The semiconductor (or ‘microchip’) shortage continued to impact Motability Scheme customers at the start of 2022. Higher Advance Payment prices, severe vehicle shortages and longer waiting times were a feature of the entire 3-month period, with many Motability Scheme customers taking the opportunity to extend their existing lease rather than order a new vehicle. Russia's invasion of Ukraine towards the end of February piled even more pressure on automakers as they were forced to try and find new suppliers of the wiring harnesses that the country specialises in.
New models that were added to the Motability Scheme in quarter 1 2022 included the new Honda HR-V (priced from £1999), the new DS 4 (£2299), the updated MG ZS EV (£899) and the updated 7 seat Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (£3249).
Vehicles that re-joined the scheme at the start of the new quarter included the Smart fortwo and forfour, the Toyota Corolla and the Suzuki Vitara SUV.
Cars that were no longer available to order were the Audi A1, the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, the MG HS PHEV and the electric Nissan E-NV200.
Throughout January to March many models and some entire manufacturer brands were removed from the scheme list because of production issues.
January 2022 - Cars taken off the Motability Scheme in January included the Mazda MX-30, the Toyota RAV4, the Peugeot Rifter, the Peugeot Traveller, ICE versions of the Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life and the majority of Vauxhall Crossland and Vauxhall Grandland models.
February 2022 - Cars removed from the Motability Scheme in February included the Citroen C4 SpaceTourer (production of this model ended), the Volkswagen Caddy and Ford Puma models. All BMW and Mini models were also removed from the scheme list in February. Vauxhall added the all-new eighth generation Astra 5 door hatchback to the Motability Scheme on 5 February. Peugeot also introduced the new 2022 Peugeot 308 and 308 SW estate.
March 2022 - In early March MG told its dealers to stop taking orders for new petrol models after “unprecedented demand” meant that the brand had already filled its entire 2022 UK sales quota. On 12 March Ford removed the Galaxy, S-Max and Focus. Later, on 23 March Renault dropped the Clio range and Citroen removed all vehicles from the scheme.
This guide was originally put together on 1 January 2022. Vehicles were added and removed throughout the quarter.
ABARTH – There were two Abarth 595 models to choose from, the standard 595 and the 595 Turismo Automatica. The Scorpioneoro is no longer available.
ALFA ROMEO – The Italian manufacturer didn't re-join the scheme this quarter.
AUDI – There was just one Audi model in quarter 1 2022: the Audi Q2 SUV. The Audi A1 was no longer available to order while the Audi Q3 and A3 saloon and sportback weren't added back on. If you wanted an Audi Q2 Advance Payment prices started at £2649 (up £800) for the 30 TFSI Technik (which can be driven by under 25s).
BMW – The electric BMW i3 was still available at the start of this quarter, priced from £999 for the i3S with ‘Atelier’ Interior (rising to £1999 if you wanted the top ‘Suite’ trim). The BMW 1 Series range started at £2099 Advance Payment after prices rose by around £500. The same was true of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe range, with 4 trims that started at £2749. The BMW X2 range began at £3249 for the sDrive Sport manual, up from £2699 in quarter 4 2021. The X1 SUV didn't return.
CITROEN – The 100% electric Citroen e-C4 started at £995 Advance Payment for the range-topping e-C4 Shine Plus trim. The ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) versions of the Citroen C4 were also more expensive and could be ordered from £195 Advance Payment. The Citroen C3 Aircross range started at £395 Advance Payment for the Shine trim (up from £295), and it was £795 if you wanted the same model with an automatic gearbox. Prices for the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV started at £1895 for the C5 Puretech Shine (petrol or diesel), up from £995 the previous quarter. The Berlingo MPV was only available as an EV, with the 7 seat Feel XL automatic good value at £1495. Another 7 seater – the Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer – still started at £1795 this quarter, while the larger 9 seat Citroen e-Space Tourer electric was back on at £5895 (no ICE versions were available).
DACIA – The new Dacia Duster was priced from £795 Advance Payment (up from £495). New trim levels were also introduced.
DS AUTOMOBILES – One of the new models added this quarter was the new DS 4, which started at £2295. A number of new DS 3 Crossback models were also added, with a new Bastille trim introduced at £699 Advance Payment. The electric DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE Prestige and Bastille trims were both £0 Advance Payment.
FIAT – Versions of the new Fiat 500 could be ordered with £0 Advance Payment this quarter, as could the Fiat 500 Electric (£0 Advance Payment for the Action trim). The once popular Fiat 500X was better value, with prices starting from £999 (down from £2145).
