Having assisted more than half a million people who are disabled or differently abled with leasing a car, the Motability scheme is arguably one of the greatest charity success stories. But if you’re a member of the scheme, or looking at joining Motability, the array of car choices can overwhelming. So, we’ve rounded up some of the best Motability cars on offer to help you narrow down your options.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if the vehicle or options you want are more than the monthly payout you received, you can choose to top up the payment. There’s no limitation, other than how much extra budget you have to spend.
Best Motability cars 2024
Practical and spacious SUV is a sensible choice
Even the entry-level models come with an excellent amount of equipment that shames some rivals. Parking sensors are a notable addition to help make it easier to get the Kodiaq into a tight spot.
It also boasts affordable running costs and huge amounts of space – there is 270-litres of boot space available even when the seven seats are in place, which is more than some small hatchbacks have as standard.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Kodiaq review
Pros
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Sensible prices
- Good to drive
Cons
- Basic model lacks some desirable kit
- Interior lacks charm
Versatile van-based alternatives are a great choice
They are comfortable, have a very versatile interior setup and huge amounts of space. They might be the car versions of a van, but they really don’t feel like it. The Rifter offers a slightly more SUV-like look while the other two are more ‘MPV’.
There are even some models that you can pick up without adding to your DLA payment, and a few that only require a small advance fee. As well as the five-seater model, there is the option of a seven-seater version of all three.
To find out more, read our full Citroen Berlingo review
Pros
- Tremendously practical
- Huge boot space
- Comfortable
Cons
- Can feel a bit cheap in places
- Not enjoyable to drive
No-frills SUV is charming and capable
If you want to avoid adding an advance payment then you’ll be looking at a petrol, but it won’t take much to get into the diesel version, which will be the pick of the range for many, especially if you are doing higher mileages.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Decent off-road capability
- Smart and pleasant interior
- Great value for money
Cons
- Doesn't drive as well as competitors
- Refinement isn't its strong suite
A neat, efficient and appealing modern supermini
There’s only one engine choice, so the simple but effective 1.0-litre turbocharged engine it is. But this is a mild hybrid 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, meaning it uses a small electric motor to deliver better fuel economy and slightly greener credentials. While it’s not as fun to drive as the outgoing Fiesta, the i20 is never sluggish.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai i20 review
Pros
- Cheap to run
- Smart interior and exterior styling
- Modern tech and good equipment levels
Cons
- Automatic version isn't great
- Engine range is limited
Smart SEAT is spacious and good to drive
All versions manage fuel economy of more than 50mpg, but petrol will still be the pick for most. Plenty of automatic versions available on the Motability scheme too.
To find out more, read our full SEAT Ibiza review
Pros
- Good engine options
- Comfortable interior
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Not as practical as a Fabia
- Not many engine options
All-electric VW is a good all-rounder
Though prices haven’t yet been released on what the expected top-up payment may be for the Volkswagen ID.3, the benefit of having an electric car means fuel bills ought to be much lower—that is, of course, once your home charging point has been fitted. The ID.3’s companion app enables you to schedule when the car charges, so you can take advantage of cheaper overnight rates, too.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen ID.3 review
Pros
- Excellent interior space
- Strong performance
- Good real-world range
Cons
- Controls can be a bit fiddly
- A Cupra Born is more interesting
Funky and fun EV offers a decent range
Fourteen years after this familiar iconic car was resurrected, the Fiat 500 has been electrified. Covering up to 199 miles with nippy acceleration, it offers perfectly enjoyable city driving. While it’s not the most spacious of cars, two people and some luggage can comfortably take a weekend break into the countryside too.
Charging keeps ‘fuel’ costs as low as they can be and though a better spec may require an initial top-up payment, the 500e is more competitive than the Honda E or Mini Electric, which have yet to make th
To find out more read our full Fiat 500 Electric review
Pros
- Punchy and enjoyable to drive
- Appealing styling and detailing
- Long range for its size
Cons
- Limited praticality
- Can be expensive
What is Motability?
Motability is a charitable scheme that allows people in receipt of a disability mobility allowance to use their monthly payment to lease a car, enabling them to get out and about. Non-drivers, parents and carers can also qualify so it’s worth reading up on.
To be eligible you need to be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA), the Enhanced Rate Mobility Coponent of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
The Motability scheme has a list of cars that eligible participants can choose from. Customers don’t have to pay anything on a monthly basis, but, as we say, if the monthly allowance doesn’t cover the cost of the car then participants are allowed to add a little more in the form of an upfront payment to get something a little nicer or bigger.
Almost everything is included, too, with insurance, breakdown cover, maintenance and servicing all covered – customers just pay for the fuel they use.
The Motability website has a full list of options available, but we’ve put together a list of the best cars accessible on the scheme.
