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What to do if you lose your motability car
CockneyRebel
Member Posts: 5,258 Disability Gamechanger
With so many people losing their enhanced mobility award and therefore their car and independance, What practical advice can you give to and what things need to be considered by someone thinking of buying a car ?
To many of us our independance is so important and the sudden lose of our car can seem like a disastar. In this situation it can be tempting to jump in feet first without looking at the many options and pitfalls of car ownership.
For example
New or second hand
Cash or lease/HP
Dealer or private
Posh or reliable banger
Automatic or manual
Do you need adaptations
What about
Insurance
Servicing and repair
MOT tests
Breakdown cover
If you have any thoughts please feel free to share
CR
To many of us our independance is so important and the sudden lose of our car can seem like a disastar. In this situation it can be tempting to jump in feet first without looking at the many options and pitfalls of car ownership.
For example
New or second hand
Cash or lease/HP
Dealer or private
Posh or reliable banger
Automatic or manual
Do you need adaptations
What about
Insurance
Servicing and repair
MOT tests
Breakdown cover
If you have any thoughts please feel free to share
CR
Be all you can be, make every day count. Namaste
Replies
that way should they decide later down the line they are taking it back there’s no stress.
jusr a thought
What sort of things do people need to know for an informed decision, If you have never had to buy your own car how do you know where to start and what questions to ask ?
CR
I am sure this list is not complete so any suggestions are welcome but some of the thoughts I have
How important is having a car ?
How much mileage do you do each year ?
Can you afford to buy a car or get finance/ lease one ?
Do you need a new stylish model or would a reliable old banger be acceptable ?
Do you buy private or from a dealer ?
When you own a car there are running costs
Top of the list is insurance and this can determine to drive or not to drive
The make and model can affect road fund licence if applicable
The age of a vehicle can mean the need for an MOT
Maintainance and servicing need to be carried out
A wise investment is breakdown cover, what type and with who ?
RMS Motability should give you a letter for your insurance no claims bonus if applicable
Determine your budget if you decide to buy
The make and model is an important choice, depending on your needs.
What you would like may not achievable so be prepared to compromise.
Do you need an automatic vehicle ?
The first and most important thing is to determine insurance cost.
It is no use buying a nice car and not being able to insure it
Use the comparison sites to search for Insurance costs of various options.
This is important as it will determine what you can afford
If your annual mileage is low then this can play a big part in your premium
For most mature drivers, full comp insurance is usually the cheapest option
When it is time to renew your policy , always do a new comparison check for the best rate
A good place to see many different vehicle options is e-bay
Take your time and research before you buy
If you are buying an older car, it will need an annual MOT.
Look for one with a long MOT. But be aware that this is not a guarantee of road worthiness
Take someone with you that has some mechanical knowledge if possible.
Look for low mileage. The average annual mileage is 15000 per year. Again this is no guarantee of condition.
Do you have a local, independant mechanic ?
If you can find a good independant this will save you money on servicing and repairs, treat them well.
Breakdown cover is not all the same.
There are a number of companies that offer various levels of cover.
Decide what is important to you
Do you need home start ?
Road side repair ?
Relay cover to get you home ?
Many companies only cover cars to a certain age
There is one company that covers the driver not the car. So if you subscribe to this one you are covered in any car you are traveling even if it is not yours.
Annual renewal is often more expensive than taking out a new cover policy.
CR
i do however have to use of a friends car when I need it.
Or get a lift from someone.
I cant use public transport so I usually walk everywhere, not that I go far.
i suppose it’s like a person who’s not on mobility, they need to research insurance, Road tax and the cost of the vehicle before buying it.
and I’d also think about long term, could I afford this if my income was reduced!
The member that posted I think was 51 years old, and quoted about £1100 insurance for a 1.4 ltr fiat
To get an Idea of insurance have a look on Ebay at cars that interest you, then just enter the details into one or more of the comparison sites
To give you an idea
On a personal note, my take on motoring, not wishing to rub anyones nose in it
I have never paid more than £500 for a car, If I need to change it after a year it is not a disaster.
My current jalopy I paid £410 for. It is an automatic estate car, reg 2006
It went through its first year MOT with no advisories
Full comp insurance with 9 years no claims bonus £350
My previous car I still have. A 2000 convertable automatic, on limited mileage insurance @£150 pa
Has passed last 4 MOT's with no advisories
My wife has her own car, a 2000 automatic, 39000 miles on the clock, bought for £460 with full MOT. Ful comp insurance £190 limited mileage 5000 per annum
If you want to you can PM me your details( not address just area ) and your requirements and Let me look at it
CR
then click new message
CR
Wilko, that is such a good price, not sure why I am being hit so hard. Do you have many years no claims, as I did graze a Mercs in 2016. My car never had to go in and I received the £250.00 for the car being in good condition when I returned it November. . The Mercs was an old one and the driver only purchased it recently, only a few scratches but he wanted it seen to.
If I keep to 1400 and below , how much would car tax be?
For cars registered before 1 March 2001 the rate of vehicle tax depends on its engine size.
The rate for cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 depends on CO2 emissions and fuel type. They’ll be taxed using the old system if this information isn’t available.
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-vehicle-tax-rates