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Original poster

Do I take the car or not?

30 replies

Purplepixiestardust · 23/06/2021 14:20

My ex Mil who gets high rate dla, has kindly offered to get a disability car as I am in desperate need of a new one and I pay her the monthly fee for the car, which in theory is less than what I would be paying for tax, insurance and breakdown cover.

However number one im not even sure if it's legal, number two I don't think I really want to have to deal with her and likely her demands if I were to get it.

I need a car for work purposes and for school drop offs and really can't afford to buy a new one and with this I'd be able to get a top of the range one for 3 years so could give me the chance to save up.

OP posts:
whatisthisinhere · 23/06/2021 14:21

No

Oldraver · 23/06/2021 14:21

I think it's against all the rules, though I know people who do it

Do you think your MIL would really give up her DLA for nothing ?

Sirzy · 23/06/2021 14:22

The car is used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person. This does not mean that the disabled person needs to be in the car for every journey. In practice, this means other named drivers in the household can use the car for shopping and other routine activities, as long as the disabled customer will benefit.
www.motability.co.uk/about/how-the-scheme-works/how-your-vehicle-can-be-used/ Pretty clear it’s not allowed

IggyAce · 23/06/2021 14:22

No I wouldn’t, I don’t think it’s legal and you would be on call to take her wherever she wanted. I think the car should only be used for purposes that assist the claimant.

Yellowcrockpot · 23/06/2021 14:25

I had this option put forward to me. More than once (family)
Each time I say no, as the things they they could could ask of me would no longer be a choice.

If you can, I wouldnt do it for this reason alone.

You will forever be answerable to them.

Sirzy · 23/06/2021 14:26

And of course the other issue is when your mother in law dies (hopefully not for a long time obviously) the car wokld need to be returned

viques · 23/06/2021 14:31

“I don’t think I want to deal with her and her demands”

Well here’s the thing, I pay tax and while I fully support the mobility scheme, it damn well isn’t for you to get a cheap car and then slag off the disabled person whose disability you are exploiting at my expense.

So deal with that.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 23/06/2021 14:34

Mil's taxi service? Never in a million years..

Original poster
Purplepixiestardust · 23/06/2021 15:04

@viques I also pay tax, so please do try to untangle your knickers as they seem to be in a twist!
I am also not exploiting her, she came to me with the offer not the other way around. I already do favours for her such as shopping and taking her to the hospital on the odd occasion if she needs it, so nothing much will really change in that aspect.
However as I have the car through her I would likely be needed to do more than what I do already.

She doesn't have a driver's licence, so if I'm not available she uses a taxi service.

OP posts:
FrancesFlute · 23/06/2021 15:08

I wouldn't and your MIL is being unfair putting you in that position.
I think it's playing the system and very ad hoc hospital appointments/shopping is not what the system is for.
Plenty of people struggle to afford to buy and run cars - but in the nicest way, that's your problem to deal with.

Finfintytint · 23/06/2021 15:11

How does travelling to your work and school drop offs benefit your MIL?

Sirzy · 23/06/2021 15:16

Given the car would be hers for use for her only then you would risk being uninsured if used for school runs or work. I doubt it would be insured if kept at your house either as it should be at her home

Original poster
Purplepixiestardust · 23/06/2021 15:17

Well it doesn't Hmm bit as I said i already do her shopping for her give her lifts and do other bits and pieces.
However I can and do say no sometimes as I'm busy or just don't want to, but feel I wouldn't be able to if I had the car.

OP posts:
Toolateplanting · 23/06/2021 15:18

A / yes it’s illegal and you could both risk a fraud conviction if anyone reported you
B/ you will absolutely one hundred percent become her taxi service everywhere.

Finfintytint · 23/06/2021 15:19

@Sirzy

Given the car would be hers for use for her only then you would risk being uninsured if used for school runs or work. I doubt it would be insured if kept at your house either as it should be at her home
The link above states that a tracker may be fitted if the driver lives at a different address, so OP would soon be found out.
viques · 23/06/2021 15:24

[quote Purplepixiestardust]@viques I also pay tax, so please do try to untangle your knickers as they seem to be in a twist!
I am also not exploiting her, she came to me with the offer not the other way around. I already do favours for her such as shopping and taking her to the hospital on the odd occasion if she needs it, so nothing much will really change in that aspect.
However as I have the car through her I would likely be needed to do more than what I do already.

She doesn't have a driver's licence, so if I'm not available she uses a taxi service.[/quote]
Knickers fine thanks, I was just commenting on how when your Mil is offering you a cheap way out of your no car dilemma at the taxpayers expense you couldn’t resist the nasty little “ dealing with her and her demands” dig.

Original poster
Purplepixiestardust · 23/06/2021 15:32

@viques hahaha! It wasn't a "dig" If you knew my mother-in-law, you wouldn't be saying that. I don't particularly want to be at anyones back and call.

OP posts:
CharlotteRose90 · 23/06/2021 15:34

As far as I know it’s not illegal. Morally it’s wrong but I would do it.

Sirzy · 23/06/2021 15:34

Then don’t break the law and take a car from her. Simple!

belimoo · 23/06/2021 15:39

Surely this is clearly benefit fraud?

Would you claim unemployment benefits and work as well?

Hoppinggreen · 23/06/2021 15:43

You can’t
My Mum has a car on the scheme and it can only be used by her or for her benefit. Her DH won’t even use it to go anywhere unless she’s with him even if technically she is benefiting (eg shopping)
She was going to add me onto the insurance but when we looked into it the restrictions mean I could never use it

im2sad · 23/06/2021 15:45

Firstly I wouldn't do it for moral reasons. Secondly you will become her taxi, instead of phoning her usual taxi she will phone you.

Gizmosnana · 23/06/2021 15:49

Surely for her to get the car she might just might need a DRIVING LICENSE.

Sirzy · 23/06/2021 15:55

@Gizmosnana

Surely for her to get the car she might just might need a DRIVING LICENSE.
No, her driving it isn’t a condition - some people who are entitled to a mobility car can’t drive for medical reasons - but as has been pointed out to the OP it can only be used for things that benefit her MIL so it couldn’t be used to drive yourself to work or take the kids to school
Hoppinggreen · 23/06/2021 15:56

Funnily enough no the MIL doesn’t actually need a driving licence to get a mobility car. Plenty of people with one don’t drive.
But it’s still illegal to do what OP is suggesting

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