How do you get a Motability car?
Mobility is important to all of us, and losing it can have a huge impact on our lives. If you are disabled but still want to drive, the Motability Scheme can help.
More than three million people have already benefitted from the scheme since it began in 1978. The registered charity helps you to spend your mobility allowance (provided by the government) on a lease for a new car that's perfectly suited to your individual needs.
If you're interested in securing a mobility car, but don't know how to go about it, our guide will help.
The benefits of Motability
There are several benefits to Motability, including:
- You'll receive a new car every three years
- Hundreds of different cars to choose from
- Road tax included
- Servicing and maintenance included
- Full breakdown assistance included
How do I know I am eligible for Motability?
To qualify, you must receive mobility allowance and have at least 12 months remaining on your award length. The following allowances are accepted:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP)
Choosing a mobility car
If you are eligible for the scheme, it's time to start looking for a suitable car. The car search on the Motability site will show you what cars are available under the scheme, but there are several factors to think about first.
Most importantly, you should decide how much you want to pay. There are around 150 cars available to those who don't want to spend their entire mobility allowance and you can widen your choice to 400 vehicles by spending all your mobility allowance. If you're still not satisfied with the selection is available, you can pay a one-off sum of up to £2,000 known as an Advance Payment, which will significantly widen the range of vehicles you can lease.
You should also consider what types of journeys you'll be making in the car, for example, if you live in an urban area and will only use the vehicle for work, food shops and trips to see local friends, a small city car. Some other questions to ask yourself: how many people will be travelling in the car on a regular basis? If you have a scooter or wheelchair will it fit? Will you require any adaptations? etc.
Speak to a Motability specialist
The next step is to speak to a Motability specialist, as they'll be able to book you in for test drives, arrange for products to be delivered to your home (if that's easier) and provide advice if you're still unsure about which vehicle would be best for you. You can find one at almost 5,000 dealerships across the UK – use Motability's search to discover your closest Motability dealership.
Order your mobility car
If you've test driven a car and are happy that it suits your needs, then the final step is to put in an order. You'll need to book an appointment with a Motability specialist and bring with you:
- Your driving licence
- A proof of address (e.g. a utility bill)
- Certificate of entitlement for your award from either DWP or Veterans UK
Your application will then need to be checked, which will take a few days. Once you've passed the checks, the dealership will arrange the delivery of your new car!
At Autochair, we sell a range of products that can improve the accessibility of your car, including driving aids, scooter/wheelchair lifts and person hoists. To find out more on the Motability Scheme visit their website here