You can no longer get premium cars on Motability – how does this affect drivers with disabilities?

For more than 30 years, the Motability scheme has been a lifeline for around 815,000 people, helping those on mobility allowances – such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – lease a car, scooter, or powered wheelchair. But with proposed cuts looming, the future of this vital support hangs in the balance.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly planning cuts to the Motability scheme, aiming to save around £1bn a year. The changes could limit access for some people with disabilities and remove tax breaks.

Motability Operations – the company behind the Motability scheme – has now confirmed that luxury brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are being removed from its line-up with immediate effect.

In place of these premium options, the scheme plans to shift its focus toward British-built cars. Motability has pledged that by 2035, half of all cars on the scheme will be made in the UK.

Drivers with disabilities can expect to see more models from brands such as Nissan, Mini and Toyota, along with van-based MPVs from Vauxhall. The Nissan Juke, built in Sunderland, is already one of the scheme’s most popular choices.

Motability Operations CEO Andrew Miller said the move will “do even more to support the economy”, adding that the organisation’s commitment “should put British car manufacturing into top gear.”

While the government frames these changes as cost-saving measures, the impact on disabled individuals could be profound. Here’s what could be at stake, and the reaction of disabled drivers in our exclusive survey via Purpl, a discount site for people with disabilities.

You can check out the best motability cars right here on Carwow. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

What is the Motability scheme and what changes could we see?

The Motability scheme is a charity programme that helps people with disabilities get around more easily. It lets you exchange your mobility allowance for a brand-new car, powered wheelchair, or scooter. The scheme takes care of the tricky stuff: insurance, servicing, and repairs are all included in one simple package, and it can be tailored to meet your individual needs.

To qualify, you need to be receiving a mobility allowance that’s expected to last at least 12 months, such as the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the enhanced rate of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The scheme is supported by government funding through these allowances, which effectively subsidises your lease, making it more affordable.

The Chancellor is considering removing certain tax breaks, including the exemption that currently allows cars leased under the scheme to be free from VAT and insurance premium tax.

What our research found

Our survey of 500 disabled drivers shows that not all of them are benefiting from a Motability vehicle. Some 32% believed they were not eligible while 8% preferred not to say or were unsure. A huge 41% thought they were eligible for the scheme but do not currently have a car through it.

Purpl’s founder, Georgina Colman, said that drivers may either believe they don’t meet criteria or wrongly assume the scheme only offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs). Some may only explore it when they see another disabled driver driving a “normal” car through the scheme and realise that option exists.

“For thousands of disabled people, the Motability scheme isn’t a perk; it’s a lifeline to work, healthcare and independence,” Colman added. “Tightening tax breaks or restricting vehicle access may save money in the short term, but the real cost could be far greater: lost jobs, missed appointments and deeper isolation.”

Why the motability scheme matters

For many people with disabilities, Motability provides the only practical way to travel independently. That’s because public transport often falls short, with broken pavements, inaccessible vehicles, and limited service options making everyday journeys difficult or impossible.

Emma Vogelmann, co-chief executive of Transport for All, warns that scaling back the scheme could “lock [disabled people] away from daily life,” forcing them to rely on less suitable transport, limiting access to work or appointments, and reducing participation in community life.

Meanwhile, charity Scope warned that the changes could “heap extra costs onto disabled people all over Britain.” They also cautioned that restricting eligibility to Motability could hit people with disabilities on lower incomes especially hard.

Our survey showed how Motability is greatly valued by its customers. One said: “I think Motability is incredible, I would really struggle if I didn’t have this option.” Another told us: “I feel extremely lucky to be able to have a car and any adaptations I can get with Motability – this is my freedom and without them I wouldn’t have it.”

Motability is also far more than a car leasing service – it’s a tool for empowerment. It allows people to maintain employment, access education and training, connect with family and friends, and participate fully in society.

Reliable transport also supports health and wellbeing, making it easier for people with disabilities to attend medical appointments, therapy sessions, and support services, while helping to tackle social isolation.

The scheme also allows vehicles to be adapted with hand controls, wheelchair access, or modified seating, ensuring safety, comfort, and independence. Financial support through PIP, plus VAT and insurance exemptions, makes these adaptations affordable too.

Beyond practicality, the scheme offers dignity and choice. Participants can select vehicles that suit their needs and lifestyle: from fully adapted models to environmentally friendly options.

A spokesperson at Purpl echoed this: “Disabled people choose vehicles based on accessibility, not preference, because the right car can be the difference between independence and isolation.

“If VAT changes make the scheme more expensive, many will be forced to opt out and buy privately just to make their mobility allowance stretch further. But that completely undermines the purpose of Motability – which was created to make accessible, adapted vehicles affordable and stress-free, without the financial or logistical burden of ownership.”

So, cuts to the Motability scheme would ripple far beyond the loss of a car. They threaten independence, social inclusion, and the very ability to participate in everyday life. For many people with disabilities, losing this support isn’t just inconvenient… it’s life-altering.

Criticisms of the Motability scheme

The Motability scheme has recently come under scrutiny, with some critics arguing it’s being misused.

At the Conservative Party conference, Kemi Badenoch said the vehicles “are not for people with ADHD,” highlighting concerns that some benefits and cars are being claimed by people without the severe disabilities the scheme was designed to support.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately also claims that online TikTok videos have appeared showing how some individuals try to claim free cars, with some even paying for services to boost their chances of success.

Reform UK echoed these concerns, with policy head Zia Yusuf saying spending on the scheme has “spiralled out of control.” He’s also called for targeted support for those with genuine, life-limiting disabilities.

The former head of Motability at the Department for Work and Pensions, Matt Ryder, has also called on the Chancellor to reassess whether the subsidies given to the scheme are “giving genuine value for money”.

However, many of the disabled drivers in our survey would like to see the scheme go further rather than having its scope reduced. “The advance payments on the cars that would benefit me are barely affordable,” one driver told us. Another said: “I just want to drive again but Motability doesn’t cater to my needs in my price range at all.”

We also heard from drivers who struggle with the extra cost of an automatic gearbox and drivers of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) who find it hard to arrange a suitable hire car if their WAV is being repaired.

Carwow also supports people with disabilities

In June, we announced a partnership with Purpl, a membership scheme that supports people with disabilities by offering exclusive discounts and deals. And as part of this partnership, Purpl members can receive £115 in Amazon vouchers when they sell their car through Carwow’s ‘Sell My Car’ platform.

This is an important venture for us because selling a car should be simple and stress-free for everyone, including the most vulnerable. “We understand the independence that driving can bring, and we’re glad to give Purpl members an additional boost to their everyday budgets,” said Ben Carter, chief commercial officer at Carwow.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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