Understanding Motability

A car is not a luxury item, but an intrinsic part of everyone’s life - providing the essential freedom of independence that allows you to go where you want, when you want.

This is particularly true for anyone with a disability who may find it difficult, if not impossible, to use Public Transport – even where that is available. And in the current economic climate, with services often being reduced or even cancelled altogether, then having access to a car becomes ever more important.

Recognising the vital contribution that a car makes to enhancing the lives of those with a disability, the Motability charity has a long-established Car Scheme which enables disabled people to use part, or all, of their disability allowance to lease a brand new car

The whole process of leasing a car through Motability could not be easier – there are no waiting lists, no credit checks or assessment procedures to go through. You do not even have to have a licence, as you can nominate two drivers – perhaps a relative or friend – while parents or carers can apply on behalf of a child aged 3 years or more.

Do you qualify for the Motability Car Scheme?

If you – or the person you care for - receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, then the answer is YES!

For more information see the Eligibility tab.

Not receiving a mobility allowance?

If you are not sure if you, or the person you care for, qualify for either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners, then contact the following organisations:

Pensions, Disability & Carers Service

Tel: 08457 123456

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

Tel: 0800 169 2277

Like some advice?

We are here to help: if you cannot find the answers to your questions on this website, then your first step should be to call the Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre Tel: FREE 0800 731 5267 where all the staff are fully trained in all aspects of the Motability scheme.

 

Or 

Contact your nearest Vauxhall retailer. They will have staff with specialist knowledge not only of the Motability scheme, but also of any adaptations or modifications you may need. Often, they will be able to visit you at your home, and provide a test drive.

This scheme – also known as contract hire – is extremely easy to take out, and offers you the very real advantage of completely worry-free motoring, with no unexpected bills. All you have to do is to pay an Advance Payment (if applicable) and then pay for your fuel, everything else is taken care of for you. The most difficult part of the whole process is deciding which new Vauxhall you would like, there is so much choice!

Contract Hire

As the name suggests, the vehicle never becomes your property: you agree to lease it over a three-year period. When that time has passed, you just hand it back to your retailer (no need to arrange a part-exchange or ‘haggle’ for a new deal), and start again with another brand new car, and a new contract.

Who pays?

Choose a car with Nil Advance Payment, and your mobility allowance is then assigned to Motability – and they meet all the bills from these payments. That’s why there are no credit checks or assessments required.

If an Advance Payment is required - and many Vauxhall cars are available without - then you must fund this sum yourself (to be a single payment paid to the supplying retailer).

Why do some cars require an Advance Payment?

For larger or more expensive vehicles, your mobility allowance may not be sufficient to cover the cost of the three-year Contract Hire period. In these cases, an Advance Payment would be required to make up the difference – taking into account not only any additional cost in the purchase price, but also running costs and the likely depreciation. An Advance Payment is non-refundable.

Can I choose any options?

Vauxhall provides two-coat metallic or pearlescent paint plus front and rear parking distance sensors, where available, free of charge to Motability customers.

Motability customers can purchase any other options directly from their Vauxhall retailer once approved by Motability Operations.

What about the running costs?

You just have to put the fuel in the tank; everything else is taken care of on your behalf, including:

• Insurance
• Servicing and maintenance
• Vehicle Excise Duty (the annual tax disc)
• Replacement tyres
  
• Full RAC breakdown assistance
• Many adaptations at no extra cost
• Replacement glass, should you suffer a broken windscreen or window

 

The only exception is if you exceed 60,000 miles during the three years in which you have the car: then you will be charged 5 pence per mile (inc. VAT) for every mile over that limit.

It is quite possible that your car could be adapted to better suit your needs – for example, to make driving safer and more comfortable, or for making entry and exit easier. There are a number of options available, many at no extra cost, that could improve your motoring experience, including adaptations to help with:

 

• Speed and steering
• Signalling and safety
• Stowage
• Seating and access

 

Our Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre has a comprehensive list of Motability Accredited Adaptation Companies – call us FREE on 0800 731 5267 for more details.

We also recommend having a consultation at an independent Mobility Assessment Centre. These centres are staffed by occupational therapists and technical specialists who will advise you exactly which vehicles and adaptations are right for you and your drivers/passengers. You will be able to test drive a Vauxhall Motability vehicle at all Motability Assessment Centres. There are 17 Mobility Assessment Centres nationwide.

You can ask your Vauxhall Motability retailer to organise many adaptations through the Motability Managed Adaptations Programme (MMAP), some of which are available at no extra cost.