FORD – There were over 60 versions of the updated Ford Fiesta available to order this quarter (over 7% of all the models available on the Motability Scheme), and prices started at £95 for the 5 door EcoBoost St Line. EcoSport prices were the same as Q4 2021. The Ford Puma range started from £345 for the ST Line (the cheaper Titanium trim was removed), with automatic versions starting at £945. Advance Payment prices for the Ford Kuga SUV range began from £3245, a massive increase on the previous quarter (the ST-Line Edition was £1895). Plug-in Hybrid versions of the Kuga started at £3895. Advance Payment prices for the large seven seat Ford Galaxy and S-Max began at £3545 and £3445 respectively, with all models featuring Ford’s mild hybrid technology. Tourneo Custom prices were unchanged.
HONDA – Honda added the smart new HR-V to the scheme, with prices starting at £1999. The all-electric Honda E was £3999 for the Advance Trim (was £1499) after the removal of the standard model. The Honda Jazz was slightly better value, with the SE automatic £399 Advance Payment (down from £499) and higher-spec SR £699 (down from £799). The Honda Civic and CR-V weren't available to order.
HYUNDAI – The new Hyundai Bayon SE Connect automatic could still be ordered with £0 Advance Payment. Prices for other trims fell by £100-£200. Hyundai i10 and i20 models could also be leased with nothing to pay upfront. The i20 Premium automatic was £299 Advance Payment (down from £349). The electric Hyundai Kona could still be ordered with nothing to pay upfront (the SE Connect trim was £0 Advance Payment) or £199 for the Premium trim. The top-spec Ultimate (with a range of up to 300 miles) was £1099 (up from £999). The Kona with the MHEV mild-hybrid petrol engine started at £0 Advance Payment, while the Kona Hybrid range began at £899, up from £0. The Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid range still started at £0 Advance Payment, with the full electric version of the IONIQ unchanged at £199 for the Premium automatic. The Hyundai Tucson SUV range began at £999 for the SE Connect (up from £749), and there was a big price increase for the rest of the Tucson range. The Tucson PHEV started at £5099, up from £4499.
In January MG added the updated 2022 MG ZS EV Long Range to the Motability Scheme list, priced from £899 Advance Payment.
JEEP – Some Advance Payment prices were slightly better this quarter. The popular Jeep Renegade Night Eagle special edition was priced at £999, down from £1245. The automatic version was £1745. Jeep Compass prices increased again though, with the range starting at £2295.
KIA – The electric Kia e-Niro was still available in Q1, and it was the best value version from the Niro family with prices starting at £599 (up by £100). The Kia Niro self-charging hybrid started at £2749 (up from £499) while the Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid was priced at £5449 for the ‘3’ trim. The Kia Stonic and Xceed ranges both started at £0 Advance Payment, but many other XCeed trim levels went up in price. The new Kia Ceed 2 Sportwagon estate was great value though at £99 Advance Payment. The electric Kia Soul EV Maxx was £1999 (down from £2299).
MG MOTORS - The old MG ZS EV was replaced with an improved version this quarter. Prices started at £899. The MG HS Crossover was slightly more this quarter, but it was still one of our best buys. The HS Excite manual was £399 Advance Payment (up from £0) or it was £699 for the automatic. Plug-In Hybrid HS models were no longer available. There was only one version of the MG5 EV electric estate long range available, priced at £2749.
MAZDA – Advance Payment prices for the electric Mazda MX-30 started at £0 for the SE-L Lux, with the higher spec Sport Lux trim £699. Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5, CX-30, Mazda2 and Mazda3 weren't available to order.
MERCEDES BENZ – There were no models available from Mercedes-Benz this quarter.
MINI – Mini cars represented just over 11% of all the models available through the Motability Scheme on 1 January 2022. Prices for the new Mini Electric went up, with the range starting at £249 Advance Payment for Mini Electric ‘Level 1’. The ‘Level 2’ trim was £1249 (up from £749), and the top-spec ‘Level 3’ was £2249 (from £1749). Prices also increased on the rest of the Mini range. 3 door and 5 door Mini models started at £500, or it was £749 if you wanted one with an automatic gearbox. Mini Countyman models were also more expensive, with the range starting at £1999 (up from £999). The Mini Convertible range began at £2499, with all models £750 more expensive
NISSAN – The Nissan Qashqai and Juke were both back on the Motability Scheme. There were 6 Qashqai models available to order in January, priced from £1499 Motability Advance Payment for the Acenta Premium trim. Juke models started at £299 for the N-Connecta manual (or £399 with the heat pack). Prices didn't change for the electric 5 door Leaf, which started at £0 Advance Payment. Nissan’s other electric model - the 7-seat E-NV200 Combi MPV – could no longer be ordered.
