Motability or PCP

MyHappy256

When I got my new car on Motability I was thrilled, fully electric and given my problem with not being able to handle toxins even fumes, an electric car was well suited to me, doing my bit for the environment and all, unfortunately the car is no longer suitable for me, due to a change in circumstances and it not being able to fit my wheelchair easily.

Motability have agreed for me to change my car either to another Motability car or a new or second hand car, even after it has only been one year, but in getting a different car I am forced to consider whether it is better to go with Motability or with a PCP car.

My next door neighbour has a PCP car and like me he rarely uses it, at the end of his PCP deal, he will have the option of paying off the final balance or not, if not then he will have paid less than it would cost for him to have a Motability car, and if he decides to pay the balance, he will then have a car he can use for as long as it lasts without having to pay his Mobility portion of PIP to Motability.

Any modifications or adjustments for his condition will not be lost because the lease ended with Motability, unless ofc, he does not own the car.

I have recently been looking at smaller cars on Motability, but come to the realisation that a smaller car is cheaper on PCP, so if I was going to get say a Hyundai Ioniq 6 which costs £52,000 then getting it on Motability would be best for me, because I can't afford that, even on PCP.

But if I get a smaller car that is either used and cheap or new and on 0% APR over two years, then as long as it costs less than a Motability car I would be much better off, once a car is paid off, instead of having to pay Motability every month you are then only responsible for MOT, Car tax, Insurance, Breakdown cover, Servicing/Repairs and Tyres.

Car tax is free with enhanced PIP, Insurance is about £500 apparently, Breakdown is included in insurance, MOT is free with a new car and Tyre repair costs what per tyre, servicing is free for first 3 years on a new car and then a whopping £430 p.a. for Toyota?

What do you guy think, did you go with PCP or used or Motability?

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

This will vary depending on each car and each persons needs. I've owned 30 odd used cars, mostly between 6-12 years old. And hoped to use the Motability scheme for a brand new one when applying for PIP. Sadly I wasn't entitled to Enhanced Mobility so couldn't use it. I did get backpay for the Daily Living side, and used that to finance a brand new car for 2 years…not the one I wanted, found there were very few on 0% finance, and even with that it would have been cheaper on the Motability scheme. Unfortunately the car was not suitable, and I was not given any options for changing it by the finance company. Ultimately I lost the ability to drive altogether and ended up paying for a car I couldn't use.

So personally I would say that if you can use the Motability scheme, then that's probably still the cheapest and easiest option for a brand new car, as well as having the option to change it if needed.

If you're buying much older used cars then they are likely to be cheaper, but less convenient needing more repairs and potentially leaving you stranded with a breakdown etc.