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. The Motability Scheme now supports around 915,000 customers across the UK.

New orders placed on or after the 1st July 2026, 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 (During a three-year lease you can now replace up to six tyres. Up to four of these can be for damage and during a five-year lease you can now replace up to ten tyres. Up to six of these can be for damage).
• Windscreen repair or replacement
• 30,000 mileage allowance over three-year for cars; 50,000 for WAVs over a five-year lease. (You will then pay for any mileage you do over your allowance at a cost of 25p per mile, including standard rate VAT).
• Vehicle adaptations also available, many at no extra cost
• Insurance for up to three named drivers for cars and WAVs
• Annual Car Tax
• Electric care charging point or access to a BP Pulse network
• EU breakdown - You will need to pay an admin fee and let the RAC know that you are travelling to the EU

All cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs provided under the Motability Scheme are leased to customers by Motability Operations Ltd, which operates the Scheme under contract to Motability, a registered charity. Motability Operations Ltd is responsible for the finance, administration and maintenance of the Motability Scheme and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Following government tax reforms that took effect on 1 July 2026, the standard rate of VAT (20%) now applies to most new vehicle leases. However, the rules are very specific about how and when it is charged:

• Your Core Mobility Allowance: No VAT is applied to the direct transfer of your standard government mobility allowance. Your weekly or monthly benefit payments will not have VAT deducted.
• Advance Payments and Extras: Standard 20% VAT is now charged on any out-of-pocket top-ups. This includes Advance Payments for higher-spec cars, excess mileage charges, and early termination fees.
• Existing Leases: If your lease was ordered before 1 July 2026, you are not affected by these tax changes until you order your next vehicle.

You can still receive complete VAT relief (0% VAT) on your Motability lease if you meet specific HMRC criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

If you live in England or Wales and you receive one of these qualifying mobility allowances, with at least 12 months left you are eligible to join the Motability Scheme. Higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement. (Scotland have different mobility allowances).

You can get a 50% reduction in the cost of your vehicle tax if you get the standard rate of mobility component of PIP.

Parents and guardians can order a car on behalf of a child aged three and above who is receiving the higher rate mobility component of DLA.

Attendance Allowance cannot be used to lease a car through the Motability Scheme.

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 approx 34 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:

Cars that cost less than your mobility allowance, meaning you keep any money left over.

Cars costing the same as your mobility allowance, so that you swap your allowance for the car of your choice.

Cars that use your full mobility allowance and also require an advance payment, so you can increase your choice further by paying a one-off upfront payment.

Cars are available on a three-year lease with a mileage allowance up to 30,000.

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 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are available on a five-year lease with a mileage allowance up to 50,000 miles. A limited number of nearly new WAVs are available on a three-year lease with a mileage allowance up to 30,000.(You will then pay for any mileage you do over your allowance at a cost of 25p per mile, including standard rate VAT).

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.

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 three-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

In 2022, Motability Scheme vehicles accounted for around 12% of all new cars on the road in the UK. This significant purchasing power helps Motability negotiate competitive prices with vehicle manufacturers and secure favourable terms for customers, including the cost of vehicles, insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and 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, 30,000-mileage allowance over three years for standard cars (50,000 for WAVs), windscreen repair or replacement, tyre repairs and replacement, MOTs and road tax, a range of adaptations where needed and up to three named drivers for cards and WAVs. (You will then pay for any millage you do over your allowance as a cost of 25p per mile, including standard rate VAT),

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.

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 is available for your needs and budget
• Take your mobility aids with you, so you can check the car for size and accessibility
• Use Motabilitys 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

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.

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.