Revealing The Lesser-Known Benefits Of Motability

Thank you to Mobility in Motion for welcoming us at MotaClarity back for another guest post! We’re excited to continue our collaboration and share more valuable insights that can help even more people experience greater mobility.

The Motability Scheme has long been recognised for its support of disabled motorists here in the UK, and it’s easy to see why – a recent survey shows that 96% of customers are highly satisfied with the scheme! While its core benefits are widely known, we thought this would be a great opportunity to explore some of the lesser-known facts and features that could make it an even better fit for those seeking to improve their mobility.

Who Can Access The Motability Scheme?

The Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the new Scottish Adult Disability Payment (ADP) are the main benefits that provide help towards some of the additional costs that people in the UK with a disability or a long-term health condition face. One of the key financial components of these benefits is linked to a person’s mobility, recognising the fact that it costs more for people with a disability to get around when using public or private transport.

People who receive the higher or enhanced Mobility Allowance part of these benefits, which is currently worth £75.75 a week, can choose to spend this money on whatever they need to help them get around.

One of the most popular places that they turn to is to the Motability Scheme. Through the Scheme it’s possible to exchange all or a part of the weekly £75.75 Mobility Allowance to lease a safe and affordable brand-new vehicle from an accredited Motability dealership.

Recipients of the Child Disability Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) and the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) can also qualify for the Motability Scheme.

The Main Benefits Of The Motability Scheme

Leasing a vehicle through the Motability Scheme comes with an extensive package that includes comprehensive insurance, servicing, maintenance, breakdown cover, and even coverage for windscreen and tire replacements. The 20,000-mile annual allowance ensures that you have the freedom to travel extensively. But beyond these well-known benefits, there are several hidden perks that you might not know about.

The Motability New Vehicle Payment

In response to rising car prices, Motability introduced the New Vehicle Payment, initially worth £250 but now increased to £750, and is paid to customers who are either new to the Scheme or renewing at the end of their existing vehicle lease. This payment helps offset the cost of a new vehicle, either by reducing the Motability Advance Payment or being paid directly to the customer after vehicle handover.

The Motability Good Condition Payment

At the end of your lease, if you return your vehicle in good condition, you may be eligible for the Motability Good Condition Payment. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, this payment typically ranges from £250 to £350, rewarding customers who have looked after their vehicle.

Lease A Manual Wheelchair For Only £100

As part of the Scheme, customers have the option to lease a brand new, lightweight manual wheelchair for just £100 when they order a new vehicle. These wheelchairs are excellent value, offering easy manoeuvrability and the convenience of folding down to fit comfortably in the boot of most Motability cars.

Insuring Up to 3 Drivers

The Motability Scheme’s worry-free package allows you to insure up to three drivers at no additional cost, ensuring that your vehicle can be driven by family members, friends, or carers. This flexibility is particularly beneficial if you don’t drive yourself but still need a vehicle for your mobility needs. You can also change the named drivers permitted to drive the car during the lease by getting in touch with the insurer, Direct Line Motability Insurance or via your Motability online account. Only drivers on the Certificate of Motor Insurance are insured to drive the vehicle and the car must always be used by, or for the benefit of, the person with a disability.

Lease A Vehicle Without Actually Driving It Yourself!

You don’t need a driving licence to lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme. Many customers who don’t drive themselves still benefit from the Scheme, as the vehicle can be driven by someone else – whether that’s a family member, friend, or carer. Some customers even lease a vehicle to learn to drive in. The key requirement is that the vehicle is always used for the benefit of the Motability customer, ensuring that your mobility needs are fully supported, even if you’re not behind the wheel.

Financial Support From The Motability Foundation

The Motability Foundation provides charitable grants to individuals with disabilities who might otherwise struggle to afford a vehicle or the specialised adaptations necessary to maintain their independence. These grants can also help cover the cost of driving lessons, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of mobility.

In their most recent Annual Report, the Motability Foundation highlighted their significant impact:

• Over 16,000 Motability Scheme customers received charitable grants.
• £31.6 million was allocated to customers through the Car and Vehicle Adaptations grant programme.
• £26.5 million was dedicated to the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) grant programme.
• £2.6 million was provided in driving lesson grants.

