PIP UK: Daily Living, Mobility, Points System, Assessments and AppealsMotability 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.
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.
For many disabled people and their families, the Motability scheme is transformative. Instead of trying to save up for a car or navigating the difficulties of buying, insuring, and maintaining a vehicle independently, you simply redirect the Enhanced Rate Mobility component of your PIP — money that’s already being paid to you — and in return get a brand new car with all the running costs covered. Insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, road tax, tyres, and windscreen repairs are all included.
The scheme is run by Motability Operations, a company overseen by the Motability charity. It negotiates bulk deals with manufacturers, meaning scheme customers often get better prices than private buyers. Around half of all new cars ordered on the scheme have a nil advance payment — meaning the only cost is the mobility benefit you redirect.
For the wider cluster covering carers’ support, disability benefits and practical mobility-related help, use the main Carers & Disability Benefits hub.
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
Understanding the Motability cost model is key: you don’t ‘pay’ for a car in the traditional sense. You redirect your existing mobility benefit — money you’re already entitled to — to Motability instead of receiving it yourself. In return, the scheme covers the car and all its running costs. For many people on fixed incomes, this package approach makes budgeting far simpler than managing a privately owned car.
The main variable is the advance payment — a one-off upfront cost required for more expensive or in-demand vehicles. Many cars are available with a nil advance payment, meaning you give up nothing extra beyond your benefit.
| 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
For many scheme users, the adaptations available are just as important as the car itself. Motability covers the cost of most vehicle adaptations through its approved network — hand controls, steering modifications, wheelchair hoists, and more. This is significant: privately sourced adaptations can cost thousands of pounds and may need to be redone on every new vehicle you own. With Motability, they’re installed for free and the cost doesn’t affect your advance payment.
| 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 |
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