My brother is on the higher rate of Attendance Allowance. He wants to lease a car and as his carer I would be the his driver since he cannot drive. I have enquired at a number of car leasing companies and have only got one reply saying they could not help but didn’t say why. If he was under pension age he could have a Motability car but this is not possible as an OAP. Surely there are some other people who are in this position who could advise me?
Hi @Daniel_1711 I’ve never come across anyone in this position before. A quick internet dive suggests that leasing agencies look at the lessee being the driver, and they may be reluctant because of the arrangement you’re looking for. Most people who use Motability don’t have the private lease option because of the income requirements, so they may feel a bit skittish about something that they’ve not come across before. I wonder if it’s worth talking directly to a car dealership?
I would suggest that they are discriminating due to a disability. Where his money is coming from is none of their business.
Hi Charlesh47, thanks for replying. I also noticed that the lessee always appears to be the driver in the agreement. I really don’t think it should matter that he isn’t the driver and is only responsible for the payments. If he was to buy a car in a regular way it wouldn’t be a problem because I could be the registered keeper on the V5 document even though I wouldn’t be the owner. On the V5 it says “this document is not proof of ownership”.
In the case of the leasing company they remain the owner of the vehicle so I don’t see that they have a problem if I insured it in my name.
Surely in the case of Motability I would have to be the driver as my brother is medically incapable of driving and has no licence.
I really don’t see why this should be so difficult providing everything is done legally and it is fully insured.
Hi bowlingbun, I tend to agree with you about disability discrimination. It could also be the case that a lease agreement with someone with medical problems severe enough to be on AA is a risk they would not contemplate as his future is not clear. No doubt this could be sorted out with an insurance guarantee to pay off the rest of the lease should he die, but it complicates the situation and probably would put them off.
My apparently fit and strong husband died in his sleep at 58. Everyone can die at any age!
However, your post has made me think that a letter asking them to explain their refusal might be a good idea.
Just a very short innocent looking “please explain” letter.
Their reply to such a naive looking letter might get them to make an unguarded reply?!
My boss taught me how to do these, a skill that has come in handy many times.
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Thank you for the reply. I am sorry to hear about your husband. I agree there is no certainty for any of us. I sent an email to six different leasing companies and got just one reply! I am amazed they would turn down or ignore a potential customer and I will consider asking the one company that replied “this isn’t something we will be able to assist with” why this is the case.
I would write to the others asking “when can I expect a reply?”
What did you actually ask them?
I agree with you. I just think that it’s something they’ve never dealt with and if they check their usual boxes it sounds like a high risk. You get all sorts of images in your head if you don’t know anything about disability. Especially among us oldies - we’re all going to snuff it tomorrow…
That’s why I suggested literally dropping into a dealership: get them talking about the car you want, show interest, then when they want to clinch the deal, talk about the lease option and the way you want it to work. Lead them gently by the nose to what you’re after. Too easy to say no to an email, not so easy to say no face to face.
I wrote:
"I am the carer for my disabled brother and would like to know the car leasing possibilities for my brother who is getting the higher rate of Attendance Allowance in addition to his pension. He would be the person paying for the car lease and I would be the nominated driver. I am aware that Motability is not possible for a person over pension age so it appears a lease would be the best alternative if this is possible.
Could you please inform me whether this could be arranged with his name as the person on the lease agreement. I would like to do all this initially via email so I can estimate the leasing of a car as compared to buying a car. I understand that a financial check would have to be made, but I see no problem with this."
You are probably right that a face to face enquiry would be beneficial. We know that in car sales the dealer’s eyes light up when they see a potential sale in front of them. That’s if I last that long to do this!
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Too much information!
Just say you want to lease a car, if you are brother’s DWP appointee or you have Power of Attorney, you can write it and sign it as if it’s for you, then use his money to pay for it.
Otherwise write a letter for your brother to sign, saying he wants to lease a car with his brother as nominated driver.
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