What is Motability?
The Motability scheme has been set up to support differently abled and disabled motorists lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter using government-funded allowances.
Known as ‘Motability’, the scheme enables qualifying people, whether differently abled themselves or caring for someone who is, access to a new car, the insurance on it, breakdown cover and modifications required to help with driving.
It’s like a one-stop shop and the dealerships tend to be really clued up on it. There are more than 4,500 dealerships that are registered with the scheme, helping motorists lease a car, with or without wheelchair assistance.
Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible for the help, the vehicle is made available to you through a lease.
What are the best Motability cars? Read our guide here
Since there are some really decent models available for the monthly amount paid out by the government, over 50% of the Motability scheme’s participants just transfer their monthly government allowance straight over and don’t pay anything else on top.
For some higher-spec or more expensive models, there’s an additional top up required as a lump sum at the start of the lease. What’s more, the scheme may also be able to help with financial assistance so you’re able to afford the mobility solution you need. For example, you may need cash to fund vehicle adaptions, driving lessons or a larger wheelchair-assisted vehicle (WAV).
Once an application is accepted, the customer will enter into a contract hire agreement in which they make one monthly payment to Motability to cover all costs. This payment is covered by your allowances. There may also be an initial payment required, depending on the price and spec of the car you’re interested in.
It is also possible to use a hire purchase agreement to buy a car. However, this method likeley doesn’t include the servicing, maintenance or breakdown cover.
There are certain terms and conditions in the lease agreements that applicants need to agree to comply with. For example, there may be a mileage limitation of 60,000 miles for the period of the lease. You may also need to inform Motability’s insurance provider, if you intend to use the vehicle for work purposes. However, the insurance is very comprehensive, covering most potential issues. Though issues such as loss of keys, or damaged car interior aren’t covered, there’s no obligation to repair ‘fair use wear and tear’ when it comes to returning the vehicle at the end of the lease period.
How do you apply for Motability?
Eligibility is key. Once you’ve confirmed that you qualify for the support, there are three steps to applying for Motability:
- ‣ Choose the car you want
- ‣ Find a dealer using the Motability ‘find a dealer’ tool
- ‣ Order your car through Motability
Who qualifies?
The scheme is available to anyone who has 12 months or more remaining on either their Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (currently £89.60 per week) or their War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (currently £69.50 per week).
Although around two thirds of people applying drive themselves, non-drivers can apply for a car. If you don’t drive yourself, you can nominate two other people to drive the car.
Parents and carers can also apply on behalf of a child, provided they are over three years of age.
If you apply there will be no medical assessments and no waiting lists. You just need to decide whether to apply for the Car Scheme or the Powered Wheelchair and Scooter scheme.
The car scheme
If you decide you’d like to apply for the car scheme you get:
- ‣ A brand new car every three years (or wheelchair accessible vehicle – WAV – every five years)
- ‣ Insurance
- ‣ Servicing and maintenance
- ‣ Full breakdown cover
- ‣ A mileage allowance of 60,000 miles (or 100,000 for WAVs)
- ‣ A selection of vehicle modifications at no extra cost to enable the driver to make full use of the car
- ‣ You choose from a huge range of cars from major manufacturers, with many cars available for little more than your allowance amount.
The wheelchair and powered scooter scheme
This scheme works in a similar way to the car scheme, and promises:
- ‣ A brand new powered wheelchair or scooter of your choice every three years, from a range of over 200 vehicles
- ‣ Standard pricing over the whole country
- ‣ Insurance
- ‣ Servicing and maintenance
- ‣ Loss and damage protection
Parkers top tip:
Once you’ve found you qualify for Motability you can check our full reviews of the cars you’re looking at to see what they’re like.
