The Motability Scheme offers an affordable way for disabled people to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.
Since it began in 1978, the Motability Scheme has helped millions of disabled people and their families.
The Motability Scheme is delivered on a day-to-day basis by Motability Operations Ltd, under contract to the Motability Foundation.
The Motability Foundation may be able to provide charitable grants to disabled people to access the Motability Scheme and use their vehicle more easily. All of our grants are means-tested to make sure we provide funding to those most in need of support.
Find out more about our grants.
Who can join the Motability Scheme?
The Motability Scheme is available to anyone who receives one of the following allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP);
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA);
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS);
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP);
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Child Disability Payment (CDP); and
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of the Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Carers and parents can drive on behalf of the disabled person. This means thatparents of children aged three and above, and non-drivers can apply to join. The vehicle must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person.
If you have not yet been awarded one of the above allowances, you will need to have this before you can apply to join the Motability Scheme.
How does the Motability Scheme work?
With the Motability Scheme, all or part of your mobility allowance is transferred to Motability Operations Ltd for the duration of the lease period. Some vehicles cost the same as, or less than, your weekly allowance. More expensive vehicles require an additional payment (known as an Advance Payment) to cover the cost of the lease.
How to join the Scheme
If you decide that the Motability Scheme is right for you, there are a few steps you need to take in order to lease a new car, WAV, scooter or powered wheelchair:
- Choose a vehicle - test drive it and consider adaptations.
- Find a dealer - there are over 4,500 Motability Scheme dealerships in the UK.
- Order the vehicle - the dealership’s Motability Scheme specialist will assist with each order.
Every lease includes:
- Insurance (for up to three named drivers for cars and WAVs).
- Servicing and maintenance.
- Full breakdown assistance.
- Tyre repair and replacement.
Leasing a car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) will also cover:
- 20,000 mileage allowance per year of lease.
- Window and windscreen repair or replacement.
- A choice of adaptations, many at no extra cost.
