Motability Cars for Affordable Transport

Ever heard of the motability cars scheme? It’s been around for a little while now, though perhaps not with as much of a press spotlight as the initiative has deserved. The Motability scheme, which applies to more than just cars (though it is the cars we are concerned with here), is an idea that enables holders either of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Government sponsored Disability Living Allowance, or a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement, to get hold of proper transport without having to pay huge sums of money for it.

So how does the motability cars scheme actually work? Well, anyone who qualifies, as per the two criteria listed above, is eligible to either lease or buy a brand new vehicle through the scheme. Leasing, which is by far the most popular way of engaging with the Motability scheme, enables customers to “own” a new model car, specifically adapted for disabled use (with modifications like parking sensors and cameras thrown in free), for a minimal monthly hire charge. The charge is subsidised by the motability cars scheme, hence the benefits of using it (rather than just going out and leasing a car on one’s own).

There are a pretty huge number of fringe benefits thrown in with the motability scheme that makes it very much worth the disabled person’s while. For a start, all taxation, insurance, servicing and regular maintenance is taken care of as a part of the monthly payment. That means, effectively, that any person engaging in the motability package need never worry about the extra costs normally associated with running a vehicle. Also, drivers whose car is leased as a part of the motability cars scheme don’t even have to drive the vehicle themselves – they can name up to two qualified drivers to run the car for them, which means they get access to transport that friends and carers can operate for them, completely legally and fully covered by insurance.

Motability drivers can choose to buy their vehicle, if they prefer – participating garages sell the car out on a Hire Purchase agreement, with payments similar to the lease charges. HP motability drivers, though, don’t get the tax disc arranged for them, or any of the servicing benefits a lessee does: so in general it makes sense for motability cars to be leased rather than bought.

How does one go about enrolling in the scheme? It’s pretty simple, really. If a person is eligible (again, as noted above, holding either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance scheme, or having a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement), they can simply go down to a participating garage, present their credentials, and get a lease hire of a scheme vehicle. It’s a pretty rare example of a Government led initiative that actually works. There are no hidden costs, no unexpected pitfalls – just a scheme that does exactly what it promises. That’s a special thing – particularly the part where named drivers can legally use the motability cars to get their owners around. With no drawbacks that we can see, anyone who qualifies would be daft not to take advantage. Happy motoring!