What is Motability?

The Motability scheme is designed to help disabled people remain mobile, and allows them to exchange their weekly mobility allowance to cover the cost of leasing a new car. The scheme leases cars, mobility scooters and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) to people who qualify for a government mobility allowance.

Even if you don't drive, you can still lease a car and nominate three people who can drive for you.

To find out if you are eligible to join the Motability scheme, click here.

What are the benefits of Motability?

The package that Motability offers includes insurance, servicing and maintenance, and breakdown cover that's provided by the RAC. Motability can also take care of your annual car tax. In short, many of the additional costs of running a normal car are accounted for.

A mileage limit of 60,000 miles over the three-year lease period is placed on Motability cars – if your car exceeds this mileage, you'll have to pay 5p for every additional mile.

If you need adaptations made to a vehicle, for example, hand controls, steering aids and pedal modifications, most are offered for free under the Motability scheme. Wheelchair users are also catered for, and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are offered on a five-year lease, with a total mileage limit of 100,000 miles.

Who funds Motability cars?

The Motability scheme uses your mobility payment to help cover the cost of a new car. The types of mobility payments that can be used on the scheme include:

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HMRC DLA) - this is currently £62.25 per week
• Enhanced Rate of Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) - this is currently £62.25 per week
• War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS) - this is currently £64.80 per week
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) - this is currently £139.75 per week

Are there any other costs?

Although many of the usual costs associated with running a car – including insurance, servicing costs and breakdown cover – are taken care of through the Motability scheme, there are other costs to consider.

You will be responsible for fuel and consumables (such as oil and screenwash), adaptations that need to be made to your car that aren't offered for free under the scheme, and any optional extras fitted to your car. Other costs such as insurance claims and any parking or speeding fines are also your responsibility.

What happens at the end of my lease?

Three months before your current Motability lease is due to end, you'll be contacted to place an order for your next car. If your current lease is due to expire before your next car will be ready, your supplying dealer will arrange a short term extension of the current car for as long as this is needed. 

How to lease a Motability car

You can lease a car under the Motability scheme from a car dealership. There are more than 4500 Motability dealerships across the UK, and you can use the Motability website to find your nearest dealer.

If your car requires an advance payment, this will need to be paid before you take delivery of the car.

In some cases, it is also possible to trade in your current car and use its value to part-fund your Motability lease, but this should be discussed with your dealer.

What are the best cars on Motability?

The Motability scheme offers a choice of cars from all of the major automotive brands. A wide range of vehicles is available on Motability, from city cars to family cars, SUVs and executive models. There is also a small number of electric cars to choose from.

The cheapest cars require no advance payment and are covered entirely by your mobility allowance. For example, many versions of the Skoda Fabia – a former What Car? Car of the Year – are available for the total cost of the mobility allowance.

To see our full rundown of the best small, cheap cars to lease on Motability, as well as the ones to avoid, click here. And remember, you can always find our What Car? verdicts on new cars by heading to our reviews section.

To find out more about leasing through Motability, watch the video below.

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