PEUGEOT – In this quarter electric versions of the Peugeot 2008 SUV could be ordered with £1099 Advance Payment, up from £599. The smaller e-208 range started at £799. The Peugeot 3008 SUV range began at £2149 (up from £1299) for the Active Premium diesel, while the larger 7-seat 5008 was £3249, an increase from £2999 the previous quarter. The 8 seat Peugeot Traveller and the smaller electric e-Rifter MPV's were back, priced from £2999 and £4699 respectively.
RENAULT – There were a few new Renault Clio 5 door models to choose from this quarter, and the range still started at a very affordable £0 Advance Payment. The impressive E-TECH 140 Hybrid models returned, priced from £495. The Captur also began at £0, with Plug-In Hybrids versions priced from £1995 (down from £2595). Advance Payment prices started at £1395 for the Renault Arkana (up from £1095), while the 100% electric Renault Zoe could still be ordered with nothing to pay upfront. The Renault Kadjar SUV was no longer available.
SEAT – Models from the SEAT Ateca SUV range increased in price by around £1000, with the entry SE Technology trim £1999 (up from £999). The smaller Arona started at £799, up from £0 Advance Payment the previous quarter. SEAT Leon hatchback and estate models were much more expensive, starting at £2599. The popular PHEV versions of the Leon didn't return, and neither did the 7 seat Tarraco.
SKODA – Like SEAT, Skoda models also increased in price when compared to the previous quarter. The Skoda KAMIQ range started at £795 (up from £350), with the special edition KAMIQ Monte Carlo £1095 Advance Payment (up from £745). The larger Skoda KAROQ and KODIAQ SUVs weren't available to order. The Scala range started at £1345 (was £750) while the Octavia began at £1525 (up from £800).
SMART – smart cars were back on the Motability Scheme this quarter, and both the electric smart FORTWO and the larger FORFOUR could be driven away with £0 Motability Advanced Payment. They could also be leased by Motability drivers under the age of 25.
SSANGYONG – SsangYong had 10 models available this quarter. The Tivoli could be ordered with £0 Advance Payment, while the larger Korando started at £1249 (the same as the previous quarter).
SUZUKI – The Suzuki Vitara and the updated S-Cross were both back this quarter, priced from £999 Advance Payment. There was only one Vitara model though, the SZ-T Mild Hybrid manual, which in previous quarters could be ordered with nothing to pay upfront. Both Suzuki Swace hybrid estate models – the SZ-T automatic and SZ5 automatic – went up in price, which meant the lowest priced Swace was £499. The smaller Swift Hybrid wasn't available.
TOYOTA – Toyota C-HR prices came down this quarter. The range started at £695 Motability Advance Payment (down from £1545 the previous quarter) for the ICON Hybrid automatic. Yaris Hybrid 5 door prices improved as well. The range still began at £0 Advance Payment, but higher-spec models were better value. The RAV4 also made a welcome return at the start of the new year, priced from £2195. The popular Toyota Corolla was also back, with the Corolla ICON trim in hatchback and saloon guise priced at £295. The Touring Sport estate version was £645 (vs £295 Advance Payment the previous quarter).
VAUXHALL - Prices improved on the electric 8 or 9 seat Vivaro-e Life MPV range, which could be ordered with £1099 Advance Payment (down from £1249). The Vauxhall Mokka was still amazing value, with petrol versions starting at £99, or £299 if you wanted an automatic. The electric Mokka-e was even better value, with nothing to pay upfront if you ordered the SRi Premium. The top of the range Mokka-e Ultimate was just £199. The electric Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Premium could be ordered with £0 upfront, while the prices for the updated Vauxhall Grandland SUV range were unchanged, with models starting at £499. Vauxhall Crossland models increased slightly though.
VOLKSWAGEN – The big news from Volkswagen this quarter was the reintroduction of the facelifted 7 seat Tiguan Allspace SUV, priced from £3249 Advance Payment. The smaller 5 seat Tiguan (removed part way through quarter 4 2021) didn't returned though. The electric Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 didn't come back onto the scheme either. The Volkswagen Golf range began at a ridiculous £3099, and only the basic Life trims were available. The popular Golf GTD and the Plug-In Hybrid GTE could no longer be ordered. The recently introduced new 7 seat Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life was priced from £3250 Advance Payment (up from £949), while T-Cross prices also increased, with the range starting from £1199 (was £0).
VOLVO – Unfortunately the Volvo XC40 range wasn't reintroduced by the Swedish carmaker in January 2022.
Here you'll find a selection of the printable PDF Motability price guides that vehicle manufacturers published at the start of quarter 1 2022.