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There seems to be no logic to the prices. Trying to second guess is a fool’s game, if you see a car you like and can afford, order it, don’t risk waiting for the next quarter price list. As for the number of cars available, I think it is a shame the numbers have gone down, always good to have a choice.
True as the EX30 I ordered in late Oct increased by 2k on the 1st of Jan to £3999 from £1999
EX30 SMER Ultra
It is indeed true that it’s impossible to guess what will happen but, again, it’s not random. Sudden big changes will be due to manufacturers introducing or removing discounts. The car that I ordered last summer, which was already a competitive AP compared to its peers, dropped £1,600 the month after we took delivery 😭
dropped £1,600 the month after we took delivery 😭
OUCH! You feel mugged when it happens eh?
Skoda Enyaq Race Blue
dropped £1,600 the month after we took delivery 😭
OUCH! You feel mugged when it happens eh?
You sure do but, as you said earlier, you just have to make a decision at the time as to whether you’re happy to pay it. Given that APs have been on an upward trajectory for a few years now, that one caught a few of us out, especially as the AP had already dropped by around £600 a few months before. Some you win and some you lose!
Still driving my 70 plate Volvo, can’t make up my mind what car to get, tbh can’t justify the Ap for anything of interest..
We have our own formula (a) How much do you like it and want it, (b) How much are you willing to pay, (c) Can I afford it (d) And the biggy what does the wife say (it overrules all of the above).
agree with this. 3 and a bit years ago we decided only to go for a car with zero AP. This time around I didn’t want to spend more than £1500 and ended up spending little more with an 360 camera extra but worth it to make driving easier.
There are still choice for all budgets in my opinion even with the upward trajectory for APs (and how much car prices have risen in the last 10 years). Shame however the Motability choice is limited, given how some manufacturers are struggling…I think available cars on scheme is driven by importers/manufacturers decisions. Apparently Motability negotiates quite aggressively to get huge discounts. Some companies like Tesla, Polestar and Genesis have online pricing model hence will not budge. I expect more (EV) deals towards end of the year when ZEV mandate starts to bite (Ford, VAG, Toyota?)
When we got our first Motability car 12 years ago the dealer gave us the original invoice by mistake. Retail price of the car was about 27k including VAT and Motability paid 16k only after VAT and discounts deducted.
I’ve managed to drag the 3 years to 5 years as I haven’t seen a car I like.
that’s due up soon
can I look at my next choice similarly and drag the 3 years to 5 if I can’t find the right car in the future ? Or have they done something to stop that ?
the deposit over 5 years reduces the cost and justifies it in my eyes
I’ve managed to drag the 3 years to 5 years as I haven’t seen a car I like. that’s due up soon can I look at my next choice similarly and drag the 3 years to 5 if I can’t find the right car in the future ? Or have they done something to stop that ? the deposit over 5 years reduces the cost and justifies it in my eyes
Extension to lease has been changed. You are likely to get 6 month, you need to qualify on rather strict criteria to get the full 2 years. That said it could all change in 3 years time. I got the car I did on the basis I could have it for 5 years (about a grand a year) I’m going to be rather unimpressed when I’m told I can’t keep it for the planned 2 year extension.
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
@indecisiveone Motability were telling customers last year that the policy regarding lease extensions had changed. Anyone can extend for 3 months, but 2 year extensions would only be allowed if the car was very low mileage (under 20,000 miles after 3 years) or had adaptations.
However, some people were finding that they could still extend to 5 years online (without talking to anyone at Motability) and, in my case, having had the extension refused, I took them to task over the fact that the lease we took out 3 years earlier gave it as an option, and they couldn’t change the terms of the lease mid term without consultation and giving me the option to terminate the lease without penalty. They backed down at that point (as it happened we didn’t need the extension, but there was a principle at stake)!
Those of us who have renewed in recent months have noticed that the option to extend to 5 years remains in the lease wording so, in all honesty, it’s anybody’s guess!
My advice, if you are dead set on a 5 year lease, is to get it in writing first that they will allow it (email or screenshots of a web chat will do). That way, if they try to enforce the revised policy before your 3 years is up, you can point to this and I’m sure that they will honour it.
Spot on Mate !! I think its a fantastic !! if you can’t afford the higher AP cars don’t get one, there’s plenty out there either zero or very low !! I agree the AP’s have spiked for the prestige models but most of us just appreciate a car with zero overheads or worries CAZ/CC/ULEZ/Tunnel Charges ! The ice blue invacar would probably be worth a few quid now 😂
The thing that irks me about Motability prices is that no other lease should come close to Motability prices when you consider that they are the largest leasing company in Europe (will get the best discounts), purchase price is automatically 20% less due to zero tax and they are the only leasing company protected from inflation (except for any cars that don’t cost our whole Mobility allowance).
