New mileage restrictions on Motability cars have been criticised by a disabled driver who is calling for the changes to be reviewed immediately. The updates follow tax changes introduced by the Chancellor earlier this year, which indirectly led Motability to set new mileage allowances.
Leases now come with an average yearly mileage allowance of 10,000 miles, or 30,000 miles for a three-year lease, down from 20,000 miles a year or 60,000 miles over three years. Sara Stacey said the new 10,000-mile limit is “too low”, leaving disabled motorists unable to “live their life” within the threshold.
Specialist care adds extra miles
The 40-year-old, who has Rigid Spine Syndrome and uses a wheelchair, said officials were not considering the extra travel required for certain conditions. Many disabled motorists need to travel to specialist doctors, which can often be miles from their homes, eating into their allocated mileage.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Sara said: “Nowhere locally to me actually has a neurology physio or anything like that. I have to go to my hospital in London. That’s over an hour away.
“When you have a disability a lot of the specialised hospitals aren’t right on your doorstep so you have that additional distance as well… People with disabilities often have to drive further to even go on holiday for example, to go further to find accessible accommodation.”
Extra charges for exceeding limit
Under the changes, disabled drivers who exceed the limit will be charged 25p per extra mile. This could add up quickly, with Essex-based Sara likely to pay £10 extra for the 41-mile trip to London. She stressed the new rules could discourage many Motability customers from travelling long distances for fear of breaching the threshold, with many likely to skip holidays or trips to see family.
Sara is one of 100,000 members using Purpl to help offset some of the additional costs associated with disability. She told Express.co.uk: “Even if they reviewed it, if your hospital appointments are a bit further away and they didn't take that into consideration. I think the newer cap is too low to be able to just live your life. You might be able to go to hospital but then you won't have enough mileage to do things that other people might do, like going on holiday.”
Motability defends changes
Motability has previously said mileage is one of the biggest factors in the cost of running the Scheme, with cuts designed to keep it affordable and protect the programme for years to come. A spokesperson from Motability Operations, which runs the Motability Scheme, noted that 3 in every 4 customers were already travelling under the new 10,000-mile limit.
In a statement to Express.co.uk, they said: “In July, new UK government taxes applied to the Motability Scheme which would have added £1,100 to the average lease. We know this would have been unaffordable for the majority of disabled people who rely on our service so we have changed the Scheme to reduce the impact on customers.
“Reducing the mileage allowance for new leases lowers insurance and maintenance costs and increases vehicle resale values, which reduces the cost of a lease. Around 3 in 4 people who use the Scheme travel within the new allowance of 10,000 miles a year and we’re providing support for people who need to travel more due to healthcare, education and work.”
