MOTABILITY FAQ

Got Questions on Motability? we are here to help

  • What is Motability?
  • Am I eligible for the Motability scheme?
  • Is servicing or insurance included?
  • Can I cancel my agreement?
  • Where can I find car prices?
  • What do I need to do before I handback my vehicle?
  • Can I get help towards the financial cost of my car?
  • Can I buy my car at the end of my agreement?
  • Who can I put on my insurance?
  • How do I apply for a car?
  • What is the Good Condition Bonus?
  • If I am over 65 can I still join the scheme?
  • How much money does Motability take weekly?
  • What if I need an adaptation to the vehicle?
  • What is the availability of the exact vehicle I require?
  • Where can I obtain a vehicle brochure from?
  • How long do I have to keep the car for?
  • Is there a Mileage Limitation?

What is Motability?

Motability is a not-for-profit organisation created by the Government in 1977. It offers disabled people and war pensioners the opportunity to use their mobility allowance to finance a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. In the UK, half a million people are already part of the scheme.

Am I eligible for the Motability scheme?

If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, then you could be receiving a new car every three years. Through Motability, you simply turn part or all of that allowance into the car of your choice with Henrys.

Around two-thirds of Motability customers drive, but non-drivers can also receive a car as a passenger. Similarly, parents and carers can also apply on behalf of a child, with a disability, aged three and over. For further details on Motability you can visit their site at www.motability.co.uk

If you would like assistance checking whether you are eligible for either the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, you should contact one of the following agencies:

For enquiries about the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), please contact Disability & Carers Service on 0845 712 3456 or visit the DirectGov Website.

For enquiries about the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS), please contact Service Personnel & Veterans Agency on 0800 169 2277 or visit the Veterans UK Website.

Is servicing or insurance included?

With Motability everything is taken care of so you can enjoy the freedom to drive. By choosing the Contract Hire option, you receive:

  • A new car of your choice every 3 years
  • Insurance and personal accident cover
  • Servicing and maintenance
  • Full breakdown assistance from RAC
  • Replacement tyres
  • Window or windscreen replacement at no extra cost

Some customers may prefer to buy their own car, in which case the Motability Hire Purchase scheme might be for you. If you choose Hire Purchase, you negotiate the actual purchase price with your Motability Specialist at Henrys. With Hire Purchase, you will also be responsible for organising and paying for comprehensive insurance, breakdown recovery, your car tax disc, servicing and repairs.

Can I Cancel my Agreement?

Contract Hire Agreements

If there are extenuating circumstances or you have a valid reason for ending the agreement early, please contact the Motability Customer Services Helpline on 0845 456 4566 to discuss. Any successful request to cancel an agreement early is subject to an administration fee.

Hire Purchase Agreements

A Hire Purchase agreement cannot be cancelled, but can be settled by paying the remaining amount owed. An agreement can also be transferred onto another car on Hire Purchase by performing a 'Contra', which is similar to a part exchange. However, this is not always a financially viable option because the value of the car may be less than the outstanding finance. To arrange this, an agreement must be made with a Motability Accredited Dealer. Any other requests to cancel a Hire Purchase agreement must be put in writing to Motability Operations.

If you want to pay off your Hire Purchase Agreement early, call Customer Services on 0845 456 4566 to request a settlement figure, they will advise you of the amount owing and post confirmation. Payment can then be made and ownership of the car will pass to you.

Where can I find car prices?

You can find prices for all the eligible Henrys Motability cars on our Motability Deals page.

What do I need to do before I handback my vehicle?

Over the course of your three year agreement, we know that your car will show some signs of use - light scuffing, scratching, stone chipping or similar signs of general use. We want you to enjoy using your car and make the most of your mobility and so your Motability car comes with a "fair wear and tear policy". This means that wear and tear in line with a three year old car or unavoidable minor damage caused by a wheelchair or other mobility aid will be accepted as general wear and tear. Such general wear does not need to be repaired before returning your car at the end of the contract.

If you are in any doubt about the level of repair required, please contact RSA Motability on 0500 37 37 37. Please note that to protect the Scheme for all our customers, cars that are returned seriously damaged to a degree which may affect re-sale value will be subject to damage payments.

If you do not make any insurance claims during your three years on the Scheme and you return your car in good condition at the end of your lease, you may be eligible for a £200 bonus.

