The Motability Scheme has published its autumn price list, revealing more than 670 cars available to choose from between October and December, including nearly 30 with no Advance Payment.
The latest figures show there are now 815,000 customers across Great Britain, including around 80,000 living in Scotland using the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme. Both schemes are exactly the same and run by Motability Operations, with the different name depending on which part of the country you live in. It's important to be aware that nobody using the scheme gets a 'free car'.
Scheme eligibility and how it works
The scheme enables people in receipt of a disability benefit - such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - with an award for the higher or enhanced rate of the mobility component, to transfer some or all of the payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.
The new autumn price list for leasing packages was published on the Motability Scheme website on October 1. It is updated every three months and will run until the end of December.
Warning on rising costs
However, Motability Operations has warned that this is a “challenging quarter” and acknowledged that some customers will feel the impact of rising costs.
Andrew Miller, chief executive of Motability Operations, the company that runs the Motability Scheme, said: “For our customers, having the right vehicle means freedom to work, see family, get to appointments and live life independently.
“This is a challenging quarter, and while we've done our best to protect value and choice, we know some customers will feel the pressure of rising costs.
“We work closely with manufacturers to provide good value for disabled customers, and we're pleased that, despite the wider pressures in the market, customers can still choose from more than 670 cars, including nearly 30 with no Advance Payment, alongside a strong selection of vehicles built here in the UK.
“We'll keep listening and working hard to protect choice and value for the customers who rely on the Scheme.”
How Motability prices are set
Motability updates its vehicle prices four times each year - on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. The organisation says this allows it to respond to changes in vehicle prices, supply and availability as well as the cost of insurance, servicing, maintenance, repairs and breakdown cover included in leases.
Customers use their qualifying mobility allowance towards the cost of their lease. Where the cost is higher than the allowance covers, an Advance Payment may be required at the beginning of the lease. This means Advance Payments can rise, fall or remain unchanged when the quarterly price list is updated.
There is some protection for people who have already ordered a vehicle. Motability says the price is locked once an order is placed, meaning customers will not pay more if the Advance Payment subsequently increases before they collect their vehicle.
How the scheme works in Scotland
Social Security Scotland guidelines state: “When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.”
Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of either: the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, or the higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA).
You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following criteria: you get either the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment, enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, or higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult DLA; you're 16 or over; you're able to manage your own payments; and you have at least 12 months until your next scheduled review, or you have an indefinite award.
Social Security Scotland also advises you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else. This might be an option if you are either a parent or guardian of a child receiving the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment, or an appointee for someone who is receiving either the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment, enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, or higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult DLA.
How to apply
To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can choose a vehicle and find a dealership. When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement, which you'll find included in your Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment decision award letter. If your benefit is moving to Scottish Adult DLA, Social Security Scotland will send you your certificate of entitlement up to 5 days after your benefit has moved.
