Motability car scheme explained

The Motability scheme gives people with disabilities the chance to use their government-funded disability benefit to lease a new car and other mobility aids, such as scooters and electrically powered wheelchairs.

In this guide we explain who is eligible for the Motability scheme, which cars are available and the special adaptations that can be made.

Who qualifies for the Motability scheme?

The Motability scheme allows people who receive a qualifying mobility allowance to exchange all or part of it for a lease on a vehicle of their choice, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. You have to have at least 12 months left on your allowance to be eligible.

To be eligible, you must be in receipt of one of the following mobility benefits.

• Higher rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
• Enhanced rate mobility part of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) (Scotland only)
• Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (CDP) (Scotland only)

Who is allowed to drive a Motability car?

Provided the vehicle is used for your benefit (for example, for shopping or other essential or routine journeys), it can be used by up to three named drivers, whether that's friends, family or carers. The person leasing the car doesn’t necessarily need to be in the vehicle at all, as long as they benefit from it.

Typically, named drivers will reside in the same household as the disabled customer. If they don't, Motability may require a location tracker to be fitted to ensure the person who qualifies for the scheme really is benefiting from the car.

Only one driver under the age of 21 is permitted (who must live at the same address as the person leasing the car), and all drivers 25 and under will only be allowed to drive cars falling into insurance group 16 or lower that have no more than 120hp (21 and lower and no more than 140hp for EVs), limiting the choice of models available. There are no power limits for younger drivers of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

All drivers will need to hold a legally valid UK or EU driving licence, applicable for the type of vehicle being leased. Other licence holders aren’t necessarily excluded, but further checks will apply.

Any serious driving endorsements, convictions or disqualifications in the past five years may also disqualify you from the scheme. For more information, check Direct Line Motability insurance, which covers vehicles used under the scheme.

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What vehicles are available on Motability?

The scheme offers a wide range of cars, from city cars and small hatchbacks to large family models and MPVs.

However, most models are subject to a one-off advance payment, as the mobility allowance doesn't entirely cover their cost. The more expensive a car is to buy, the more expensive the payment will be.

Some small cars, MPVs and SUVs are exempt from advance payments.

Volkswagen Motability

Volkswagen is the UK's bestselling car brand and several of its models are available through the Motability scheme.

Plenty of SUV models, such as the Tayron and ID.5, are available.

You can also choose from models such as the electric ID.3 model, the Golf hatchback and the Caddy Maxi MPV. All of Volkswagen’s Motability models take up the entire mobility allowance, and most require a sizeable advance payment.

Ford Motability

As one of the nation’s longest-established car brands, Ford has a strong offering of Motability-scheme cars, from the immensely popular Ford Puma small SUV to the larger Ford Kuga. The brand also offers the Ford Capri and Ford Explorer electric SUVs, as well as the Tourneo Connect and Tourneo Courier, which are suitable for a wide range of mobility adaptations.

Find out how dependable Ford models are – we reveal the most reliable car brands

Kia Motability

Five of Kia's models are included in the Motability scheme. These are the Stonic SUV and the larger Sportage The brand's EV2 electric SUV is also offered, along with the Picanto city car and the PV5 MPV.

How has the Motability scheme changed?

In 2025, several changes were announced to the Motability scheme to reduce costs for the government and Motability.

These changes apply to orders placed from 1 July 2026.

You now have to pay VAT and insurance premium tax on all new vehicles ordered through the scheme.

All Motability cars now have a 10,000 mile annual mileage limit, compared to the previous 20,000 mile limit. If you drive more than 10,000 miles in a year, you have to pay a 21-25p excess mileage fee (this depends on how you lease your car), including VAT, at the end of your lease. This figure was previously 5p per mile.

Drivers can now replace two tyres per year (equating to six over a three-year lease), down from the previous limit of eight. Four of these can now be replaced as a result of damage, instead of six. You have to pay for any additional tyres that need replacing, along with any tyre repairs.

If you drive outside the UK, you now have to pay £22 to get the necessary document to take your car outside of the UK. This document lasts for 12 months and must then be renewed for another £22. Previously, drivers didn’t have to pay for this form. If you live in Northern Ireland, you don’t need to pay this fee when driving to the Republic of Ireland.

Also, cars from certain luxury brands such as BMW and Lexus were removed from the scheme in 2025 to focus on offering better-value cars with lower running costs.

Motability also made it much harder for existing customers to extend their lease periods from December 2025, and this can now only be allowed for up to six months, compared to the previous two-year period.

From 13 April 2026, Motability mandated the fitting of trackers to all first-time customers in order to monitor their driving. However, this was paused on 14 May 2026 in response to criticism of the app that’s linked to the tracker system.

How do I know if a Motability car is suitable for me?

If you need room for a wheelchair or other necessities, space and practicality are likely to be some of the most important things to consider when choosing a Motability car.

Each of our car reviews features detailed measurements of passenger and luggage space, as well as important usability information, such as visibility from the driver’s seat, so you can quickly narrow down a suitable model. 

Think about whether you need a car with an automatic gearbox or a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric car, as most steering and throttle adaptations will only work with automatic cars. This needn’t limit your choice, as vehicles across the price spectrum are available with automatic transmissions of different types, although some are smoother and more responsive than others.

Also consider any convenience extras you might like, such as adaptive cruise control or a 360-degree camera system. It’s worth taking an extended test drive to ensure the model you're considering will really meet your needs.

The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC), which was founded by Which?, has produced a free-to-use car search tool to help you find an appropriate car for your needs. RiDC also has guides on how to choose a Motability car and specialised car controls.

Where can I find a Motability dealer?

There are more than 4,500 Motability-approved dealerships in the UK, and you can use the Motability car dealer finder to locate those nearest to you. Some dealers offer home visits, while others will help you with transport to and from the showroom.

Adapting Motability cars

The Motability scheme offers hundreds of different vehicle adaptations to tailor your new car to your needs. The following are just some of the features available:

• mechanical hand controls
• steering aids
• permanent and wheelchair swivel seats
• left-foot accelerators and other pedal modifications
• remote control of certain functions
• wheelchair stowage (rooftop and in-car systems)
• person hoists
• pedal guards

Many alterations are available at no additional cost, and you can even transfer some adaptations between vehicles within the scheme.

A lot of more common adaptations are available free when you order your car, but you can see a full list of suppliers (and prices) on the Motability website. Not all adaptations will be suitable on all cars offered.

Got a Motability car in mind but want to know whether it’s any good? Head to our car reviews for a definitive verdict, including unique reliability and fuel economy data.

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