Wales On Sunday

Getting your next car

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AS you reach the end of your current lease agreement, you may be thinking of getting your next Motability car. You can choose from a wide range of more than 2,000 cars, from all of the top manufactur­ers. Our dealer network has expanded to nearly 5,000 dealership­s and we now have around 550 cars that you can drive away with no Advance Payment – with hundreds more with Advance Payment at less than £500.

Motability scheme leases generally run for three years from the date that you took delivery of your car (or five years for new wheelchair-accessible vehicles). This date will be shown on your lease agreement. Three months before the end of your lease agreement, we will send you a letter to remind you that it is time to choose a new car on the scheme. Three months before the end of your lease:

Consider adaptation­s if you think you need them

Find a dealer. Visit as many as you need to

Take a test drive to make sure the car you’re interested in is suitable for your needs

Make sure your name and address details are up to date with both the DVLA and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)or Veterans UK

Place your order with your dealer. Make sure you tell your dealer about anyone you wish to drive the car, including yourself. This is the case even if you’re keeping the same driver as on your current lease.

Remember that all named drivers should live within five miles of your address. If your disability-related needs can only be met by having drivers outside of this range, please call customer services on 0300 456 4566. Drivers aged under 25 (whether yourself or a named driver) can drive a Motability car, as long as it is in ABI Insurance Group 16 or lower and has brakehorse power rating of 115BHP or less. When ordering your new car, take these with you: 1. Your driving licence if you wish to drive 2. Certificat­e of entitlemen­t from either DWP or Veterans UK 3. Proof of address (eg. recent utility bill) 4. Named drivers’ driving licence and consent. Named drivers must give consent, either in person by going with you when you place your order or by filling out a Driver Consent Form.

As part of the ordering process, you and your drivers will need to sign a Statement of Responsibi­lities to confirm you understand and agree to abide by the Scheme guidelines

Don’t forget to tell your dealer if you have a personalis­ed number plate and wish to transfer it onto your new car. 3 Two months to go:

Your dealer should have already contacted you to arrange the MOT test for your current car (excluding customers in Northern Ireland and Isle of Man). If this has not happened, please contact your managing dealer as soon as possible to book the test

The MOT test checks the safety features of your car, and is required as part of your terms and conditions, but don’t worry, the cost of the test and any repairs needed to general wear and tear are included as part of your lease

Look out for your new Personal Identifica­tion Number (PIN). We’ll send this to you along with all the informatio­n about your new lease and the Terms and Conditions. Your secure PIN enables you to ‘sign’ all the paperwork via the dealer’s computer. Take it with you when you pick up your new car. One month to go:

If you have adaptation­s fitted to your car, you don’t have to remove them, but if you want to, please arrange this with your local adaptation­s installer. You are responsibl­e for the costs involved in removing any adaptation­s, which will need to be made payable directly to the adaptation­s installer.

Keep in touch with your dealer about the delivery date. Don’t worry if there’s a delay. The dealer supplying your new car will arrange for you to stay in your current car until the new one is ready. However, if you are in a Low Mileage or Long Term Lease Extension and there is a delay, please call 0300 456 4566 to arrange this. Collection day!

When collecting your new car, don’t forget to bring your driving licence plus the letter we sent you which includes your PIN

Return your current car to the dealer supplying your new car

Hand back any documentat­ion and equipment that was given to you with the car, such as the manufactur­er handbook and any spare keys (including any red keys issued). This could also include a key for locking wheel nuts, a tyre inflation kit, radio or key codes, sat nav SD card, remote controls, parcel shelves or additional seats.

The dealer will take a brief condition descriptio­n of the car. Provided the car is in good condition you could receive a £250 bonus a few weeks later.

Check that you and/or your nominated drivers are on your new insurance cover note.

Make sure the dealer has your correct contact details so they can contact you during your lease with important informatio­n such as service reminders.

Before you enter your PIN ask your dealer to give you a tour of the car. If you don’t recognise any features please discuss this with your dealer before you leave.

Then drive away in your new car!

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