Who the Motability Scheme is for
The Motability Scheme supports disabled people, and some of their family members and carers, with worry-free motoring. If you receive one of four qualifying mobility allowances at the higher rate, you may be eligible to lease through the Scheme. That could be a brand-new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair.
The four qualifying allowances are:
Higher rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, our colleagues at your local Vertu dealership can walk you through it, with no pressure to decide anything on the day.
Start with how you’ll actually use the car
Before you look at any brand or badge, start with how the car fits into your life. A few honest questions tend to narrow things down quickly:
How many passengers do you carry regularly? Just you, you plus one, or a family?
Do you have any accessibility needs the car will have to accommodate? That might be a swivel seat, a ramp or hoist for a wheelchair, or a particular door width.
What does a normal week of driving look like? Mostly short local trips, or longer motorway runs? A mix of both?
Is boot space important for things like a mobility scooter, a pushchair, or a weekly shop?
The right car is usually the one that answers those questions most comfortably. The latest technology or the biggest electric range only matters if it earns its keep in your week.
Then think about fuel type
Petrol, diesel, hybrid and fully electric cars are all available on the Scheme. There’s no single right answer, and the best fuel type for you depends on how you drive and where you can park and charge.
Petrol is the simplest option if you don’t drive a huge amount and don’t have easy access to home charging. Fuel is widely available and the cars are straightforward to live with.
Diesel suits higher-mileage drivers who regularly do longer motorway journeys. Fewer models on the Scheme go this way now, but it still makes sense for some drivers.
Hybrid cars, both self-charging and plug-in, are a sensible middle ground, especially if you’d like better fuel economy without changing your routine. Self-charging hybrids don’t need plugging in; plug-in hybrids do, but can run for shorter distances on electric power alone.
Fully electric vehicles (EVs) suit you well if you can charge at home, or at a workplace, and your typical journeys fit comfortably within a single charge. Modern Scheme EVs have real-world ranges that are more than enough for most everyday use, with zero tailpipe emissions whilst driving.
If you’d like to try an EV before committing, our Motability specialists can arrange a test drive. A day out with a potential car is often the quickest way to know whether it fits.
Then come talk to us
Once you’ve a sense of how you’ll use the car and which fuel type suits, the next step is a chat. At your nearest Vertu dealership, our colleagues can walk you through the Scheme at your own pace. That covers eligibility, available models, Advance Payments, and whether to switch to electric or stick with what you already know. There’s no obligation to decide anything on the day.
A test drive, a chat, and a leaflet to take home is a perfectly good first step. If you’d rather browse first, the Vertu Motability Scheme hub lists current offers across the franchises we support, or you can find your nearest Vertu dealership and book an appointment with a Motability specialist.
Independence first
Independence is what the Scheme is really for. Your car has to work for your journey, your family, and your day-to-day life. Everything else – brand, fuel type, who’s new on the Scheme and who’s been there for years – comes after that first point.
If you’re coming to the Scheme for the first time, or thinking about your next lease, our Motability specialists at Vertu are happy to help you find the car that suits. No two customers walk away with the same answer, and that’s exactly how it should be.
- Motability