Who is eligible for the Motability scheme?

You're eligible for the Motability scheme if you receive one of these benefits at the qualifying rate: Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of PIP (Personal Independence Payment), Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance), Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland), War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, or Armed Forces Independence Payment. You must have at least 12 months remaining on your benefit award when you apply.

How much does a Motability car cost?

You don't pay a lump sum for a Motability car. Instead, you transfer your mobility benefit payment (currently £75.75/week for PIP Enhanced Mobility) directly to Motability. Many cars are available with no advance payment — your benefit covers everything. More expensive or popular models may require an advance payment (one-off upfront cost) that can range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. Insurance, maintenance, servicing, breakdown cover, and road tax are all included.

What happens when my Motability lease ends?

A standard Motability lease lasts 3 years (5 years for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle). At the end of the lease, you return the car and can choose a new one if you're still eligible. Motability will inspect the car for condition — normal wear and tear is expected and not charged. In some cases you may be offered the option to buy the car at the end of the lease, though this isn't guaranteed.

Can someone else drive my Motability car?

Yes — you can nominate up to 3 drivers on your Motability car. They must be aged 21 or over (25 for some vehicles) and have held a full licence for at least 3 years (or 1 year in some cases). The nominated drivers don't need to be family members. You don't have to be in the car when a nominated driver uses it, as long as the journeys are connected to your needs.

Motability Scheme Guide — How to Get a Car on Motability | PocketWise

Motability Scheme Guide — How to Get a Car on Motability

How the Motability scheme works, who's eligible, what's included, how much it costs, and how to apply for a Motability car, scooter, or powered wheelchair.

By PocketWise · 25 March 2026 · 4 min read

The Motability scheme helps disabled people lease a new car, scooter, or powered wheelchair by exchanging their mobility benefit. Over 700,000 people use it. Here’s everything you need to know.

How the Motability Scheme Works

Feature	Detail
What it is	A charity-backed scheme letting you lease a vehicle using your mobility benefit
Lease period	3 years (car) or 5 years (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle)
What you give up	Your mobility benefit payment goes directly to Motability
What you get	A brand new car with insurance, maintenance, road tax, breakdown cover, and tyres all included
Advance payment	Some cars are £0 advance; more expensive models require a one-off upfront payment

Who Can Apply

Benefit	Qualifying rate
PIP — Mobility Component	Enhanced rate (£75.75/week in 2025/26)
DLA — Mobility Component	Higher rate
Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) — Mobility	Enhanced rate
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement	Full rate
Armed Forces Independence Payment	Full rate

Additional Requirements

Requirement	Detail
Benefit award remaining	At least 12 months left when you apply
Age	Must be 3 or over to apply (child applications made by parent/guardian)
UK resident	Must live in the UK

Note: If you receive PIP Standard Rate Mobility or DLA Lower Rate Mobility, you’re not eligible for the scheme.

What’s Included

Included	Not included
Insurance — fully comprehensive for you + up to 3 named drivers	Fuel/electricity costs
Maintenance and servicing	Parking fines or congestion charges
Road tax (VED)	Motorway tolls
Breakdown cover (RAC)	Personal items stored in the car
Tyre replacement (fair wear and tear)
Windscreen repair/replacement
Accident and damage cover (subject to excess)
Adaptations (if needed)

Cost — What You Pay

Element	Amount
Weekly mobility benefit transferred	PIP Enhanced Mobility: £75.75/week
Annual amount transferred	£3,939/year
Advance payment (many cars)	£0 (nil advance)
Advance payment (more expensive models)	£500–£6,000+ depending on the car
Insurance excess	£0 (no excess for the scheme customer or named drivers)
Servicing and MOT	£0 (fully included)
Road tax	£0

Example: Nil Advance Payment Cars

Many cars are available at no upfront cost — you only give up your mobility benefit:

Type	Examples (varies by availability)
Small cars	Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo, Kia Picanto
Family hatchbacks	Ford Focus, Nissan Qashqai, Kia Ceed
SUVs	Hyundai Tucson, MG ZS
Electric vehicles	MG4 Electric, BYD Atto 3
Wheelchair Accessible	Various WAV conversions

Check motability.co.uk for the latest price list — it changes quarterly.

Types of Vehicle

Type	Lease period	Advance payment range
Car	3 years	£0–£6,000+
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)	5 years	Varies (often higher)
Powered wheelchair	3 years	Usually £0
Scooter	3 years	Usually £0

Adaptations

Detail	Information
What are they?	Modifications to the car to suit your disability
Examples	Hand controls, steering aids, wheelchair hoists, swivel seats, left-foot accelerators
Cost	Included — Motability covers the cost of most adaptations
Fitted by	Accredited specialists
Assessment	May need an assessment at a Motability-approved centre

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Check you receive a qualifying benefit at the right rate
2	Visit a Motability scheme dealer (most major dealerships participate)
3	Choose your car from the Motability price list
4	Complete the application form at the dealership
5	Nominate your drivers (up to 3)
6	Motability processes the application (usually a few weeks)
7	Collect your new car

What You’ll Need

Document	Detail
Benefit award letter	Showing Enhanced Rate Mobility (PIP) or Higher Rate (DLA)
Driving licence	Yours and any nominated drivers
Proof of address	Utility bill or bank statement
National Insurance number

Named Drivers

Rule	Detail
Maximum named drivers	3
Minimum age	21 (25 for some vehicles)
Licence requirement	Full UK licence held for 3 years (or less in some cases)
Relationship	Don’t need to be family — but journeys should be connected to your mobility needs
Can they drive without you in the car?	Yes — as long as the journey relates to your needs (e.g. picking up your shopping)

At the End of Your Lease

Option	Detail
Get a new car	Return the old one, choose a new one from the current price list
Return and don’t replace	Your mobility benefit payments revert to you
Buy the car	Motability may offer this — not guaranteed, ask your dealer
Condition inspection	Normal wear and tear is fine. Excessive damage may be charged

Good Condition vs Damage

Acceptable	May be charged
Light scratches from normal use	Deep scratches or dents
Minor stone chips	Large chips or rust
Tyre wear (legal tread)	Tyres below legal limit
Normal interior wear	Tears, burns, stains, pet damage
Alloy scuffs (minor)	Severe alloy damage

Motability Grants

Grant	Purpose
Charitable Grant	If you can’t afford an advance payment, the Motability charity may help
Who can apply	Anyone eligible for the scheme who needs financial help
How much	Varies — can cover all or part of the advance payment
How to apply	Through your Motability dealer or call Motability directly