[ispartacus]

Hi, I am thinking of applying for my first Motability car. I really like the look of a Seat Ateca. I realise that there are no test drives available at the moment, do you think it would be mad to just go ahead and order one without a test drive? I don’t really want to hang about waiting until test drives are allowed because there will probably be a waiting time for the vehicle after ordering and the award was until January 2024. I have a car that I would like to part ex against the new one, would they take the AP out of the value they give me for mine and give me the change?

Thanks

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[Anonymous]

ispartacus wrote:

Hi, I am thinking of applying for my first Motability car. I really like the look of a Seat Ateca. I realise that there are no test drives available at the moment, do you think it would be mad to just go ahead and order one without a test drive? I don’t really want to hang about waiting until test drives are allowed because there will probably be a waiting time for the vehicle after ordering and the award was until January 2024. I have a car that I would like to part ex against the new one, would they take the AP out of the value they give me for mine and give me the change? Thanks

I cannot advise on the Ateca itself but your situation is similar to mine. I am in the process of changing car (early termination of current Motability lease). I have ordered a Kuga from stock and it should be with the dealer within 4 weeks of order – factory order 12 weeks plus. I have it in writing that once the showroom is open to the public I will be able to get a test drive in a similar Kuga and if I don’t like it then I can cancel no problem without penalty. Might be worth chasing up dealers for any stock Atecas if they suit you.

As far as the trade in is concerned, in my case with my original order, the dealer offered me a paltry sum for my trade in – the usual bottom book trade price. I refused and sold it privately within days for a lot more than they offered.

[ispartacus]

Thanks comfortablynumb, the KUGA was my second choice. That’s a great plan to try and get the option to cancel after a test drive. Did you just contact a few dealers or just 1? Did you do the deal over the phone or emails?

Sorry about all the questions. ?

[mitch]

when i first joined the scheme thats what i did, as comfortablynumb says they will probably be low on the totum as far as an offer on your pex is concerned. thats a decision only you can make, in my case it wasnt worth a lot anyway and webuyanycar etc or a private sale wouldnt have got me much more so it was worth the conveniance of tipping up on the day and swapping. they gave me a cheque there and then for the difference.

also if you dont need a factory order you may find one in stock it may be worth asking, back in the day my first motability car was a citroen and when i went through the order the girl found one on a ferry on its way over but not the colour i originally wanted but she could give me a choice of 3 so a compromise on colour saved 10 weeks wait. i picked it up 10 days later.

[Anonymous]

I just used the same dealer as I had for my 1st car and it was the same person I dealt with as before, which was good, as she is very helpful.

There was a mixture of phone calls and emails. I asked her to check what stock of Kugas they had and within a couple of days I had signed up for an ST Line X in Solar Silver, which was sitting at Liverpool docks ready for shipping to N Ireland. Just had to email copies of my driver’s licence and PIP award. As you are a 1st time customer I’m not sure what the procedure is now during lockdown but will be explained on the Motability site.

I made sure that all important conversations were by email to give me a written record to refer to should things go pear shaped.

[rox]

It could be a bit risky not having a test drive but often the test drive is not in the same config as you will order anyway.

Had quite a few cars now since i joined the scheme and I actually sold my old car privately, for more than the dealer and wbac offered. But i guess it’s upto you and what it is and what it’s worth. (good thing is you actually have a car now and most of us are not driving much at all during lockdown) But we do not know how long this will last and as it’s your 1st car you maybe able to get a stock car quicker as most of us already on the scheme have to and can only order 3 months before we due to exchange. so if you not to fussed on colour say they can sometimes find one and in 7 days or so you could be in it.. Butthat also depends where your located.

What you need to rememeber is in most cases you need to keep the car for 3 years and you can change it but will be liable for a fee unless you have good reason like needing an auto because of your condition getting worse and you need to agree and sign something that says the car is suitable for your needs when ordering.

so it’s not something i’d do get a car blind without checking out the seats etc and how it handles. As one could be in a car you h8 for 3 years.. Everytime i have driven some on my shortlists i knew on the test drive i did not like thrm at all.. Then i drove another and was like this is the one..

Only you truely know though.

[ispartacus]

Thanks guys, I would be happy with any colour but I would like a fitted towbar so that will probably restrict me to a factory one. I don’t think they could fit one in the dealership but then what do I know? ?

[Author]

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