[BigDave]

As I mentioned a few months back, having ordered a new Landrover Discovery, I will be shortly leaving the Motability scheme as my lease is due to end in a couple of months. I haven’t told Motability as yet as there is no requirement to at this very moment.

I was toying with the idea of buying my current Motability car as a run about, so telephoned Motability and requested a quote to buy it.

I was rather taken aback to be told that Motability no longer permit you to buy your vehicle at the end of the lease.

This seems to be borne out by their website:

 

https://www.motability.co.uk/contact/faqs/can-i-buy-the-car-at-the-end-of-the-lease

In fact all references to buying a vehicle direct from Motability at lease end seem to have been removed from their website.

I am not sure when this change of policy occurred, but it may have a bearing on some customers choice of scheme vehicle, if they were looking to ‘load it’ with options with a view to buying it direct from Motability at lease end.

Of course, one could try to ‘do a deal’ with the car dealer to whom the vehicle will be returned. However, they may want to ‘add in’ a healthy profit margin (knowing you particularly want that vehicle). Or possibly may want/not want the vehicle themselves, or Motability preferring it goes to the wider trade or auction. In short, a dealer/Motability has no obligation to sell it back to the ‘soon to be’ ex-Motability customer.

My view of this apparently change of policy is that Motability do not want customers buying their vehicles at lease end (and thus losing them) and are making it as difficult as possible, preferring to keep them captive on the scheme as a very profitable leasing customer.

In my case, they have ‘lost’ me anyway so I cannot really fathom it. Unless some ‘deal’ has been done with the trade/manufacturers to increase sales of new vehicles on the scheme and this policy change has been slipped in as part of it.

Whatever, it is something to be aware of if thinking about leaving the scheme and buying one’s vehicle.

Topic

[Ele]

Not sure I would want to buy my overpriced car at the end of lease even if I could

 

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Ele.

[Wise50]

Hi@Silverfox

I am in the same situation. Lease is due to end in August 2025. WAV still in good condition was surprised to find out there is no more option to purchase after lease expires as I was highly considering this , feels very unfair especially that the change was made in the middle of the lease and there was never any communication in regards to this change. I see you have escalated to FOS. Have you got outcome yet.

 

 

[wmcforum]

@wise50

The situation is slightly different for WAV customers, extensions are available and we are aware of customers who have remained in the same WAV for up to 10 years, particularly those who are eligible for grants.

[djenson]

Hi all. Surprised Nobody has mentioned that the auction they all go to is the various Wilsons Auctions around the country. An example can be seen here: https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/car/AuctionEvent?saleCode=W437&location=Newport

While it is TRADE ONLY there is a possibility that you could work with a dealer to get a car from there.

[kezo]

djenson wrote:

Hi all. Surprised Nobody has mentioned that the auction they all go to is the various Wilsons Auctions around the country. An example can be seen here: https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/car/AuctionEvent?saleCode=W437&location=Newport While it is TRADE ONLY there is a possibility that you could work with a dealer to get a car from there.

BCA & G3 are also big players.

[Wise50]

Thank you for this info, I have just checked with Wilsons Auctions but unfortunately they only sell Motability to trades and not private individuals. They told me that it is Motability rules.

[Jackdaw1966]

I handed  my 5 year old Rav4 back in December and just seen it advertised for  £26K  at another Toyota dealership,  that’s only a 30% depreciation over 5 years !  I’d  certainly not be buying my car after lease end even if it was still available.

[Ele]

Shoreham auctions is another ex mobility car trade only seller

One of many

This guys firm will bid/buy a chosen car for you from the auction and deliver it for a competitive fee

Or go along yourself and buy a car thats open to public buyers

Shoeham have a great reputation very detailed/photo descriptions competitive fees ( better than most) and will wash and fully charge all EVs sold

Or simply look at the link and see the price that cars are actually brought for

Example

 

 

 

[Author]

Replies