Motability cars - should they be UK made?

[Pandersmum]

Motability cars are currently in the news with suggestions VAT will be added. I realise they are a lifetime to some and a perk to others. They are a huge annual cost to the tax payer.

AIBU to think that all motability car choice should be limited to those manufactured in the UK? This would support British manufacturing worker jobs and increase UK business tax revenue whilst still providing cars for those who need them?

Absolutely and from a limited range sufficient to accommodate different disabilities, bought in bulk from a competitive tender.

No - the disabled driver should be able to choose a car from any country - why should they be limited in choice. Able bodied drivers aren’t restricted in their choice

Perk? That is a strange way to describe them. I would agree that they are a lifeline, yes.

Why should disabled people, who already face limited choice and opportunities have fewer options than non disabled people when choosing a car to lease? The level of PIP fraud is almost zero, and you need a higher level award to use the Motability scheme.

Why not go the whole hog? Create a nationalized car manufacturer to make them? Put "Great British Cars" on the side with a massive flag?

Honestly, I can't get worked up about the Motability scheme. People get this award when they are severely disabled. It will be keeping people in work and spending money in their communities. The car might be made abroad but presumably there are UK jobs selling them.

Also, I think that the choice of cars should not be limited, for disabled drivers.

So jaguar? What else?

They are if they can't afford them. The idea that everyone non-disabled has free choice is ludicrous.

No one forces anyone to have a motability car. If a limited, functional range isn't to the users liking they're perfectly free to decline the option and source their ideal car from elsewhere.

What are uk made cars?

It already happens.

Motability already have deals with each manufacturer. The dealerships receive a small handling fee for processing g and supplying the car. The discounts they get are massive due to the number they buy.
Motability are essentially just another fleet provider, that’s all.

Because they're being subsisided. Of course people who pay for their own car have more choice.

Mumsnet love to say there's no PIP fraud when there absolutely bloody is.

What is the list of cars currently fully manufactured in the UK OP?

Maybe those who qualify for motability would love choosing a Caterham or Aston Martin though, I guess. Or a Bentley. Or maybe an Ariel.

no, the user should be able to pick a car that is suited to their needs. Thats the whole point of motability.

The op will be quickly googling

Ok let’s explain motability payments

its Really very hard to obtain the motability part of PIP or UC. But, if you qualify you get an extra £77 a week. You can use this payment to go towards taxis, a second hand car, a new car whatever. Or you can use it to get a car through the Motability scheme.

Motability have loads of cars for lease, these often have the servicing and insurance built in to the monthly cost.
Now £308 a month doesn’t get you very much these days, so you’ll probably find if you need something of a decent size you’ll have to top it up yourself and maybe put an extra payment up front e.g £3000.

at the end of the term you have to hand the car back, it has to be in really good condition or they charge you. You need to keep the mileage to what’s agreed, or they charge you. That extra down payment you paid, you’ve lost it. That extra monthly payment you’ve made, you’ve lost it. Had the car adapted, you’ve lost that money too.

for many, the scheme is just too expensive so running a second hand car is better.

Most cars on notability have an advance payment. Depending on the car that can be £1000s. If people decide to top up to get a better car that is their choice.

If people are only able to use the notability element for their car then the selection is very limited.

Or we could just issue everyone with an inva car
I think that would make some posters happy 🤔

Exactly but the media always fail to put this in there. You dont get that advance payment back neither.

Yep we are mobility car number two for my son ,neither have required a deposit but there was a very limited choice, I'm not complaining as my son gets HRM under SMI so we just need a reliable car.

Loads of cars are UK made. Jaguar Land Rover (Solihull), Toyota (Derby), Mini (Oxford), etc etc. I think pp are confusing British heritage brands with actual manufacturing/assembly.
However I agree that it shouldn't be the main consideration. If people want to support British manufacturers then they should, erm, buy one themselves.

none of those will come in at £308 a month.

There is a whole spectrum of disabilities that require different types of car, so you need quite a wide range to facilitate that, and it wouldn't be helpful to limit choices. E.g. the needs of a wheelchair user are different to those of a blind person who has a Motability car so family or a carer can drive them and needs room for their guide dog in the boot.

I remember one poster saying that Motability cars should have a symbol on them so that people would know they were "free" cars.

Limiting the choice of cars won't save any money.

Motability makes a good contribution to the economy and Treasury. But some people can't see beyond their own spite and resentment.

No, they need to be able to chose what is most suitable from all the available options.

I’d love to know how much Motability boost the economy. From supply, servicing and parts, to end sale at auction and a second hand car on the forecourt.
They go a long long way in supporting the motor trade