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The Motability Scheme
Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Motability Scheme - run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability - gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price.
How the scheme works
The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing or buying a car if you're getting the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Even if you don't drive, you can apply for a car as a passenger and propose two other people as your drivers.
You can also apply for a car on behalf of a child aged three or over, who is entitled to the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.
Contract hire
Through the contract hire scheme you can lease a new car supplied by a Motability Accredited dealer for at least three years. Comprehensive insurance, routine servicing and breakdown assistance are included. You will need to pay for the fitting and removal of any adaptations.
You can apply if you have 12 months or more of your Disability Living Allowance 'award' remaining. If your award is not renewed during the full length of your chosen scheme, your car will need to be returned.
At the end of the period, the car is returned to Motability Operations who operate the car schemes under contract to Motability.
Hire purchase
Hire purchase enables you to buy the car you want and this can be a new or used car. You are responsible for negotiating the purchase price of the car with the dealer and arranging insurance cover. At the end of the hire purchase agreement - which can be between two to five years - you will own the car.
Powered wheelchairs or scooters
Motability also offers a hire purchase scheme for powered wheelchairs or scooters.
Financial help and VAT relief
If money is a problem when financing the car or adaptations, Motability may be able to provide a grant through their own charitable fund or the Specialised Vehicle Funds, which they administer for the government.
Disabled people don't have to pay VAT on the cost of hiring a car through the Motability Scheme. The cost of any work involved in adapting a vehicle for a disabled person is also eligible for VAT relief.
To find out more about the Motability Scheme, contact Motability on the numbers below, or visit their website.
Telephone: 0845 4564 566
Textphone: 01279 632 273
Or visit the Motability website
This page is also aimed at those who are looking for motorbility and motobility.
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