Mobility News. July – August 2020

COVID-19 update: When should I
order my next car?
We’ve had lots of questions
from customers who have had
their leases extended during
lockdown, or who are now
approaching the end of their
lease, about when they can
place an order for their next
car. We’ve tried to answer
some of your questions here.
I had my lease extended
during lockdown can I place
an order now?
The short answer to this
is yes, you can place an
application now if you wish.
Of course we know there
may be some reasons why
you can’t, or don’t want to
order a new car just yet. Your
dealer may still be closed,
you may be shielding and
therefore unable to visit a
dealership or you may just
want to stay in your car until
the end of the six-month
extension. Whatever your
reason, if you’re not quite
ready to order your car now
you can stay in your car for
the full six-months. You don’t
have to call us to let us know.
When you are ready, just get
in touch with your dealer and
make an appointment to see
them.
I am approaching the end
of my lease, when should I
order my next car?
You will be able to place
an order for your next vehicle
when you are in the final three
months of your lease.
Don’t worry if you’re not
ready or able to place another
order, we will automatically
lease extend your vehicle
for six-months if you haven’t
placed an order when your
lease is due to end. You do not
need to contact us to let us
know as we will automatically
apply this extension if you
don’t place an application.
I need to apply for a grant,
before I can order my next
vehicle, what should I do?
Unfortunately due to the
COVID-19 situation, the
Grants team at Motability (the
Charity) are currently unable
to process new applications
for financial help. As and
when this situation changes
they will publish information
on their website motability.
org.uk/grants.
If you’re waiting for a
decision on a pending grant
or need to apply for financial
assistance and therefore not
able to place an application
we will automatically extend
your current lease for six
months, you do not need to
contact us to let us know.
I’m ready to order my next
car, what do I do next?
If you’re still undecided
on the car you want to
order you can browse the
vehicles currently available
on the Scheme by using
our car search tool. Once
you’ve narrowed down your
choice you will then need to
contact your local dealer to
make an appointment. We
would always recommend
making an appointment
to visit a dealership so the
Motability Scheme specialist
can dedicate enough time
to helping you choose the
right car. But it’s particularly
important now with social
distancing measures in
place. When you make the
appointment, the dealer will
be able to let you know how
COVID-19 is affecting their
services. You can find out
more about this in our ‘Social
distancing and dealership
visits‘ article.
I do not want to place a
renewal application at the
end of my lease, how do I
hand my car back?
Please contact your
dealership to find out whether
they are open and make an
appointment to return the
vehicle. If you have not yet
reached the original lease end
date you will not be able to
return your car early, however
if you are now in your sixmonth
extension you will be
able to make arrangements
with your dealer now. If
your dealership is closed
please contact us on 0300
456 4566 so we can discuss
arrangements.
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