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Possible breach of Data Protection on Motability scheme
dave215
Member Posts: 1
Hi, I note that DVLA has now changed online info on disabled car tax from disabled to nil in response to possible breach of privacy and Data Protection Act with any member of the public checking if a car is taxed as disabled. I now show an equal concern to a possible privacy DPA breach on any car leased via the Motability scheme. Anyone who goes to[removed by moderator] site and types in a cars registration will soon be able to ascertain whether a car is on the scheme or not as unless the registration shows as being on the scheme it will not continue. This means anyone can check if a car is on the Motability scheme. I realise some people may not mind if this information is public but this is not my point. The point is that it is serious breach of a disabled persons rights and could easily be avoided by using your Motability reference number etc. I would request that anyone with concerns over this contacts Motability as if enough complaints are raised they could insist that [removed by moderator] close this breach of privacy. This is not about how mamy people care if someone knows their car is on the scheme, but protecting the rights of those disabled people who do.
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Senior online community officer
Scope community team
This thread is from multiple years ago, we can't be sure this is still the case. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about
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But as Wilko says, people will guess it's Motability from the age of the car anyway. Not sure how much you know about cars but the age is part of the reg number, currently '70' shows it's from between Sept 2020 to March 2021. Then we will get '21' from March 2021 until Sept 2021. Then '71' from September 2021 and so on...
Thats a massive generalisation is it not @lisathomas50
Most are bought by Motability, businesses or by people that work for that car manufacturer (Ford Privilege for example). Only a tiny percentage of that 1.8 million are private buyers that have often received an inheritance or been saving up for a while.
Your neighbours will be able to guess which of those categories you belong in. Especially if you live in a 'cheaper' area and are clearly seen not travelling to work. Motability cars will also often be larger, higher up, or have some notable 'adaption', unlike business fleet cars or cars that individuals have purchased outright or leased which are generally more basic, cheaper, smaller.
It really doesn't take much to work out who's driving a Motability car...but maybe I'm just more in tune to it as a car guy and I have worked at a couple of dealerships in the past.
Interestingly, I'm getting my first brand new car outside of Motability as I don't qualify for higher Mobility, but got enough backpay from daily living and SDP in order to be able to finance a new car for a few years... In my scenario, I think the resentment will be less if I tell people that it's on Motability!