Motability
What is it?
This is a scheme which enables eligible families to lease cars, including Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), scooters or powered wheelchairs.
Who is eligible?
What is included?
Adaptations
Costs
Duration of lease
Who can drive the vehicles?
Things to consider
Motability is available to people who receive the higher rate mobility part of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the enhanced rate mobility part of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The scheme is available throughout the UK. In Scotland, the scheme is available to people who receive the higher rate mobility component of the Child Disability Payment or the enhanced rate mobility part of the Adult Disability Payment.
Your child needs to have at least 12 months left on their allowance to be able to apply. If you are within a year of this allowance running out, you need to wait until the allowance is renewed. It may be helpful to talk this through with a Motability advisor.
Applying on your child’s behalf
You can apply on a child’s behalf if you are their parent, appointee or you have guardianship. You can apply for Motability up to three months before their third birthday if their allowance has been confirmed (although the lease will not start until they receive their allowance).
In addition to the lease of the vehicle, families will have access to advice about adaptations, and receive insurance cover, servicing and MOTs, and breakdown cover. If you lease a WAV, you will receive an annual check for the ramp or lift and adaptations.
There are a number of adaptations which can be requested for vehicles leased through this scheme. Some of these have an additional cost. There are details about different adaptations here: https://www.motability.co.uk/whats-available/adaptations/
Different adaptations installers may favour different adaptations. It is important to look around and do some research to make sure that the adaptations being offered are appropriate for your needs. You may need to consider alternative installers. Likewise, it is important to consider which vehicles are appropriate for the adaptations, as not all adaptations will fit all vehicles.
The cost of leasing the vehicle will either be less than, equal to or more than the allowance that your child receives:
If it is less than the allowance, it will be deducted from the allowance before the allowance is paid.
If it is equal to the allowance, the full allowance will be paid to Motability.
If it is greater than the allowance, the full allowance will be paid to Motability and you will be asked to pay an additional Advance Payment, based on the cost of the vehicle. Some families may be eligible for a New Vehicle Payment of £750 if they order their first vehicle before the end of 2024 (or when you get your next vehicle if you have not received this payment before but are already part of the Motability Scheme). This New Vehicle Payment can be used towards the Advance Payment. Alternatively, if you are unable to cover this cost, you may be eligible for a grant from the Motability Foundation: https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/charitable-grants/scheme-related-grant-programmes/
Leases for cars last for three years and WAV leases last five years. At the end of this time, you can lease another vehicle, extend the lease on your current vehicle (for up to two more years) if you have low mileage or lots of adaptations on the vehicle, or return it and have your child’s mobility allowance reinstated. You cannot extend a lease more than once – if you would like to do this, you need to contact Motability customer services.
Up to three drivers can be insured on the Motability vehicle. There are restrictions on the cars that can be driven by drivers under 25, as detailed on this webpage: https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/during-your-lease/cars-wavs/named-drivers/ You can only have one driver aged under 21. Drivers with some convictions, disqualifications or endorsements within the last 5 years cannot drive a Motability Scheme vehicle. If your child has multiple carers and requires 24-hour care (or is eligible to live in a residential care home, nursing home or school), you may wish to consider an open insurance policy. This is something you can discuss with the Motability advisors.
At the end of your engagement with the Motability scheme, you will be asked to return the vehicle, but your insurance, service, MOT, and breakdown cover is included for the scheme's duration. It is worth bearing in mind that if your child’s mobility allowance changes, this may result in you having to give up the vehicle. Conversely, if you decide to buy an adapted car or WAV (either new or second hand), this will be yours to keep. This is more expensive than using the leasing scheme, but you will also be required to cover additional costs such as insurance and servicing. The Motability scheme does not cover fuel costs.
Deciding what is best for your family is a personal decision, and it may be helpful to discuss your situation with the Motability Customer Services team to help you decide how to proceed and what may be available to you (https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/contact/).