The Motability Scheme helps disabled people and their families access affordable, reliable mobility. It is run by Motability Operations Ltd and overseen by the charity Motability Foundation. Over 915,000 disabled people across the UK use the scheme to stay mobile and independent.

Who Can Join the Motability Scheme?

To be eligible you must receive one of the following qualifying mobility allowances with at least 12 months remaining on your award:

• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
• War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

You Don't Need to Drive

You do not need to be able to drive to join. The insurance covers up to three named drivers, so family members, carers or friends can drive the vehicle for your benefit.

Children Can Join Too

Children aged 3 and over who receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA or Child Disability Payment can join the scheme. Parents or guardians lease the vehicle on the child's behalf.

How the Motability Scheme Works

You exchange your mobility allowance payments for a three-year lease on a brand-new vehicle. The allowance goes directly to Motability Operations, so you do not receive the money yourself.

• 1
  Choose your vehicle - browse cars, WAVs, scooters and powered wheelchairs at motability.co.uk or visit a Motability dealer
• 2
  Check advance payment - many vehicles have no advance payment. More expensive vehicles may require an upfront one-off payment (see below)
• 3
  Your allowance transfers automatically - once you join, your weekly mobility allowance goes directly to Motability Operations
• 4
  Use your vehicle for three years - everything is included. New leases come with 10,000 miles a year, so 30,000 miles over a three-year car lease. WAV leases include 50,000 miles over five years
• 5
  Return and renew - at the end of three years return the vehicle and choose a new one. If you return it in good condition you may receive a Good Condition Payment of £250 for a three-year lease, or £350 for a five-year lease

What's Included in Your Package

What you pay for: Fuel or charging costs only. Excess mileage at 25p per mile above your allowance, parking fines, and damage beyond fair wear and tear.

Advance Payments Explained

An advance payment is a one-off upfront payment covering the difference between the total lease cost and what your mobility allowance covers over three years. On the July to September 2026 price list there are over 30 cars with no advance payment at all, and more than 70 options with no or low advance payments.

Cars, Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs

Choose a Car or WAV if:

• You travel longer distances regularly
• You want to travel with family or carers
• You need to carry shopping, equipment or mobility aids
• You need a WAV to travel in your wheelchair

Choose a Scooter or Powered Wheelchair if:

• You mainly need help with shorter journeys
• You prefer to travel independently without a driver
• You want something more portable
• You need indoor mobility support as well as outdoor

Available Vehicle Types

Cars

From small city cars to large family vehicles, including electric and hybrid options. Following the November 2025 changes, premium brands (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Alfa Romeo) and all coupes and convertibles are no longer available. A wide range of mainstream vehicles remains, and Geely, Jaecoo, Chery, LEAP Motor and Omoda joined the scheme during 2026.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)

Specially converted vehicles with lowered floors or ramps, wheelchair restraint systems and space for carers or family members. Most WAV customers qualify for VAT relief on their advance payment, because the vehicle is permanently and substantially adapted for someone who is usually a wheelchair or stretcher user. Your converter will confirm whether relief applies to you. WAVs are also typically eligible for Motability Foundation grants.

Mobility Scooters

Transportable and foldable scooters for short trips, standard scooters for regular local use, and road-legal scooters for longer distances and varied terrain.

Powered Wheelchairs

Compact indoor models to robust outdoor chairs with advanced suspension and all-terrain capabilities.

How to Apply

• 1
  Check eligibility - confirm you receive a qualifying allowance with at least 12 months remaining
• 2
  Browse vehicles at motability.co.uk - filter by advance payment, fuel type, body style and features
• 3
  Find a dealer near you using the Motability dealer locator and book an appointment with their Motability specialist
• 4
  Dealer appointment - they will check your eligibility, discuss adaptations, arrange test drives and complete the paperwork
• 5
  Order your vehicle - delivery typically takes a few weeks to several months. Electric vehicles may have longer waits.
• 6
  Collect or receive delivery - the dealer will explain everything, show you any adaptations, and you will sign the lease agreement

Financial Help and Grants

If you need financial help with an advance payment or adaptations, the Motability Foundation offers charitable grants based on individual need.

• Advance payment grants - for people who need a specific vehicle (such as a WAV) but cannot afford the advance payment
• Adaptation grants - for expensive adaptations not fully covered by the scheme
• Specialised Vehicles Fund - for heavily adapted vehicles with complex modifications
• Grants for people losing benefits - if your mobility allowance stops after reassessment, the Foundation may help fund an independent vehicle

Blue Badge and Motability

Being on the Motability Scheme does not by itself give you a Blue Badge, and neither does simply receiving enhanced rate PIP mobility. What matters is how your PIP points were awarded. In England you qualify automatically if you scored 8 points or more for "moving around", or exactly 10 points under Descriptor E for "planning and following journeys". Scotland and Wales use 8 points or more for "moving around", or 12 points for "planning and following a journey". You also qualify automatically if you receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment, or if you are registered severely sight impaired.

If you do not meet those thresholds you can still apply, and your council will assess your application. Apply through your local council. A badge costs up to £10 in England and up to £20 in Scotland, and is free in Wales. Badges usually last up to three years, and renewal is not automatic.

Your Blue Badge entitles you to park in disabled bays and use single or double yellow lines for up to three hours (check local restrictions). For full details on parking rights across the UK see our tolls and bridges guide and our London parking guide.

Common Questions

Returning Your Vehicle

At the end of your three-year lease return your vehicle to the dealer clean, with all accessories present, and with the service history up to date. You may be charged for excess mileage at 25p per mile above your allowance, damage beyond fair wear and tear, or missing accessories.

If you return it in good condition you may receive a Good Condition Payment of £250 for a three-year lease, or £350 for a five-year lease, which can be used toward the advance payment on your next vehicle.