If you believe you might qualify for a grant, it’s important to reach out to the Motability Foundation Grants Team to discuss your specific needs.

Learning To Drive With Motability

If you’re interested in learning to drive, Motability has you covered. Individuals aged 16 and above who receive a higher or enhanced Mobility Allowance can start driving lessons a year earlier than the general population. There are some restrictions though for young drivers who want to drive a Motability Scheme car. Drivers under 25 years old can only lease a car with an ABI insurance group of 16 or lower and a power output of 120 brake horsepower (BHP) or less. For electric cars, it’s 140 BHP or less, and an ABI insurance group of 21 or lower.

Moreover, if you already have a Motability Scheme car that someone else drives for you (or if you have one on order), you can apply for a Motability Foundation grant to cover the cost of up to 40 hours of driving lessons. Before applying, you must also have a valid provisional licence and have passed your theory test.

The grant won’t cover the cost of the theory and practical driving tests.

If you think you may be eligible for a grant, you’ll need to contact the Motability Foundation and request a Driving Lessons Grant application form.

Adaptations To Suit Your Needs

One of the most empowering aspects of the Motability Scheme is the ability to adapt your vehicle to suit your specific needs. Whether you require hand controls, steering aids, or pedal modifications, the Scheme offers a variety of adaptations to ensure your vehicle is fully accessible and tailored to you. Many of these adaptations are provided at no extra cost.

Moreover, it’s important to note that these adaptations are not limited to traditional vehicles. Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids can also be adapted to meet your requirements, ensuring that you can embrace greener technology without compromising on accessibility. For a comprehensive list of available adaptations, we encourage you to check out this Mobility in Motion article and if you have any questions about vehicle adaptations, the experienced team at Mobility in Motion will be more than happy to help.

Taking Your Motability Vehicle Abroad

The Motability Scheme insurance cover means you can travel to foreign countries in your Motability car. You will need to contact the RAC Motability Assist Foreign Travel team a few weeks before you travel and complete a special form (VE103 Vehicle on Hire) to ensure you are fully covered, including breakdown cover.

We’ve previously explored this topic in detail in a guest blog post on Mobility in Motion, which you may find helpful when planning your travels.

Electric Cars & Free Home EV Chargers

As the popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, the Motability Scheme is keeping pace by offering EVs as part of their vehicle list. By March 2024, over 47,000 Motability Scheme customers were driving an electric model!

To support this transition, customers leasing an EV through the Scheme can benefit from a free home EV charger installation, making it easier than ever to maintain a fully charged vehicle at home. For those unable to install a charger, the Scheme offers access to the extensive BP Pulse network and membership of Motability Go Charge – which provides access to over 45,000 public chargers from over 20 different charge point providers.

Need to Exit Your Lease Early? Options Are Available

Leasing a car through the Motability Scheme usually involves a minimum 3-year commitment. However, the Scheme understands that personal circumstances can change, and your vehicle might no longer meet your needs. If this happens, contact the Motability team to discuss your situation. They review each case individually, and while there may be an administration fee of up to £250, it’s possible to end your lease early if necessary.

Online Motability Accounts and Apps

The Motability Scheme’s online account and dedicated apps make it simpler than ever to manage your vehicle and access support. From booking maintenance appointments to retrieving important documents, these digital tools put control at your fingertips.

Part-Exchanging If You’re New To The Scheme

If you’re new to the Motability Scheme and have a privately-owned car, you can choose to trade it in when starting your new lease. Work with a Motability Specialist at your local dealership and part exchange it with them, and the proceeds can go directly into your bank account. If you’ve opted for a Motability vehicle that requires an upfront payment, you could choose to use these funds toward the Advance Payment when you pick up your new car.

Join The Motability Scheme Today

With over 800,000 people already benefiting from the Motability Scheme, there’s never been a better time to explore whether it could be the right choice for you. Visit your local Motability-accredited dealership, where specialists can guide you through the process and help you find the vehicle that best suits your lifestyle.

Before heading to the dealership, why not browse our top 20 Motability cars, SUVs, and MPVs available today to narrow down your options?

Thank you once again to Mobility in Motion for inviting us back for another guest post! We’re grateful to be able to collaborate and share our expertise so that together we can help as many people as possible on their journey to greater mobility!