She's arrived - finally.

[blueclouduk]

I am now, thanks to Motability, the proud owner of a spanking, brand new, Seat Altea XL.

Full designation:

Seat Altea XL SE 1.6 CR TDi in Black Magic with convenience pack and towbar wiring.

She was ordered in the middle of March, built on the 11th June, transported to the dealership on the 30th June and the handover took place around 16:00 today.

SWMBO loves her. To be fair, so do I.

I've already debadged the rear hatch, didn't like the reference to eXtra Large.

Changing the front indicator bulbs tomorrow. Have silver bulbs that shine orange when powered. It removes the "fried egg" effect on the reflector.

Depending on the weather, I plan to respray the front grille. Just not a fan of the chrome surround, so some very fine glass-paper, alcohol, lint free cloth, etch primer and 3 or four coats of satin black. It should make the front end look a little more aggressive.

Also thinking of giving the same treatment to the rear badge/handle.

The calipers need a coat of paint. At the moment they're the dull, factory spec, silver/grey. I've had some very good results with smoothrite pain on previous cars so will stick to that. Bright red calipers sould look very nice through the standard 10 spoje 16" alloys.

All the glass behind the B pillar is getting an extra layer of tint film as I'm used to not being able to see any bags on the back seats.

Need to fit a tow bar. Detachable, so it doesn't spoil the rear lines. Also need to wire in a 13 pin euro-plug for towing.

Last job will be a full detail of the outside. Remove all the existing polish, clay the paintwork and glass and then reapply polish. I normally use AG for everything but as she's black I might look at trying the Poor Boy's Natty Wax for dark cars.

I have a busy few days ahead.



PS End of day 1 and have 103 miles on the clock already.

 

[m0rk]

Subtly modded XL?

Look forward to the pics!

 

[Toxic]

Congratulations. any pics yet?

 

[bobbycfc]

Didn't think Motability would allow you to do all those modifications??

 

[ming]

I am now, thanks to Motability, the proud owner of a spanking, brand new, Seat Altea XL.

Full designation:

Seat Altea XL SE 1.6 CR TDi in Black Magic with convenience pack and towbar wiring.

She was ordered in the middle of March, built on the 11th June, transported to the dealership on the 30th June and the handover took place around 16:00 today.

SWMBO loves her. To be fair, so do I.

I've already debadged the rear hatch, didn't like the reference to eXtra Large.

Changing the front indicator bulbs tomorrow. Have silver bulbs that shine orange when powered. It removes the "fried egg" effect on the reflector.

Depending on the weather, I plan to respray the front grille. Just not a fan of the chrome surround, so some very fine glass-paper, alcohol, lint free cloth, etch primer and 3 or four coats of satin black. It should make the front end look a little more aggressive.

Also thinking of giving the same treatment to the rear badge/handle.

The calipers need a coat of paint. At the moment they're the dull, factory spec, silver/grey. I've had some very good results with smoothrite pain on previous cars so will stick to that. Bright red calipers sould look very nice through the standard 10 spoje 16" alloys.

All the glass behind the B pillar is getting an extra layer of tint film as I'm used to not being able to see any bags on the back seats.

Need to fit a tow bar. Detachable, so it doesn't spoil the rear lines. Also need to wire in a 13 pin euro-plug for towing.

Last job will be a full detail of the outside. Remove all the existing polish, clay the paintwork and glass and then reapply polish. I normally use AG for everything but as she's black I might look at trying the Poor Boy's Natty Wax for dark cars.

I have a busy few days ahead.
PS End of day 1 and have 103 miles on the clock already.

You say "..............thanks to Motability............" Another member questions whether or not Motability would permit mods. Well, I'm confused. What is Motability?

 

[Toxic]

So it's a pimped DLA car?

 

[bobbycfc]

You say "..............thanks to Motability............" Another member questions whether or not Motability would permit mods. Well, I'm confused. What is Motability?

Motability is the Charity Scheme whereby if you are registered fro disability benefits you can exchange some of these for a car on a hire-purchase sort of deal but on very preferential rates.

I am sure their cars are not supposed to be modified or pimped in any way.

 

[andythom]

I appraise/inspect motability cars on a daily basis....we class every mod as damage/requiring replacement....

Under the scheme if this damage accrual surpasses and acceptable level the motab 'user' may have their allowance on the next car lowered to recoup the loss

 

[JamesL]

So how much of a loss is a debadge, change of bulbs, painted calipers and a satin black grille going to create?!

Hardly major 'mods' we're talking about, most people wouldn't know the difference between his and a standard factory delivered car - all of those things are available on other cars as standard.

 

[andythom]

Most people don't value and appraise cars to motability standard....

Grill is 30 quid badges 15 quid....

Nothing major themselves....motab wouldn't charge for them themselves....but if there's any damage to the car, wings, doors, quarters, bumpers....45 quid might affect the end result...

