Can I get a car using my
benefits?
Buying and adapting a car
can be expensive. The Motability Scheme - run by the independent not-for-profit
organisation, gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease
a car at an affordable price.
The Scheme is open to anyone who receives
one of the following benefits, and has at least 12 months' award length
remaining when they apply:
No waiting lists, credit checks or medical
assessments are required.
You don't need to drive but can nominate up
to two friends or relatives as drivers instead. Parents and carers can also
apply on behalf of a child.
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 higher rate mobility component
of Disability Living Allowance.
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 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.
Motability also offers a hire purchase
scheme for powered wheelchairs or scooters.
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. You can find out more about VAT reliefs for disabled people on the HM
Revenue & Customs website www.hmrc.gov.uk If you cannot find the answer to your
questions there, you can call their Charities Helpline, which covers VAT
relief’s for disabled people on 0845 302 02 03
To find out more about the Motability
Scheme, contact Motability on the numbers below, or visit their website www.motability.co.uk
Telephone: 0845 456 4566
Minicom: 0845 675 0009
We're open
from 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, write to them at:
Motability Operations
City Gate House
22 Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HB
Tel: 0845 456 4566