Can I get help towards the financial cost of my car?

It may be possible for Motability to offer financial assistance towards the cost of the advance payment or adaptations. If you are interested in this, please contact Customer Services on 0845 456 4566 to discuss.

Please note that any application will be means tested, and Motability will not fund 100% of the solution.

Who can I put on my insurance?

The Contract Hire Scheme includes insurance for up to two permitted drivers, these can be yourself, friends, relatives or carers. You can also propose a third driver at additional cost. RSA Motability must be informed of and agree to provide cover for all drivers and these must be shown as 'permitted drivers' on the certificate of motor insurance.

Please note that all drivers must meet the scheme eligibility criteria both at application and throughout the life of the policy.

For further details of these, please call RSA Motability on 0500 37 37 37.

How do I apply for a car?

Talk to us here at Henrys! You can meet our Motability specialists at Henrys Škoda and book a test drive to try out all the latest vehicles you are interested in.

Once you have chosen a car, Henrys will complete the application for you online at the dealership. You will need to provide your Certificate of Entitlement, a recent utility bill, and the driving licences of any drivers to be insured. At the same time, we will also arrange your servicing and maintenance during your lease.

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What is the Good Condition Bonus?

The Good Condition Bonus is a sum of money awarded to customers who have not made any 'at fault' claims during the agreement and who hand the car back in good condition at the end of the contract. The bonus is generated automatically and will be sent approximately 14 days after the return of the car.

Conditions apply for lease extensions and terminations. All decisions are made at the discretion of Motability Operations.

NB: Windscreen claims made through Autoglass will generally not be counted as 'at fault' claims.

If I am over 65 can I still join the scheme?

If you are awarded either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement before the age of 65, then you are eligible for the Scheme after you turn 65. Please note that for a Contract Hire Agreement you must have at least 12 months of the allowance remaining. For the Hire Purchase Scheme, the allowance must last for the full length of the agreement.

How much money does Motability take weekly?

Over 4,000 cars are available on the Contract Hire Scheme simply by exchanging all or part of your Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement.

We currently have several cars with a ‘no advance payment’. However, depending on your personal mobility needs, you may need to consider a car that requires an advance payment.

We're dedicated to providing affordable motoring solutions for all of our customers. Don't forget, when you lease a car with Motability, insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and maintenance, tyre and windscreen replacement are all included in the Contract Hire package. All you need to pay for is fuel and oil.

What if I need an adaptation to the vehicle?

If you do not have a car because you think the standard production model would not be suitable, or you have a car and:

  • Have problems getting in or out
  • Find it difficult lifting a wheelchair/scooter in or out
  • Find the steering too heavy or the car difficult to manoeuvre
  • Find the controls difficult to operate
  • Find you are cannot use your feet to operate the brake, clutch or accelerator
  • Find the pedals are not in the most suitable position
  • Find the handbrake difficult to release

These are some of the most common problems our Motability customers experience. We have a vast experience of Motability and related issues, such as, the wide range of adaptations available. With the right adaptation we could solve your problems, making your day to day motoring so much more enjoyable.

We work with local adaptation specialists to make sure you get the correct advice and adaptation(s)* to meet your exact requirements. (Advice is offered with no obligation.)

If your requirements are more complex or you are not sure what you need there are assessment centres around the country who offer full assessments (there is a charge for this service). You can even get driving lessons/refresher courses for adapted vehicles to help you gain confidence (again at additional cost).

Call in or give any of our Motability Specialists a call if you need advice.

Have a look at our adaptations page to see some examples of what is possible.

*Adaptations are at extra cost. However, Motability do offer many at a reduced or zero cost. Prices subject to change. Please ask for details.

What is the availability of the exact vehicle I require?

The time taken to get a new car can vary; please ask Henrys the expected delivery time when ordering your car, and remain in contact with them until the collection date. If you currently have a car on the Motability Scheme, you will not be able to collect your new car until on or after the end date of your current agreement.

Where can I obtain a vehicle brochure from?

Please view the Motability Deals section of this website or contact one of our Motability specialists for more information on a particular vehicle.

How long do I have to keep the car for?

The length of the agreement is three years.

Is there a mileage limitation?

Currently, the mileage limit for a three year agreement is 60,000 miles.