However, if MMAP cannot help, or you need to add adaptations during your lease, you can contact any Motability-accredited adaptation installer to add an approved adaptation to your car – though you will need to pay the cost yourself. Make sure you contact both Motability Operations and RSA Motability (RSAM) first, to ensure your insurance covers this.

Ordering adaptations through the Motability Managed Adaptations Programme

If you order adaptations through the MMAP at the same time as your car, your retailer will handle all the liaison and installation for you.

To take advantage of the Motability Car Scheme, you – or the person you care for - must be currently receiving either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA) or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS).

Do you qualify?

Not sure if you qualify for either of these allowances? Then contact the following organisations:

Pensions, Disability & Carers Service

Tel: 08457 123456

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

Tel: 0800 169 2277

 

Grants line

Tel: 0844 800 0900

Driving licence

If you are not able to drive – either because of your disability or you have never passed the Driving Test - then this is not a problem, as you can nominate up to two drivers, who can be friends or relatives. Parents or carers can apply on behalf of a child aged three or more.

 

Need more help?

Call the FREE Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre: Tel: 0800 731 5267

We get asked a lot of questions about the Vauxhall Motability scheme - the answers to some of the most common ones are shown below. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, don’t worry – just call the Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre on 0800 731 5267 and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

Q. Which companies do you recommend for adaptations?

A. Our Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre has a comprehensive list of Motability Accredited Adaptation Companies – call us on 0800 731 5267 for more details.

Q. Is any financial help available?

A. Motability may be able to offer financial help towards the cost of a suitable car, adaptations, driving lessons or a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. All grants must be arranged before putting in the application for your vehicle. The types of Grant available are:

Charitable Grants: Funding for these come from Motabilty’s fundraising activities and the Motability Tenth Anniversary Trust, to provide help towards:

Advance Payments: on standard production cars.
Adaptations: such as hand controls, swivel seats, wheelchair hoists and other adaptations.
Driving Lessons: if you are a Motability customer aged 16-24, you may be eligible for help towards the cost of driving lessons.

Government Grants: Motability also administers funds on behalf of the Government for people who need a heavily adapted car, often a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

The Specialised Vehicles Fund: for people who need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, either as a driver or passenger

War Pensioners: if you receive the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement and have a Motability car, you may be eligible for a grant from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, based on medical records. If you need a vehicle or adaptations costing more than the standard grants available, and are unable to meet the cost yourself, you can apply to Motability for help but should approach relevant service charities for help first.

Ex-Invalid Vehicle Service Holders: Motability also deals with applications from customers who previously drove a three-wheeled, blue ‘trike’, or other Government vehicle.

For more information, please contact Motability’s Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566.

Q. What rate of allowance I am entitled to?

A. The Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) should have sent you an Award Notice that contains the details of your allowance entitlement. If you haven’t got a copy of this notice, call the DWP on 08457 123 456 and ask them to send you one.

Q. I’m not entitled to the higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance. What do I do now?

A. Don’t worry, we can still help you. Talk to your local Vauxhall Motability retailer and discuss the other ways available to help you purchase the vehicle you want.

Q. Are people over the age of 65 eligible for the Scheme?

A. Yes – if they are already in receipt of either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC of DLA) or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement. Those who do not already receive these allowances are not able to apply for them after the age of 65, but anyone who already has it can join the Scheme regardless of their age.

Q. Is it possible to have a Motability car as well as a Motability powered wheelchair or scooter on the Scheme at the same time?

A. Unfortunately no. The mobility allowance is used to cover the cost of the vehicle and in practical terms the car usually takes the whole allowance – leaving little or nothing to fund a powered wheelchair or scooter as well.

Q. Who is insured to drive a Vauxhall Motability car?

A. Motability customers can nominate two drivers. If the disabled person intends to drive, then they count as one of the permitted drivers. Nominated drivers can be changed during the period of the lease, and a third driver can be added at additional cost. A young driver can be one of the nominated drivers, but there are restrictions on the vehicles that drivers under 25 can drive - and a higher insurance excess will also apply.

Q. Does the disabled person always have to travel in the car?

A. While the car is provided for the benefit of the disabled person, that does not necessarily mean they have to be in the car. For example having a (nominated) carer or friend using the car to do the shopping or run errands is still of great benefit.

Q. How long will my vehicle take to be delivered?

A. Your local retailer will be able to tell you this. If you haven’t spoken to them yet – or don’t know where they are, call the Vauxhall Motability Customer Care Centre (0800 731 5267) and we’ll put you in touch.

Q. Is the exact vehicle I require available?

A. Again, your local retailer will be able to tell you this.

Q. Where can I get a brochure?

A. Contact our Customer Care Centre on 0800 731 5267 and we’ll send you the ones you’re interested in. You can also get all the brochures you want from your local retailer.