I’m wondering the advantages and disadvantages of using the motorobility scheme?

Ineedhelp64

I’m wondering the advantages and disadvantages of using the motorobility scheme if I get high rate mobility when my claim is assessed.

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Ineedhelp64 and welcome to the community. Thanks for joining and for your query. 

I wonder if you can tell me, how are you planning on taking up the scheme if you get the higher rate? To lease a car, WAV, or wheelchair? Do you have any concerns about Motability, or anything holding you back?

As a user of the Motability scheme myself, I can say that without it I wouldn't be able to afford an adapted car, which is vital for my independence. Before I started working from home it was also vital in helping me commute to and from work. 

To help our members find your query more easily, I've put it into our Housing, Transport and Independent Living category.

If we can help any further, please do let us know

Alex

Ineedhelp64

Hi Alex,
I am hoping to lease a car which my husband could also drive me in.
iI need to know any disadvantages in doing this please? 

Alex_Alumni

Hi @Ineedhelp64 do you mean if that car was the only car between the two of you? 

I believe you can read more about named drivers on the Motability website, but here is the key information as I understand it:

Remember, the car must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person. This does not mean that the disabled person needs to be in the car for every journey. In practice, this means other named drivers in the household can use the car for shopping and other routine activities, as long as the disabled person will benefit. 

I'm not 100% sure if all adaptions can be swapped out to suit a driver who doesn't need them, but I use a left foot accelerator which can be flipped up and replaced with the standard pedal. 

Is there anything you're sure unsure of, or anything I've missed that would be useful to know more about?

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

I don't make use of the scheme but would note the car is only available while you get enhanced mobility so if you like your award you lose the car 

You could possibly buy a car cheaper especially if it doesn't need adaptions using the money from your PIP award 

Car has limited mileage if leased and needs to be in decent state when returned 

There is advanced payment with most of the available cars

Advantages it's covered for insurance and service and repairs 

poppy123456

I've been with motability since 2016 and coming towards the end of my 2nd car. To be honest i find it amazing, worry free motoring at it's best and all you pay for is your fuel.

Yes it has a maximum mileage for the time of your lease and for 3 years it's 60,000 miles, so i wouldn't exactly call that "limited mileage." I only just do a little more than 20,000 miles over the entire 3 year lease.

You do get a good condition bonus when you return the car if you've looked after it but they do allow some scratches and allow for general wear and tear. When i returned my first car it had some scratches on the handles, 3 alloys were a little scratched too. There was a small dent on the one side, which i did report to RSA insurance and was told because it was only small i didn't need repairing and wouldn't affect my good condition bonus. True to their word, less than 2 weeks after i returned the car i had my £500 bonus.

The downside at the moment is that new cars have long waiting lists.. most of them because of the pandemic. Advance payments have increased rather a lot in the past few years too. Although there are some cars that don't have advance payments, it really depends what spec you want. The higher the spec the more the AP.

The other downside is if you lose the Enhanced mobility at review you lose the car. You also need to have at least 12 months remaining on your award to be able to order a vehicle.

There's lots of information on thier website, linked about which you should read if you do get awarded Enhanced mobility.