The Motability Scheme
Motability Scheme is a national charity that enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter simply by using their government funded mobility allowances. The great thing about the scheme is that it gives
you access to worry-free motoring without the financial and practical hassles of owning a car. Currently, more than 760,000 people in the UK are using the motability scheme.
The following items are included in the worry-free package:
- A brand-new car, powered wheelchair or scooter every three years, or wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) every five years
- Servicing and maintenance
- Full breakdown assistance
- Replacement tyres (for cars, scooters and wheelchairs) and batteries (for scooters and wheelchairs)
- Windscreen repair or replacement
- 60,000 mileage allowance over three-year for cars; 100,000 for WAVs over a five-year lease
- Vehicle adaptations also available, many at no extra cost
- Insurance for up to three named drivers for cars and WAVs
- Annual Car Tax
All cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs provided under the Motability Scheme are leased to customers by Motability Operations Ltd, who operate the scheme under contract to Motability. Both Motability and Motability Operations Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Motability Operations Ltd is a company responsible for the finance, administration and maintenance of motability cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs.
How the Scheme Works
The Motability Scheme uses your mobility allowances towards funding the leasing of a car or a powered wheelchair or scooter through a local accredited dealership or premier partner.
There are over 4,500 Motability accredited dealerships across the UK and over 900 eligible models (with 35 car manufacturers currently involved with Motability). The accredited dealerships prioritise disabled customers and urgent repairs, as well as providing knowledge of the Motability Scheme and wheelchair access. In fact, all of the accredited dealerships have at least one Motability specialist who can help you find the right car for your needs.
Most manufacturers offer nil or low deposits through the Motability Scheme, although offers change quarterly, so we would recommend that you liaise with your local Motability premier partner to find the best deal for your needs.
Leasing a Car
The Motability Scheme has a wide range of cars to choose from and there are three pricing options:
Leasing a Wheelchair Assisted Vehicle (WAV)
If you find transferring from your wheelchair into a standard car and storing your wheelchair difficult, a WAV could make traveling a lot easier for you. WAVs are vehicles that have been converted by specialists so that wheelchair users can travel in them while remaining in their wheelchair, either as a passenger or a driver.
Brand new WAVs are available on a five-year lease with a mileage allowance up to 100,000. A limited number of nearly new WAVs are available on a three-year lease with a mileage allowance up to 60,000.
Nearly new WAVs come with the same all-inclusive worry-free lease package and are often a more affordable way to lease a WAV on the Motability Scheme.
New Vehicle Payment
A new payment was announced for people who ordered a car or WAV on or after the 3rd January 2025. If you are eligible then you will receive a one-off payment of £750 called the New Vehicle Payment. You can choose to have this sent directly to your dealer to help towards your Advance Payment, or have this paid in full to you after you get your vehicle. If you ordered y our car or WAV after the 4th January 2025 then you are not eligible for this payment.
Good Condition Payment
You will receive back some money at the end of your lease if you return your car back in good condition. When you hand your car back to the dealership, they will take photos and a brief description of the condition of the car. If your vehicle shows no sign of serious damage, you should be eligible for this payment. The amount you receive depends on the length of your agreement, but it is currently £250 for a thee-year lease and £350 for a five-year lease. (You will only receive this payment if you did not request the £600 that was paid during Covid-19 to customers before the end of their lease).
A Better Deal For You
Accounting for around 12% of all new cars in the UK, Motability has the power to negotiate better deals on finance, the purchase price of cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters, insurance, breakdown recovery services and regular maintenance.
A Choice of Options
You can lease a new car from an extensive list of vehicles on a three year contract hire lease; a hire purchase scheme is also available. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are available to travel in as a passenger or driver on a five-year leases.
When you receive a brand new car through Motability, it will include insurance, servicing and maintaining, full breakdown assistance, 60,000- mileage allowance over three years for standard cars (100,000 for WAVs), tyre repairs and replacement, MOTs and road tax, a range of adaptations where needed and up to two named drivers for cards and WAVs.
Car Adaptations
Adaptations available through the Motability Scheme are designed to make your experience of driving as safe and comfortable as possible. They can help you with vehicle access, equipment loading, and driving, including steering, braking and acceleration.
There are currently around 500 adaptations available, many of these are available at no extra cost when fitted at the start of your lease. You can find a full list of available adaptations on the Motability website.
Vehicles that are specially converted so a wheelchair user can travel either as a passenger or a driver without needing to transfer out of their wheelchair.
Size, shape and design of WAV's will vary depending on the original vehicle that is used for the conversions and the company that converts it.
Obtaining a Scooter or Powered Wheelchair through the Motability Scheme
It is possible to obtain a brand new scooter or powered wheelchair on a three-year lease through Motability. (Custom-made wheelchairs are available on a five-year lease). You will also receive loss and damage protection for your product, insurance, breakdown assistance, tyre and battery replacement, service, maintenance and routine repairs.
Visiting a Dealership
We would always recommend that you visit your local Motability dealership before committing to a specific car. To make the most out of your visit: Look at the cars and WAVs section of the Motability website to see what’s available for your needs and budget Take your mobility aids with you, so you can check the car for size and accessibility Use Motability’s checklist for tips (available for download from the Motability website) Arrange to take a test drive Fill out the Motability Suitability Questionnaire Find out the expected delivery time Ask questions
Leasing a Scooter or Powered Wheelchair
If your lifestyle is more suited to short journeys and you can travel fairly independently, a scooter or powered wheelchair could help with your mobility.
There are over 500 products to choose from, ranging from small boot scooters to large road ready scooters for going longer distances and carrying heavier loads. The majority of scooters and wheelchairs cost less to lease than your allowance so your remaining allowance is paid directly into your bank.
A new payment was announced for people who order a scooter or powered wheelchair before the end of 2024. If you are eligible then you will receive a one-off payment of £100 called the New Product Payment, which you will receive within a few days of getting your new product.
Further information:
The Motability Scheme
Homecare Advice for the Disabled
Disability Advice
Advice and Information for the Disabled
Advice on Benefits for the Disabled