If you’re a low mileage and low insurance risk, there are often better deals if you privately lease. Obviously not everyone can lease due to credit checks. Then there is the pros and cons of private leasing if you lose your PIP entitlement. Great that the car isn’t taken away like with Motability, but very bad if you can’t keep up with repayments.
I also like that having Motability in your corner helps when things go wrong with your car.
The thing that irks me about Motability prices is that no other lease should come close to Motability prices when you consider that they are the largest leasing company in Europe (will get the best discounts), purchase price is automatically 20% less due to zero tax and they are the only leasing company protected from inflation (except for any cars that don’t cost our whole Mobility allowance). If you’re a low mileage and low insurance risk, there are often better deals if you privately lease. Obviously not everyone can lease due to credit checks. Then there is the pros and cons of private leasing if you lose your PIP entitlement. Great that the car isn’t taken away like with Motability, but very bad if you can’t keep up with repayments. I also like that having Motability in your corner helps when things go wrong with your car.
There aren’t many advertised 20,000 mile leases. Whilst Motability are the biggest lease company in the country, they operate very differently. Usually, there’s a list of pre-purchased cars or select models that can be purchased through the lease company. Motability just allow the dealerships do their thing. Yes, there’s are limits in which cars are available but you are required to attend the dealership and try the car before placing your order. You then return to the same dealership to collect your car in person. Because of that difference orders aren’t place as a guaranteed quantity (for example 100 Peugeot e3008 GT Lines in various colours) but prices are negotiated on the probability that ‘x’ customers are likely to order at that AP.
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 agree, Mark that Motability Operations don’t work exactly the same as other leasing companies. But, I’ve just had a look for something similar to my current car (current is Sportage, similar is X-Trail 1.5 E-Power 204 N-Connecta) and for my low mileage, it works out over £1k less per year to go private.
I would need to insure it for approx £450/yr, roadside assistance is probably included, otherwise £30/yr, and service it £350?/yr. I’d be about £200/yr better off, BUT I’d still choose Motability because although I have excellent credit score, that doesn’t usually matter when income from benefits is usually ignored.
I’m not saying Motability isn’t worth it, but just find some of the prices, considering my points above (mostly zero tax) imo should mean that other leasing companies shouldn’t be able to offer me a better price.
The other thing to bear in mind is that there isn’t a law that says that you have to get a brand new car! The overwhelming majority of private motorists don’t. After all, a ‘new’ Motability car is only brand new for the first few months! For those who can’t buy outright, most dealers can do PCPs on used cars as well.
The 20,000 mileage limit with Motability gets raised a lot when people discuss other options but, in reality, what percentage of Motability customers do 20,000 miles a year? An absolutely tiny proportion I’d suggest. If you do, then it’s Motability every time (assuming you can get a car that you!re happy with). However, if you do a lot less mileage, as the overwhelming majority do, then it’s an irrelevant comparison.
If you want an EV I’d stick with Motability every time. If you absolutely insist on a brand new car then, as long as you can source a car that you’d be happy with through the scheme, I’d also stick with Motability. If, however, you’d be happy with a car that’s just a few years old, you can run a far better car privately than you can for the same outlay (or less) with Motability. For many though, the ‘peace of mind’ aspect of Motability is worth the substantial outlay.
Where are people finding these lease deals that are cheaper than motability? I’ve looked at several manufacturers and can’t make the figures come close to what motability charge, so where are people going?
@trb10 Lease Loco is a good comparison for leases. It handily gives a score for each deal which shows if the deal is good value (in their opinion).
Some of the best deals are in stock deals and there may only be 1 car available at that price. This could be a cancelled order, or needing to hit sales targets at end of month.
Most of the deals are listed as 2 year, 6,000 miles/year. But you can update the price by choosing different contract length, up front payment (obviously changing the upfront payment affects the monthly payment), mileage required.
Vehicle Tax is included in the price. The one thing I don’t know and hopefully someone on this forum can answer is – Considering Vehicle Tax is included, can we use our Disability Vehicle Tax exemption on lease cars and in turn, reduce the quoted prices. I can’t see why not and this could make the prices even more appealing.
For those who wish to consider buying a car, rather than leasing, I find that Drivethedeal is very useful. Their prices are U.K. main dealer factory ordered cars to your exact spec (not in stock cars). Discounts can be as high as 25% (including ICE cars and premium brands) although most are in the 10-15% range. Some of the prices will include manufacturer incentives, such as PCP offers, but you can pay those off with no penalty after a month (as I have done a few times). I have used their prices to get local main dealers to match them (or come very close).
Of course, if you want the very best deals, buy a car that’s a few years old, where someone else has taken the depreciation hit.
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