The Motability Scheme offers an incredible package of benefits for disabled motorists. We look at what’s included, from breakdown cover to maintenance.

The Motability Scheme’s primary attraction for disabled people and their carers is the choice of over 2,000 car models to select from, all of which can be leased by exchanging the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment). But that’s not all, the depth of the package is such that it covers many of the other aspects that motorists require including servicing, breakdown assistance and even insurance.

Maintenance

Safe motoring starts with making sure that your car is safe and comfortable to drive – and that means regular maintenance. This isn’t just about fixing things if they go wrong, Motability’s attitude is clearly that prevention is better than cure and will arrange servicing at set times during the lifetime of the lease or after your car has been driven a certain number of miles. The make and model will also have a bearing on this process since manufacturer recommendations differ from one to another and are also taken into account.

Servicing

As you would expect, the service offered by Motability as part of your package of benefits will include checks to engine oil, windscreen washer fluid, engine cooling system, lights, and tyre tread and pressure – including the spare tyre. You might think that these are all items that could easily be checked by motorists themselves but really, who does on a regular enough basis? It may also be the case that other more serious issues come to light as a result of these simple inspections. (If additional checks are recommended by the car’s manufacturer, these will also be included, similarly, adaptationsfittedd at the start of the lease will be inspected by the installer as per their advice.)

Furthermore, by getting an official service you’ll also be keeping the vehicle’s manual/log book up to date by getting it stamped by the relevant technicians. Your vehicle will be serviced by your managing dealer. (This can also be helpful since as the lease lifetime passes you’ll get to know each other and the dealer will develop an appreciation of your needs.) Your Motability dealer will also contact you to arrange an annual MOT test – again, this is all part of the package.

Good Condition Bonus

As an extra incentive to getting the services completed on time, customers that look after their vehicle thoroughly could receive a Good Condition Bonus of several hundred pounds at the end of the lease period.

Organisation

By giving the dealership responsible for your car three weeks’ notice before your service they will be able to arrange a standard courtesy car if it’s going to be off the road for a while. Should the courtesy vehicle not suit your needs they will attempt to make other arrangements.

Repairs

The only repairs that Motability customers are asked to pay for are those not regarded as due to wear and tear – or as described in the insurance documents. In cases where the customer is liable for repair costs, they may look at filing a claim with RSA Motability.

Breakdown Cover

You may be surprised to learn that breakdown cover is provided as part of your Motability package. This reflects the level of care that Motability has towards its customers and the realisation that for some disabled people, being stuck at the roadside could present serious issues.

Cover is provided for the duration of the lease period by RAC Motability Assist. They provide a 24 hour (freephone) service and in the event of a breakdown will aim to be with you within 45 minutes.

Recovery

If your car cannot be repaired at the roadside Motability Assist will take it to the nearest place where it can be repaired. To assist you, they will take up to eight people on to a single location or provide a replacement car- or otherwise arrange overnight accommodation (or onward travel costs) up to the value of £300.

You can also utilise Motability Assist if you are at your home (or work) when the breakdown occurs.

Replacement cars

In some instances where Motability Assist assess your car as being not fi t to drive they will provide a replacement for up to 48 hours (contacting you after that time period to discuss your options should your car not be fi xed).

If your car is being repaired at an RSA Motability recommended repairer as part of an insurance claim, you will get a replacement vehicle until your car is fixed, or you will be contacted to discuss alternative arrangements. If your car is stolen, you may be required to provide additional information, such as a Crime Reference Number.

Holidays

RAC Motability Assist covers driving throughout Europe, on request. You will be offered RAC European breakdown cover. It is worth noting that if you want to drive even further afield that you’ll need to arrange appropriate cover.

If you are towing a caravan or trailer, Motability Assist will still take care of issues with your car but that any repairs to your caravan or trailer will incur extra costs. If the problem is with the car, Mobility Assist will tow you to your destination of choice – or to a place of safety up to 10 miles away if the fault is with your caravan or trailer.

RAC Motability Assist advise contacting them before setting out on your journey to arrange additional cover for your caravan or trailer.

Insurance

As many disabled motorists will tell you, finding appropriate insurance cover can be a challenge. Yet again, Motability steps up and provides solid motor insurance policies for customers. If there is a downside it’s that because Motability own the car, you won’t accrue a no claims bonus for if you ever want to leave the Scheme. Also, the cover does not extend to personal belongings in the car. This can be an important point to manage through other means since it might be that you’re carrying vital mobility equipment, etc. One solution is to extend your home contents insurance policy or speak with a specialist disability car insurance company.

Getting in touch with Motability

If you have queries relating to any aspect of the Scheme you can contact Motability’s excellent customer services department on: 0300 456 4566 or send an email via the website.

The helpline operates between the opening times listed below: 8am-7pm Monday to Friday 9am-1pm Saturday If you have specialist Minicom equipment, you can call the textphone number on: 0300 037 0100 For Deaf customers who have an enquiry about the Motability Scheme, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters can relay communication between you and the customer services team – via the Motability website.

www.motability.co.uk