possibly could have a knock on effect to Advance Payments, but as these go to the Manufacturer, rather than dealership, hopefully not.
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Personally, I don’t care, as it’s not my car. If Motability don’t want it serviced, then that is their prerogative.
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Wot He Said (DumfriesDik) Not my car, not my problem. Also, not anything I can do about it, so, Meh.
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Motability never have serviced my cars at the end of the lease. It’s just to save money.
I didn’t book the service due to it being the end of lease, it was due it’s service (message on dashboard).
Is that because you’ve already had the lease done earlier? I.e. you didn’t collect your new vehicle exactly 3yrs later, such as you were awaiting delivery for your new vehicle.
I’m on my 5th Motability car and always have had the year 3 service
For those giving it the ‘not my car, not my problem’ here’s a thought that makes it your problem. In saving a few pounds on a 3rd year service, they’re probably losing more in trying to auction a car needing that very service and potentially more if the 3 year service ensures the continuance of warranty. If you’ve an EV, losing the High Voltage warranty can be crippling to the price of the vehicle. Who do you think pays for that extra loss? Motability?
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
Warranties should remain intact, if the car is serviced by any VAT registered service centre and genuine parts are used.
This raises potential issues if you were to buy a nearly new car from the likes of Motorpoint and their service centre’s using after market parts, which can have serious implication further down the line, should one require warranty work or manufacturers goodwill gesture when out of warranty.
Motability are just penny pinching and will loose more in auction/resale value, than if they had paid for a 3 year sevice or got a service plan at the start. They own the car and their rules apply at the end of the day, but I won’t be loosing any sleep over it.
If and that is a big if you are allowed to extend your lease what happens then
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally say the wrong thing.
@Oscarmax Perhaps if you have already ordered your next vehicle and the lease is auto extended to cover the delivery period, then they won’t service it. But if they’ve allowed a set period extension, such as a further year or two, then they’ll allow dealership to service it.
@kezo KIA are apparently strict on services being done on time (as well as genuine parts). My car as gone past its service due date.@kezo KIA are apparently strict on services being done on time (as well as genuine parts). My car as gone past its service due date.
As Hyundai, so would expect the same for Kia, you are allowed one month or 1,000 miles after the due date. Most manufacturers use long life 2 year serviving, not sure with Hyundai/Kia, as it’s always been 12 months.
As long as Motability service the vehicle as per manufacturer standard using a VAT approved route then it won’t damage any residual warranty. I honestly think it’s a bad decision though . I’m driving my first Motability car but I’ve already pretty much decided that with the way AP’s are going, the tightness around end of lease purchase and the scrimping on servicing – that I won’t get another. I see long term problems for Motability which will be passed through to their customers either in the way of cost or through more stringent rules. I highly expect them to reduce their mileage allowance per year at some point to try and keep residual value in the cars. Those driving overseas…. That could be another area they scrimp on for insurance. The schemes attractiveness 18months after taking out my first lease is only going one way- down. Such a shame but I do appreciate that the scheme is still attractive to many and it offers a gateway to freedom that so many people otherwise couldn’t afford. Don’t get me wrong- this car I’m driving in now would have never been a possibility for me financially but in 18 months time I suspect we will see a massive amount of EV’s on the second hand market as motabilites decision to move predominantly to EV hits the second hand market. At that time, as it stands, I’m very much open to an affordable dealer provided second hand low mileage EV with a warranty from a dealer and flexibility to know the car is being driven on either more flexible PCP terms or bought outright.
for now, I’m a customer of what is still a fairly good scheme but I continue to watch if they will be cutting more from the deal to make it financially more appealing to them.
2024 Skoda Enyaq estate- 85x Sportline plus in Race Blue. Extras: Supernova 21 inch wheels, Maxx Pack, Transport Pack, Heat Pump and Pano Sunroof.
Ordered 31/10/23, Delivery 27/3/24If they do cut the mileage it may be 10,000 per year, I would expect them to refuse the fitting of towbars or insist on removing at the end of the lease.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally say the wrong thing.
It all depends on the service interval of the vehicle. My first service is at 2 years.
On petrol cars its usually one year or X-miles whatever the manufacturers recomendation.
But 1st service is usually after 1 year, so on. 3 year lease its usually 2 services.
It’s always surprised me how Motability don’t seem to care about residual values. They bin cars off in auctions at rock bottom prices, yet won’t sell them to customers at a much higher price. Also, cars returned early aren’t offered to existing or new customers (so that they can get a car immediately) but, again, are binned off in auctions at rock bottom prices.
We had a run of Volkswagens through Motability and VW have two service frequency schedules – one that a sensible owner who wants to preserve as much residual value as possible and keep their car in tip top condition would use, and another less frequent schedule for the penny pinchers. Motability use the latter!
It’s naive of people to think that it’s Motability’s loss, not ours, as these policies ultimately contribute significantly to the high APs, as depreciation is always by far the biggest cost of car ownership.
From a business point if view the current model for disposing if vehicles is the most cost effective.
Motability saves a ton of cash by just getting the cars picked up by the Auction house transporter, and sold through auction. No doubt they will have a oarkers book and have a reserve set for the vehicles.
Compare that to having to have a staffed department to organise pick up, storage, valeting and then try and sell them like joe bloggs garage. Its not cost effective.
They want to save cash by minimising servicing and tyres. Thats why it takes a couple of hours before work is approved. My last car, the servicing was videoed for Motability, probably because it needed a suspension arm.
Motability just want the 3 year old vehicles passed on.
Don’t really see the problem most ex motability cars are bought by dealers they can do the service and I’m sure the warranty will be fine ultimately. Said dealers can either swallow it or pass the cost on.
The cars go at auction I bet this will have zero impact on residuals as demand will still be high
The cars go at auction I bet this will have zero impact on residuals as demand will still be high
The very fact that cars are disposed of at auction means that the residuals are considerably less than they could be!
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