The Motability scheme has been set up to support differently abled and disabled motorists to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter using government-funded allowances. The scheme enables qualifying people, whether differently abled themselves or caring for someone who is, access to a new Motability car, the insurance on it, breakdown cover along with modifications to facilitate driving.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Motability Scheme, explain who qualifies, and highlight the benefits it offers.
Understanding how the Motability scheme works
It’s like a one-stop shop, and the dealerships are really clued up on it. There are over 4,500 dealerships registered with the scheme, helping motorists lease Motability cars, 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.
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 likely 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.
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 £75.75 per week) or their War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (currently £84.55 per week).
Although around two thirds of people applying to 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.
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
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
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.
FAQs
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What are the rules of having a Motability car?
When you receive your new Motability car, both you and your nominated driver, along with the dealer, will need to sign a statement of responsibilities form. This ensures that everyone understands the terms and conditions for using the vehicle under the scheme.
Rules to remember:
• The disabled person uses the car, or it's used for their benefit
• Only drivers on your Certificate of Motor Insurance drive the car
• You only have one driver under the age of 21
• You make Motability aware of any changes that may affect your lease -
What can't you do with your Motability car?
Owning a Motability vehicle comes with certain terms and conditions. Some apply generally to car ownership, while others are unique to the scheme.
Misuse of the car includes:
• Not using it for the disabled person's benefit
• You or someone else driving without insurance or while you're banned
• Using it in a criminal act
• Lending, sub-leasing or selling it
• Using it for business reasons Motability haven't agreed upon with you
• Not taking care of it
Motability have the right to terminate the lease, if they have reason to believe the car is being misused, as well as stop you from getting another scheme vehicle.
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