Oh and if damage is repaired prior to a car being handed back and is not up to scratch....it's charged as a rerepair...

 

[andythom]

I'm not saying this to put anyone off modding a motab....least I'd know it's being looked after better than some of the cars I see! But be wary....if the car gets damaged and the total cost to repair is more than motab find as 'standard' then it may affect future allowances etc...

But like I say glad your looking after or will look after it better than what some people do....seen some horrors and wrote off cars with less than a thousand miles on the clock!

 

[ming]

Motability is the Charity Scheme whereby if you are registered fro disability benefits you can exchange some of these for a car on a hire-purchase sort of deal but on very preferential rates.

I am sure their cars are not supposed to be modified or pimped in any way.

Thank you for the explanation. I've looked up the relevant web pages and in addition to "very preferential rates" you mentioned, it seems there's free insurance, tax, servicing, tyres etc. etc.

The originator states he/she is the "new owner". So, the originator has the disability.
Having read through the DLA/Motability schemes and the qualification criteria I'm somewhat surprised he/she has gone public on this. I think I'd be keeping my intentions to myself if I were him/her. After all, having read the aforementioned qualification criteria it's difficult to comprehend how a qualifying-person could undertake the list of things-to-do as outlined by the originator.
Or, is the scheme so full of holes that those who qualify can make revelations of this nature without fear of calling into question their continued eligibility?
He/she states, "I have a busy few days ahead." By that I assume he/she is personally undertaking the work, which includes:

"The calipers need a coat of paint...............". No mean physical task to remove all four wheels, clean, paint and re-assemble.

"Need to fit a tow bar. Detachable, so it d oesn't spoil the rear lines. Also need to wire in a 13 pin euro-plug for towing." That takes a bit of muscle and no mean level of agility.

"Last job will be a full detail of the outside. Remove all the existing polish, clay the paintwork and glass and then reapply polish. I normally use AG for everything but as she's black I might look at trying the Poor Boy's Natty Wax for dark cars." Anyone who's done a "full detail" will need no reminding of just how physically demanding a task that is.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

 

[m0rk]

I've looked up the relevant web pages and in addition to "very preferential rates" you mentioned, it seems there's free insurance, tax, servicing, tyres etc. etc.

Slightly infactual...

Insurance, servicing, maintenance is 'included' in the hire cost - it's not free. Tax is not charged by the government dependant upon your disability status, regardless of car.

 

[ming]

Slightly infactual...

Insurance, servicing, maintenance is 'included' in the hire cost - it's not free. Tax is not charged by the government dependant upon your disability status, regardless of car.

Thanks for pointing out the "slightly infactual..."
Doesn't detract from the rest of my comments though.

 

[m0rk]

You're making huge assumptions regarding an individuals capability, which I think could be unfair.

I'll put money on the OP would gladly give up the car in return for a full return to health

 

[andythom]

You're making huge assumptions regarding an individuals capability, which I think could be unfair.

I'll put money on the OP would gladly give up the car in return for a full return to health

Would be unfair to assume the op is or has a disability....as he/she may have the car as a carer etc for someone who is or has a disability

 

[ming]

This is the liveliest thread for ages.

I knew nowt about Motability till now. Think I'd better delve into the detail as there's obviously lots of it. I'm looking forward to finding out how the funding works.

Off topic
Just done some digging and it's a contentious area, right enough. Example: Some individuals with Motability vehicles have never been in them. Family members have them almost exclusively for their own use.
There are lots of deserving cases, obviously, but from what I've just been reading all is not as it should be. Like all benefits it's open to abuse and Motability seems to be no different.

 

[m0rk]

Motability isn't a benefit. But you can only use it if in receipt of higher rate mobility DLA.

 

[ming]

Motability isn't a benefit. But you can only use it if in receipt of higher rate mobility DLA.

OK, you are correct, it isn't. But as you say, it can only be accessed via a DLA benefit therefore could be similarly defined.

However, I'm not going to pursue my original post or delve any further into Motability, because the more I read about the extent of the abuse the more vexing it becomes. There can be no doubts those in charge of the Charity and the DLA will be aware of this abuse. Lets hope they are planning revisions to stamp it out.

BTW, although the abuse is widespread, it is nothing in comparison with the legalised abuse of the taxpayer by the scheme itself.

 

[andythom]

OK, you are correct, it isn't. But as you say, it can only be accessed via a DLA benefit therefore could be similarly defined.

However, I'm not going to pursue my original post or delve any further into Motability, because the more I read about the extent of the abuse the more vexing it becomes. There can be no doubts those in charge of the Charity and the DLA will be aware of this abuse. Lets hope they are planning revisions to stamp it out.

BTW, although the abuse is widespread, it is nothing in comparison with the legalised abuse of the taxpayer by the scheme itself.

Agreed