Cars and Vehicle Adaptations

If the car or adaptations you need through the Motability Scheme cost more than you can afford, we may be able to help.

We can support with the cost of:

the Advance Payment for a car.
a car with adaptations, including hand controls, hoists, or swivel seats.
new adaptations during your lease, if your needs change.

We aim to fund what’s essential to help you make everyday journeys, in the most affordable way possible so that we can maximise the impact of our resources.

All of our applications are means tested to make sure the grant goes to people who are most in need of financial help. If you are eligible for a grant but can pay something towards the cost, we may ask you to do that.

Depending on the solution you need, there may be a range of suitable cars that we can fund, or there may only be one or two. This means that we cannot guarantee that you will get a choice of fuel type or other preferences.

Type: Scheme-related grant

Who can apply

You can only apply if:

you are a disabled person or the appointee for a disabled person on the Motability Scheme, or applying to join.
you have not ordered your vehicle before contacting us.

What the grant covers

the Advance Payment for a car.
adaptations for access, stowage or driving.
adaptations during your lease if your needs have changed.

What the grant does not cover

high-specification or premium cars.
dealer options, unless essential for access or disability need. 
your personal preferences for fuel type or brand.  
a car you have already ordered. 
adaptations for a non-Scheme car.
cars that are not available on the Motability Scheme.
any ongoing or running costs associated with the vehicle such as fuel or electricity.

Common questions:

Can I apply if I’ve already ordered my car? 

No. You must apply and wait for us to confirm whether your application has been successful before placing a car order. 

Which disability benefits do I need to join the Motability Scheme?

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
Armed Forces Independence Payment

Will I be asked to contribute towards the cost of my car and adaptations?

This will depend on your household income and financial circumstances. We will inform you if you need to contribute.

Can I contribute to the cost of a more expensive car than the ones you have listed?

If you choose to make a voluntary contribution towards your Advance Payment grant, there are limits within our policy. Grant applicants can add up to £750 or 50 per cent of the Advance Payment grant, whichever is lower.

Do I need to send medical evidence or an Occupational Therapy (OT) report? 

We might ask for a copy of your OT report, a demonstration report, or a driving assessment. The evidence you need to provide is detailed in the application form. 

What if my needs change during my lease? 

You can apply for adaptations partway through your lease if your current solution no longer works. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

Can I apply again at the end of my lease? 

Yes, especially if your condition has changed or you need a different type of vehicle. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

If your car remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for another two years. 

I sent my application but have not heard anything. What should I do?

If you applied online, you should have got an email straight away to say we’ve received it.

If you posted your form, we’ll aim to contact you within two working days of getting it.

Right now, lots of people are applying for grants. It may take us around four weeks to start looking at your application. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can. Thank you for being patient.

If you think you might be feel you're eligible to apply for a Car or Adaptations Grant, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Get your documents ready

Before you call us, please have the following documents and details to hand:

your qualifying mobility allowance
your National Insurance number
your household income and savings information, including any means tested benefit information
information about your mobility needs, including the mobility equipment you use
any details about driving adaptations you already use (if applicable)

Step 2: Give us a call

Call us on 0800 500 3186, we’re available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

During the call, we’ll:

Check your eligibility.
Explain the next steps.
Support any accessibility needs you may have for completing the application.

Step 3: Complete your application

If you're eligible to apply, we’ll send you a link to our secure online application portal. You will need to fill out the form and upload your documents within 30 days.

Step 4: Contact with your Case Manager

Once your application is submitted and your documents are approved, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Case Manager. They will contact you and may ask for any additional information.

Step 5: Receive a decision

We’ll review your application and notify you of the outcome. You’ll hear from us as soon as a decision has been made.

If your application is not approved

We’ll let you know why. This might be because:

there are suitable vehicles available with a NIL Advance Payment.
your contribution towards the solution shows us you can self-fund a vehicle and adaptations to meet your needs.
we did not get the right documents.

You may be able to apply again later.

If you need support call 0800 500 3186 or visit our Contact us page.

If your application is approved

We'll send you the details of any cars and adaptations that we have agreed in your grant award.
You may then arrange your test drives to select your Motability Scheme car from this list.
Your Motability Car Dealer will assist you in placing your new car application.
The car dealer can help you with any adaptations if applicable.
For adaptations during your lease we will give you the details of a suitable adaptations installer.