Motability Scheme · UK guide

The Motability Scheme — swap your mobility allowance for a car.

Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source Motability Scheme (motability.co.uk) + GOV.UK + Citizens Advice

The Motability Scheme lets you exchange your higher-rate mobility allowance for the lease of a brand-new car, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), a mobility scooter or a powered wheelchair. Your allowance is paid straight to Motability to cover it, and the package includes insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and breakdown cover. You'll need a qualifying allowance — usually with at least 12 months left. SortedUK is independent: this is a plain-English explainer that points you to the official Scheme.

12 monthsAward usually needs to have left
3 yearsTypical car lease (5 for a WAV)
3 driversCan be named on the insurance
From £0Advance Payment on many vehicles
Do I qualify? → PIP guide

Do you qualify?

The Motability Scheme is run by the Motability Foundation (a registered charity), with the vehicles leased by Motability Operations. To join, you must already receive one of these mobility allowances — usually with at least 12 months remaining on the award (check your award letter, or ask the body that pays it):

  • Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — the higher of the two PIP mobility rates.
  • Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  • Enhanced rate mobility part of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) — Scotland.
  • Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (CDP) — Scotland.
  • War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS).
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
Standard-rate PIP mobility does not count

The Scheme accepts only the higher (enhanced) rate of mobility. The standard/lower rate of PIP mobility doesn't qualify, and the daily living parts of PIP don't count towards Motability at all — it's specifically the higher mobility award you exchange.

Attendance Allowance does not qualify

This is the single most common misunderstanding, so it's worth being clear:

Attendance Allowance can't be used for Motability

Attendance Allowance has no mobility component — it only helps with care and supervision needs for people over State Pension age — so there's no mobility allowance to exchange. If Attendance Allowance is your only disability benefit, you can't join the Scheme through it. You'd need a qualifying mobility allowance such as enhanced PIP mobility or higher rate DLA mobility instead.

If you're over State Pension age and think you may have mobility needs, it's still worth checking what you're entitled to — some people are unsure which benefit fits their situation.

What you exchange — and what's included

You don't pay a separate monthly bill. Instead, your weekly mobility allowance is paid directly to Motability to cover the lease. In return, the all-inclusive package covers:

  • Insurance for up to three named drivers.
  • Servicing and maintenance — at set times or mileage points.
  • Tyres and repairs.
  • Breakdown cover — RAC Motability Assist across the UK (and Europe if you ask).
  • MOTs.

Most cars are leased for three years; Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) — and some powered wheelchairs/scooters — are usually leased for five years.

Advance Payments

Some vehicles cost more than your allowance covers, so they need a one-off Advance Payment upfront when you collect the car. Many vehicles have a low Advance Payment, and some are £0 — meaning you lease them using your allowance alone. The exact amount varies by vehicle and is shown when you choose your car.

How to apply

Do this now
Visit the Motability Scheme → 📞 Motability 0800 953 7000

Have ready: your award letter showing the qualifying allowance and how long it has left, and your driving licence (yours or your named drivers').

  1. Check your award qualifies — the right allowance, at the higher mobility rate, usually with at least 12 months left.
  2. Choose a vehicle — browse cars, WAVs, scooters and powered wheelchairs on the Motability Scheme website and check the Advance Payment (many are £0).
  3. Apply through a participating dealership or directly through the Motability Scheme. The dealer handles the order; your allowance is then redirected to Motability.
  4. Collect your vehicle once approved — insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and breakdown are all set up for you.

The honest bits — before you sign

  • You don't own the vehicle. It's a lease (contract hire), so the car is returned at the end of the agreement — you can then apply for a new one if you're still eligible.
  • The disabled person doesn't have to drive. Up to three named drivers can drive the car, as long as it's used for the benefit of the disabled person. A parent, carer or family member can be the driver.
  • If your benefit ends or reduces, you may have to give the car back at the end of the lease — for example after a PIP or DLA reassessment. Motability runs transitional support to help people in that situation, so contact them as soon as you know your award is changing rather than waiting.

Worried about an upcoming reassessment? Sorted's PIP guide and how to challenge a decision can help you keep your award — and your car.

Free UK support

  • Motability Scheme — 0800 953 7000. The official scheme for choosing a vehicle and applying.
  • Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help checking eligibility or sorting out your qualifying benefit.
  • Scope — 0808 800 3333. Disability advice and support.

The Motability Scheme — common questions

Who is eligible for the Motability Scheme?

You qualify if you get enhanced rate PIP mobility, higher rate DLA mobility, enhanced ADP mobility or higher CDP mobility (Scotland), War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, or Armed Forces Independence Payment — usually with at least 12 months left on the award. Only the higher (enhanced) mobility rate counts.

Does Attendance Allowance qualify?

No. Attendance Allowance has no mobility component, so there's nothing to exchange. It only helps with care and supervision needs for people over State Pension age. You'd need a qualifying mobility allowance instead, such as enhanced PIP mobility.

What's included in the lease?

Insurance for up to three named drivers, servicing and maintenance, tyres, repairs, breakdown cover (RAC Motability Assist) and MOTs. Your mobility allowance is paid directly to Motability to cover it. Cars are usually leased for three years; WAVs for five years.

What is an Advance Payment?

Some vehicles cost more than your allowance covers, so they need a one-off upfront Advance Payment. Many vehicles have a low Advance Payment and some are £0, so you can lease them on your allowance alone. The amount varies by vehicle.

Do I own the car, and what if my benefit changes?

You don't own it — it's a lease, returned at the end of the agreement. The disabled person doesn't have to drive (up to three named drivers can). If your qualifying benefit ends or reduces you may have to return the car, though Motability runs transitional support — contact them early.

Sources Qualifying allowances (enhanced PIP mobility, higher rate DLA mobility, enhanced ADP / higher CDP mobility, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, Armed Forces Independence Payment) and the 12-months-remaining rule · Motability Scheme — Allowances and rates. Only the higher (enhanced) rate of PIP mobility qualifies; standard/lower rate and daily living parts do not · Motability Scheme — Which PIP rate do I need. What's included (insurance for three drivers, servicing, tyres, repairs, RAC Motability Assist breakdown, MOTs) · Motability Scheme — What's included. Three-year car lease / five-year WAV lease, contract hire so cars are returned at the end · Motability Scheme. Getting a Motability car, named drivers, what happens if your award changes · Citizens Advice. Attendance Allowance has no mobility component · GOV.UK Attendance Allowance. Helplines: Motability Scheme 0800 953 7000 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · Scope 0808 800 3333. SortedUK is independent and not affiliated with Motability. Last reviewed: 10 June 2026.
Your safest next step today

Check your award letter first — you need enhanced PIP mobility, higher rate DLA mobility, or one of the other qualifying allowances, usually with at least 12 months left. Then browse vehicles at the official Motability Scheme.

PIP eligibility + appeal help Find what else I'm owed Get urgent help

One scan. Every UK money route you may be owed.

Sorted's "What am I missing?" cross-checks PIP, Attendance Allowance, the Blue Badge, vehicle tax exemption and Carer's Allowance.

Find what I'm missing → PIP guide