Many disabled people would face significant barriers to accessing a private vehicle without the Motability Scheme, with car finance and insurance out of reach for many in the open market.
Low or fixed incomes, age restrictions, health-related conditions and higher costs for adaptations make getting finance and insurance difficult.
Finance barriers lock many out
- 87% of disabled customers on the Motability Scheme believe they would face barriers to getting car finance without the Scheme.
- 62% of those on lower incomes believe they would struggle to secure finance at all.
- Many say they are turned away because they rely on benefits or pensions, or face age caps from lenders.
Insurance remains difficult and costly for disabled drivers
- Nearly 3 in 10 customers (29%) believe they would find it hard to get car insurance outside the Scheme.
- Many expect higher premiums due to health conditions, adaptations, or multiple named drivers such as carers.
- Almost half (48%) of those who have tried to access insurance privately have been priced out - quoted premiums they could not afford.
Overcoming barriers and providing a route to independence
- The Motability Scheme helps level the playing field, ensuring customers can drive safely, confidently and affordably, no matter their income, age or disability.
- Before joining the Scheme, only a quarter (26%) of disabled customers had used mainstream car finance, compared with 93% in the wider market.
- Thanks to the Scheme’s ability to remove these systemic barriers to fair transport, 79% of customers feel more independent since joining.
- 78% say their quality of life has improved as a result of being on the Scheme.
