*Edit*
Click here for a review of this product.
Motability
I am just coming up to the end of my first contract with Motability. Overall, it has been a very positive experience. There is something very reassuring about knowing that all our motoring costs are covered. Especially when I am so heavily dependant on my car.
The problem now though is trying to afford a new car. Since the value of my Disability Allowance – Mobility Component is a fixed amount and the value of cars varies widely, Motability makes up the difference by charging an Initial Payment. Obviously, this payment changes according to the car you want.
Motability play a lot on the fact that x many cars can be bought for Zero Initial Payment and x many of these are automatic. In reality though, finding an automatic car that I can get my wheelchair in and have room for an overnight bag is kind of difficult. In addition, this situation is one that has definitely got worse over the past few quarters (Motability produces a new price list every 3 months). This time round the difference between the price of automatics and manuals has become really stark.
Clutch Adaptation
So, when this months Mobilise magazine dropped through the door, the article about using a Right Hand Clutch really caught my eye. A bit of research showed that this adaptation allows the user to operate the clutch pedal with their right hand instead of their left foot. Since my difficulty is mainly with my left leg, this seems like an ideal solution.
But is it?
Both Mobilise and Motability advise the advice of a local Driver Assessment Centre but there isn’t time to make an appointment before my contract is up. I have tried to contact the manufacturer of the adaptation but they are yet to respond and taking a car out for a test drive without the adaptation fitted seems to lack point.
This leaves me a bit stuck. If I buy a manual car I will get much better value for money. On a good day, I might even be able to drive it!
If I have the adaptation fitted (free under the Motability scheme), there is a good chance I’ll be able to drive it on a bad day too. But, would this be better than driving an automatic car that isn’t quite as nice and has a very small boot?
If you have an opinion, please share it with me!!
*Edit*
Since writing this post, I have taken delivery of my next Motability car. It is a manual Volve V70 with an Alfred Bekker Right Hand Clutch adaptation fitted.
Read my review HERE!
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Motabilty have a team called Renewal Support Team who may be able to help. They can try and help you find a vehicle that is sutable for you within your price range and may be able to help with the adapations. Whilst this may not be successful in your situation it would be worth giving them a call to discuss all the options avaliable to you. Motability number is 0845 456 4566
Thanks for the response.
After a second day of test driving yesterday, we decided that we were getting MUCH better value for money with the manual. I spoke to Alfred Bekker and they confirmed that there would be no problems fitting the adaptation to our chosen car. They also gave me the number of their rep in my area.
Since the rep’s info came by email, I didn’t get the chance to ask if he had any way that I could try out the adaptation. I suppose this would only be possible with a demo car?
Either way, I think it’s the best solution on paper. Just need to cross our fingers it works out in reality!
I would love to hear from anyone that uses this system though. If there are any downsides, it would be nice to know about them in advance!
J.