As the end of your Motability lease approaches, it’s important to know what options are available to you. There are several choices to consider, so whether you’re looking to continue with Motability, would like to buy the vehicle you've been driving or if you've thinking about exploring other mobility solutions, keep reading to find out what all your options are when your contract with Motability is coming to an end.
This is what most people decide to do. You can choose a new Motability vehicle when you're nearing the end of your current lease.
Three months before your lease ends, you will be contacted by Motability informing you that it's time to select a new vehicle.
You no longer need to have 12 months left on your allowance to apply for your next vehicle, but if you would like your new award confirmed before you apply, simply ask Motability to extend your current lease.
As the three-month mark approaches:
For more help on choosing a new Motability Scheme vehicle, check out our guide to Choosing A Motability Car.
Two months before your lease ends:
One month prior to your lease ending:
Choosing your next Motability Scheme vehicle should be a fun and exciting process, and there’s a huge variety of different models to choose from. You’ll also have access to the same benefits as before, such as insurance for up to three drivers, servicing and maintenance plus a mileage allowance of up to 20,000 miles a year.
If you do decide to lease another vehicle, you'll want to know more about the one-off £750 New Vehicle Payment. You can find more information about the New Vehicle Payment here.
Motability now let their customers to use the New Vehicle Payment to directly offset the Advance Payment of a new Motability Scheme vehicle.
If the Advance Payment amount of the car you choose is less than £750, Motability will send you the difference within a couple of weeks of you receiving your new vehicle.
If you’re happy with your current Motability vehicle and it still fits your needs, you may be able to extend your lease. You can usually request a lease extension for three reasons:
1. You need to submit a new Mobility Allowance application.
It may be possible to get a short lease extension if you want to wait until the renewal of a new Mobility Allowance award (or if you have started a new application).
2. The vehicle's mileage is below 15,000.
You may be eligible to keep your current vehicle for an additional one or two years if you have driven fewer than 15,000 miles when your Motability Lease is about to end. You can request this extension three months prior to the end of your lease. If you qualify, your annual allowance will still be 20,000 miles, and your agreement will proceed as normal. You can make this request via the Motability Scheme online account or by contacting the Motability Customer Service team.
3. Adaptations have been made to your vehicle.
Finally, if your vehicle has specific adaptations installed, such as electronic accelerators, rooftop hoists, or swivel chairs, then you may be able to extend your lease for up to two years. If the lease extension is approved, you’ll still receive an annual allowance of 20,000 miles, and your lease will proceed as usual.
It's also worth knowing that if you have ordered a new Motability vehicle but it hasn't arrived in time, Motability will automatically extend your existing lease until it's time for the handover.
In summary, extending your lease allows you to keep your existing vehicle and benefit from the peace of mind that comes with being a Motability customer, as well as access to all the same benefits as before.
No longer need your Motability vehicle? You can simply leave the Motability Scheme and return your vehicle at the end of your lease.
You'll need to factor in the below:
By returning your vehicle, you will have your full Mobility Allowance reinstated (currently £75.75 per week, or £84.55 a week if you receive The War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement).
If you're looking to explore other mobility solutions, there are of course many options available to you, from buying a new car outright to owning a new or second-hand Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).
When considering other routes, it's important to think about your individual needs and requirements. For example, if you need a vehicle for work, you may need to consider a solution that allows you to travel longer distances or carry more equipment. For other people, using a taxi or the bus is a more cost-efficient option. Everyone is different, so make sure you take the time to discover all your options.
If you do decide to leave the Motability Scheme and later regret it, re-joining is always an option.
As you approach the end of the lease (or if you've had your qualifying Mobility Allowance stopped part way through the agreement), it may be possible to buy the vehicle that that you've been driving.
In December 2023, Motability announced that they would no longer sell vehicles directly to Motability Scheme customers at the end of their lease.
If you still want to buy your car, the dealership who you originally ordered it from may be able to buy it from Motability for you. At the end of the three-year car lease, the dealership you ordered the vehicle from normally gets ‘first refusal’ to buy the vehicle for used car stock. If the price is acceptable, they could agree to buy it and then sell it straight on to you.
If you are in the final few months of your lease agreement, give the Motability Specialist at your local dealership a call to see if Motability have published a purchase price for your vehicle yet.
Looking after your Motability vehicle is important. If you placed an order for your vehicle prior to October 2022, and return it at the end of your lease without any significant damage, Motability may reward you with £600 (or £900 for WAVs), thanks to what they call the 'Good Condition Bonus'.
The Good Condition Payment replaced the Good Condition Bonus on 1st October 2022, and applies to all Motability vehicles ordered after that date. It's now £250 for a standard three-year lease and £350 for a five-year lease.
If you ordered your current vehicle before 1 October 2022, you still qualify for the Good Condition Bonus and the higher amount.
At the end of your Motability vehicle lease, you have several options to consider. Whether you want to renew your lease, choose a new vehicle or return your vehicle to explore other mobility solutions, such as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), there should be something to suit your needs.
By considering your individual requirements and weighing up your possibilities, you'll find the right solution for your lifestyle and budget.
