How Does The Motability Scheme Work?

The Motability scheme is a charity that was set up to enable people with disabilities to use their government mobility allowances to obtain a car, electric wheelchair or a scooter. The mobility allowance is simply exchanged for a vehicle, service, car insurance and adaptations.

To be eligible for the motability scheme a person must be receiving a higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance or a war pensioners mobility supplement. It is not only for drivers as passengers can also use the scheme to get a vehicle. The scheme does not require any medical or credit checks to be carried out.

The Motability scheme works by either providing a vehicle on contract hire or hire purchase. With contract hire a person would have their allowance put into the monthly cost of the vehicle rental as well as the cost of service and cover. The driver gets to choose a new vehicle every three years if they continue on with the scheme. With hire purchase the car will be bought from the motability car dealer at whatever price is agreed. The motability scheme in this instance just acts as a finance intermediary. The hire purchase will not cover other details such as insurance or maintenance.

There are a large number of car dealers in the U.K. that specialize in adapting accessible mobility vehicles. Specialized dealers will be familiar with the motability scheme and can take care of all the adaptations that your vehicle may require. Also if you are going for contract hire they will be able to arrange all of the details under one roof so that you don't have to go to a number of different outlets to find insurance and breakdown cover. A number of dealerships will offer the option of visiting you at home to demostrate the options available with the accessible vehicle that you are interested in.