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i know some are hardened to towing and others often always like the idea of a caravan, its an older report(jan 2019) but thought some might find it an interesting read to some.
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That interesting I have always asked permission from Motability prior to fitting a towbar, however, I have never informed their insurance company RSA, Motability never informed me to contact RSA
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
Just out of interest, if you leave the towbar on the car at the end of its lease, does it invalidate the good condition bonus, or could you still be eligible for it if the car is otherwise in good condition?
I got a towbar fitted on my BMW Gran Tourer in 2018 but only towed twice before having to give up caravanning for good as I couldn’t manage on my own and am now mostly in a wheelchair.
I took the towbar off my last car VW Tiguan at my expense before I handed it back. Annoyingly my return date was a week before they put the gcb up from £250 but I was still slightly in credit after paying for its removal.
Now wondering what to do come next year? I don’t want to go to the hassle and expense to take it off if I don’t have to. I always look after my cars but have scuffed one of my BMW’s alloy rim after catching a kerb. It was either that or getting hit by a lorry who had crossed the centre line around a bend. I guess I should get this repaired to not affect gcb qualification…?
On a separate note, I’m disappointed to see the GT disappearing off the list. It’s an awesome car. Lovely to drive and very comfortable. Rubbish to demist though in the winter due to its tiny windscreen vent. The seat height is better unlike the 3 series, which I’ve got no chance of getting in and out of as the seat height is practically on the floor. MPVs are quickly going out of fashion. I no longer need a diesel, so would prefer a hybrid or PHEV next time, or an economical petrol with a much cheaper ap. Guess it’ll have to be an SUV again. I just need a big boot 90cm deep minimum, privacy glass and an auto gearbox as I need hand controls and left foot accelerator. The boot size requirements rule out cars like the Ateca, Karoq, 3008, Grandland X etc. I like the spec of the new Kuga but have not had a good experience at Ford dealers in the past. I had Toyotas for many years and love the RAV4 but the ap is so high. I had a Prius up to 2009 but had to trade it in for a Verso MPV due to the low seat height. Estates are perfect size-wise but I need one with a comparable seat height to my GT. That’s the lowest I’ve comfortably managed. I don’t think they exist. As much as I prefer new technology, I’d have a Prius+ but I very much doubt they’ll still be around next summer. Decisions decisions!
PS I’m so happy to have found this forum. I never knew you could get discounts off APs before! On my last 3 Motability cars, they’ve only thrown in car mats for free! On my GT, I had to pay the full option price for privacy glass and auto-dimming rear-view mirror but got a bit of discount off the Guard-X protection. Do others go for Supaguard or Guard-X for protection, or is gcb qualification not so strict to need it?
Motability does not require you remove the towbar, I never have and still received my bonus, I have just changed my car the other day on the 18th and received my bonus.
Not to sure about the Kuga PHEV, the press say it is sluggish, but to be honest you need to check it out yourself. We have just changed our 2017 Ford Kuga for a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, this morning I tried the old Kuga rubber protective matt inside the Outlander, the Outlander swallowed the Kuga matt with load of ample space.
Have a look at the Outlander PHEV the AP is only £1699 at present it has a very large boot and interior and economical and easy to drive
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
Do others go for Supaguard or Guard-X for protection, or is gcb qualification not so strict to need it?
No need for any extra paint protection and in deed Motability don’t take lightly on any sales person that try to push such products onto their customers.
Thanks so much Oscarmax for the gcb confirmation. That’s great news. I most certainly won’t bother getting mine removed then!
Good to hear about the Outlander PHEV – it’s on my watchlist but I see it’s getting a radical overhaul late 2020/early 2021 so I’m keeping my fingers crossed it stays on the scheme and at a similar ap. I think the new Kuga boot might be fractionally bigger (I may be wrong) but unless I find a much better Ford dealer not too far away, I’d feel very reluctant to get one. There’s a great Mitsubishi dealership c45mins from me, where I used to live and near my parents, so I’ll pay them a visit when the new Outlander is out.
I’m hoping Motability will put on their shows again early next year as it’s my only way of test driving cars myself. I’m more anxious about my next change because I will need to switch to electronic hand controls as the push/pull free option is too uncomfortable on my hand. I won’t know what type will be best unless I get to see/try them? I ordered my GT purely on my dad test driving one with me as a passenger. I got to test an adapted one myself a few months later at the 2018 summer show. Luckily I found it ok but I had reservations about the push/pull. The adapter set mine as light as possible when I got my car later but it’s still not enough. It was my first time needing them as I’d previously got by with just the left foot accelerator. My left leg has since deteriorated further, making me even more reliant on hand controls. I’ve not been able to drive with my right leg for many years. My 3-month order time will be early June but I don’t really want to risk needing an extension on my lease as I need more suitable adaptations ASAP. I had to extend last time as my GT took 5 months to arrive. I was going for another Tiguan but the order time then was 9 months. I know COVID-19 has screwed up order times but from what I’ve read, they’re often longer than 3 months anyway. I saw a YouTube video the other day saying there’s a year‘s wait for a RAV4 (not Motability related)! Motability’s website states not all adaptations are suitable for all cars, so I don’t think I can order a car and specify the right adaptations afterwards. I really don’t know what to do?
I would have a look at the Kuga PHEV the ST line X come with a lot of driver aid which might feel of use, the Kuga being a very main stream high volume car more adaptation may be available.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
Will do Oscarmax, thanks.
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