Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Motability Scheme - run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price. The scheme covers Drive from Wheelchair, Wheelchair accessible Vehicles and certain Disabled Driving Adaptations.
How the scheme works
The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing or buying a car if you are getting the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Even if you do not drive yourself, you can apply for a car as a passenger and propose two other people as your drivers. You can also apply for a car on behalf of a child aged three or over who is entitle to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.
Contract Hire
Through the contract hire scheme you can lease a new car supplied by a Motability accredited dealer for at least three years. Insurance, routine servicing and breakdown assistance are included. You can apply if you have 12 months or more of your Disability Living Allowance 'award' remaining. If your award is not renewed during the full length of your chosen scheme, you car will need to be returned. At the end of the normal period, the car is returned to Motability Operations who run the car scheme under contract to Motability. Please see our new
wheelchair accessible vehicles page for qualifying vehicles and prices.
Hire Purchase
Hire purchase enables you to buy the car you want. This can be a new or used car. You are responsible for negotiated the purchase price of the car with the dealer and arranging insurance cover. At the end of the hire purchase agreement - which can be between three and five years - you will own the car.
Financial help and VAT relief
If money is a problem when financing the car or adaptations, Motability may be able to provide a grant through their own charitable fund or the Specialised Vehicle Funds which they administer for the government. Disabled people do not have to pay VAT on the cost of hiring a car through the Motability Scheme. The cost of any work involved in adapting a vehicle for a disabled person is also eligible for VAT relief.
Free adaptations
A selection of Alfred Bekker products can be fitted for free to your Motability vehicle, including our hand controls. Please see our
Motability Managed Adaptation Programme Page for more details