Motability explained

What’s the Motability scheme, and how does it work?

By Tia Harrison-North

If you’re exploring options for accessible driving, you might be wondering: how does Motability work and how can it benefit you?

Motability is a scheme that offers a mobility allowance to lease a vehicle car (as well as Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV), scooters or powered wheelchairs) with servicing, insurance and breakdown cover included.

If you receive a qualifying UK mobility allowance with at least 12 months left, you may be eligible to join the scheme and get a vehicle that suits your needs.

How does Motability work?

The Motability scheme works by allowing you to exchange your mobility allowance for a lease car. This will be paid directly to the Motability charity, which will then pay the car leasing retailer.

Car leasing feels a lot like renting. You’ll get to keep your car for a contracted period, and hand it back at the end of that period, while paying a monthly leasing fee.

With Motability, your mobility allowance covers the lease payments. This will also include insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.

You’re exempt from paying road tax on a Motability car, though the car will still need to be taxed. This is typically included in your Motability scheme for the first year, but you’llbe responsible for renewing the tax annually after that.

Each lease through the Motability scheme lasts about three years, and you can cover up to 20,000 miles per year during this time, although your agreement may differ slightly.

Am I eligible for Motability?

• You need at least 12 months left of:
• The higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• The enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
• The higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
• The higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment

You can get a named driver on your Motability car insurance if you’re unable to drive yourself. They must have a full UK or EU licence or be a provisional licence holder accompanied by someone with a full licence.

Your named driver could be a friend, carer or family member who must follow the scheme rules.

How to get a Motability car

To get a Motability car, you first need to check that you’re eligible for the scheme. If you’re applying for a Motability vehicle for your child, you’ll need to check their eligibility.

Once you’ve confirmed your (or your child’s) eligibility, you can start searching for a car.

You’ll need:

• ID – like a passport or driving licence
• Certificate of entitlement from the Department of Work and Pensions

You can then follow these steps:

1. Find a dealer using the Motability website and ask to book an appointment with their Motability expert to get you set up
2. Once they’ve helped you find a suitable car, you can order your vehicle. You’ll need to have:

• ID – like a passport or driving licence
• Certificate of entitlement from the Department of Work and Pensions
• Proof of address, like a council tax bill from the last six months
• Your National Insurance number or Motability Customer Reference Number
• Your driver declaration (if the driver isn’t there when applying)
• Your grant award letter

Once it’s ready, collect your vehicle and sign the lease agreement. The lease payments will be made directly from your allowance provider.

How to apply for a Motability car

Applying for a Motability car is a relatively straightforward process and, at Marshall Motor Group, we’re here to help everything run smoothly.

You just need to browse lease cars on our website, find your perfect model and reach out to our team of Motability Scheme experts.

They’ll help you with the application process and get your car ordered.

We have a Motability Scheme eligibility checker on our website if you’re still unsure whether you fit the criteria

What’s included with a Motability car?

The Motability Scheme doesn’t just include a lease car for three years, it also includes:

• Insurance
• Servicing and MOTs
• Breakdown cover
• Up to three named drivers
• For electric cars, you may get:
• Home charging point (including installation)
• Access to the bp pulse network for charging

Motability at Marshall Motor Group

The Motability Scheme can be a great way to use different benefit allowances to aid your independence.

At Marshall, we have a wide range of lease cars that can be obtained through the scheme and we’re happy to get you set up.

Our Motability experts can help with your application and find you the perfect lease car for your needs.