If you receive the higher rate component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you may be eligible to lease a car under the Motability Scheme.
The Motability scheme provides a cost-effective package of benefits for disabled motorists, based around a vehicle leasing scheme.
Leasing
Once you’ve been accepted onto the Scheme and have selected the vehicle you’d like to lease, your benefit will be diverted to Motability to cover the lease payments. Whilst your lease is likely to take your entire mobility component, there may be cars available on the Scheme that are slightly cheaper, so you’ll get the difference back. Similarly, if you select a more expensive vehicle you will likely need to find an upfront payment which can range from under £100 to a few thousand, depending on the model.
If you require a more expensive vehicle for a specific reason or to satisfy a particular need arising from your disability, you may be able to get further help with the payments since Motability retains its status as a charitable organisation.
Search ‘financial help’ at: www.motability.org.uk
The lease on a Motability car usually lasts for three years. This means that after that time you’ll be given another new car – and because the cars are new, will be both efficient and reliable.
The Motability package
As already mentioned, the Motability scheme is based around car leasing but there are several other benefits packaged up for customers that make it a very cost-effective way to run a car.
As well as making a selection from over 2,600 brand new vehicles, Motability customers are given further benefits which include:
Insurance
Motability customers enjoy excellent motor insurance cover through RSA Motability (RSAM) which includes not only standard points like loss or damage to the car, accidental damage, and fire and theft protection, but also covers items such as tyres and windscreen – which are both subject to free replacement if worn or damaged.
Furthermore adaptations and modifications which are needed and which Motability have agreed to and which RSAM have been informed about are also covered, among a longer list of items and scenarios, including travel within European Union (EU) countries (for up to 90 days in any 12-month period).
RSAM insurance is subject to excess which is based on the age and experience of the driver. Full details of individual policies are stated in your agreement and in your insurance policy document. (If your car needs to be repaired you must pay the excess for each individual incident before the repair starts.)
It is also worth noting that RSAM insurance does not cover any personal contents such as phones or equipment like wheelchairs etc. You should therefore arrange your own contents insurance to cover items that are likely to travel with you in the car, perhaps by extending your household contents insurance cover.
Breakdown cover
Motability vehicles are covered by RAC breakdown assistance and Kwikfit tyres.
Vehicle tax
Motability customers do not pay vehicle tax.
Paperwork
To order a vehicle from the Motability Scheme you’ll need to present your certificate of entitlement from the Department of Work and Pensions as well as proof of your identity. You sign your lease agreement on the day you collect or have your vehicle delivered.
Find dealerships on the Motability website: www.motability.co.uk or Tel: 0300 456 4566.
Motability re-negotiate prices with manufacturers every three months to ensure their customers continue to gain excellent value for money.
Try before you buy
Ask for an appointment with the Motability specialist at your chosen dealership. They will have knowledge and experience that they can share with you in helping to make your choice a good fit for your needs. They may be able to visit you at home or arrange transport for you to get to the dealership.
Dealerships often use a questionnaire as a starting point in finding a vehicle that suits you. If you’re not happy with the choice of vehicles the dealer has to offer, it’s worth contacting another – they might have other options.
Let your dealer know if you think your vehicle needs to be adapted. Motability offer some adaptations for free. (If you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, take it with you to make sure it fits in the car.)
Place your order
Once you’ve selected the right vehicle for you, place your order at the dealership. About two weeks after ordering your car you’ll get a confirmation letter. This will contain your Personal Identification Number (PIN). You’ll need this when you collect the vehicle. (You’ll sign your lease agreement by entering your PIN at the dealership.) If needs be, you can ask for the vehicle to be delivered or picked up by somebody else.
Eligibility criteria
It’s definitely worth checking the criteria carefully to see if Motability can help you.
You can get a Motability car or vehicle if you’ve been awarded:
• Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for 12 months or more.
• Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for 12 months or more.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement for 12 months or more.
Note that you’ll only be paying for the lease of the vehicle – it won’t belong to you. If you stop receiving your benefit, you’ll have to return it.
Other named drivers
Motability customers are allowed to select up to two other people as ‘named drivers’. This will help enormously if you find yourself unfit to drive from time-to-time – or indeed, if you’ve never learnt to drive – there’s no reason for you to miss out on the benefits of Motability. Your named driver(s) must live within five miles of your home and only one named driver under 21 is permitted – this could be the disabled customer, or another driver living at the same address.
More:
Customer Services Tel: 0300 456 4566
8am-7pm Monday to Friday
9am-1pm Saturday
There are several other accessible contact methods available via the Motability website: www.motability.co.uk
