Lease A Motability Car Or Buy Used?

[barry1010]

My friend needs advise.  Her car is starting to cost her more than it's worth so she needs a change.

Her husband is entitled to a Motability car, using his DLA to pay for it.

In the long term leasing a better deal than buying a two to three year old car outright? They are not ones for buying a new car every few years. 

This will be their only car.

I do know how Motability works; I don't know what is the best for their situation. Their current car is 12 years old.

[douglas9401]

Motability, worry free motoring.

[albaqwerty]

Motability. I'd have thought much less hassle and potential expense.

[barry1010]

It costs £3939 a year and of course is ongoing.

[albaqwerty]

Is that the motability cost?

Forgive me, have very limited knowledge of this.

What costs are they having currently vs motability?

[barry1010]

Annual service,MOT, insurance 

[barry1010]

They buy their cars outright, no finance

[barry1010]

Insurance £160, service & MOT around £200 and of course new tyres etc as and when.

£36 breakdown cover

[barry1010]

No road tax

[bhg481]

Leasing is almost certain to cost more because the people leasing it to you will, on average, make money out of it. If you et a good car you'll lose a bit of money; if you happen to get a rogue you'll end up quids in. Peace of mind ie, knowing you will never face a big bill if you lease, is worth a lot of money to some people. Your choice.

[albaqwerty]

I think I would still go the motability route. (Gawd, am in 2 minds!)

Would they be going for a 2nd hand car to replace the chuggabug? Spending 6k, then a few hundred for insurance, breakdown cover, etc. might be more financially viable.

Dreadful thought, wouldn't she lose motability car if he left this mortal coil before her?

[barry1010]

Yes, if they buy a car it will be two to three years old and they will pay the deposit on credit card and the balance in cash (s.75 protection in case it's a lemon)

[barry1010]

Yes, she would lose the car and have to buy one .  If she dies first he will have to surrender it as he can no longer drive

[ToraToraTora]

first thing is to determine if they actually need a jam jar. Most of these would be better off getting a cab when needed.

[barry1010]

They drive around 8k a year

[chelle7272]

My sister uses motablity and would recommend it for peace of mind.

The insurance covers up to 3 people so she can add friends or carers in case she is not well enough to drive herself. 

One of her vehicles was broken into and badly damaged and they had a replacement vehicle the next day. 

I'm interested in how they got the cost figure of £3939 though, have they already chosen a car? 

[barry1010]

No, they have calculated it on using the full care component. They could get a smaller or cheaper car for slightly less but they need a larger car

[barry1010]

Full mobility component, sorry