The Motability Scheme delivered its first vehicles to customers in July 1978 and since then, over five and a half million cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs have been provided to help disabled people with their mobility needs.
Before the Motability Scheme was established
In the mid-1970s only disabled people who could drive themselves received any government help with transport, usually in the form of a small, blue trike which was unable to take passengers.
As a result, many disabled people were housebound for long periods and dependent on others for their mobility.
Introduction of the new Mobility Allowance
In 1976, the government introduced the Mobility Allowance to help disabled people choose and pay for their own transport.
However, it soon became clear that the allowance wasn’t enough to buy a car.
And so Motability was born in 1977.
The charity was founded to create a car leasing scheme that could offer disabled people the best value for money, give advice on suitable cars and adaptations, and make any adaptations needed.
Anyone who couldn’t afford a car through the Motability Scheme could also apply to us for a grant to make up the difference.
Since then, we’re proud that the Motability Scheme has supplied more than 5.5 million cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs to disabled people across the UK, supported by thousands of grants from our charity every year.
We are now known as Motability Foundation.
Every day we continue to expand our work, both with and for disabled people, focusing on the ongoing changes needed across different types of transport to make all journeys accessible.
The same founding principles underpin our current strategy:
- Solutions that meet the needs of disabled people;
- Providing the highest standard of service;
- The best possible value for money; and
- Financial sustainability for the long term.
Our key moments
The Motability Foundation, has helped disabled people to make journeys for almost 50 years. And we're determined to do even more. Our oversight of the Motability Scheme, together with our research and innovation, means that we will continue to work towards making transport more accessible for disabled people for years to come.
Here are just some of our highlights:
- 1977 - Motability Foundation is established to help disabled people to get an affordable car using their Mobility Allowance.
- 1978 - 10 disabled people receive the keys for the first vehicles delivered on the Motability Scheme.
- 1979 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes our Chief Patron.
- 1990/1991 - The first time we gave over £1 million in grants in a single year.
- 1998 - One million vehicles.
- 2006 - We celebrate two million vehicles delivered for disabled people and their families.
- 2011 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II joins us to honour UK Paralympians and celebrate the three millionth vehicle.
- 2013 - The first fully electric vehicle is available to lease from the Motability Scheme.
- 2017 - We reach our 40th anniversary and 4.5 million vehicles.
- 2022 - Sponsored by Motability Foundation and the UK Government Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), the new, world-leading BSI standard for accessible electric vehicle charging is launched.
- 2022 - 45 years of Motability Foundation. 5.5 million vehicles on the road since we started, thousands of grants given and six new grants to charities and organisations just launched. Continuing to support disabled people to make the journeys they choose now and in the future.
- 2024 - His Majesty King Charles III becomes our Chief Patron.