| Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by grahame at 11:45, 2nd February 2019 |     |
From the Plymouth Herald ... a very long piece
Motability scheme represents the good, the bad and the ugly of modern Britain
Bank-owned PLC that contracted for charity paid its five bosses more than £15m and hoarded £2.6bn - much of which was tax payer cash paid to disabled people as benefits
[snip]
The Motability scheme truly represents the good, the bad and the ugly of modern Britain.
It has given hundreds of thousands of disabled people independence and allowed them to live rich and full lives. It has shown that we, as a nation, care about our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens and place great importance on their care and well being.
However, the ugly truth of the matter is the scheme has also been badly abused - by those making fraudulent DLA claims and, it would seem, by the bank-owned company that operates the scheme. And it has also shown the ugly side of 'crony' capitalism and the creeping privatisation of our country's social care system.
Bank-owned PLC that contracted for charity paid its five bosses more than £15m and hoarded £2.6bn - much of which was tax payer cash paid to disabled people as benefits
[snip]
The Motability scheme truly represents the good, the bad and the ugly of modern Britain.
It has given hundreds of thousands of disabled people independence and allowed them to live rich and full lives. It has shown that we, as a nation, care about our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens and place great importance on their care and well being.
However, the ugly truth of the matter is the scheme has also been badly abused - by those making fraudulent DLA claims and, it would seem, by the bank-owned company that operates the scheme. And it has also shown the ugly side of 'crony' capitalism and the creeping privatisation of our country's social care system.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by grahame at 05:54, 4th April 2026 | |
From Belfast Live
Motability takes back 300 Northern Ireland vehicles as compulsory black box rules come in on April 13
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme and the car seized
Motability users have been informed about new mandatory changes taking effect from April 13 for drivers. Newly leased vehicles will be equipped with telematics devices that will track driving behaviour, including speed and braking patterns, and will generate a weekly performance score.
Receiving more than four red ratings within a 12-month period could result in drivers being removed from the Motability scheme, which enables eligible disabled people to lease a new car using a portion of their benefit payments. The new requirement will apply to all new first time leases, all customers aged under 30 and any which have a named driver under 30.
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme and the car seized
Motability users have been informed about new mandatory changes taking effect from April 13 for drivers. Newly leased vehicles will be equipped with telematics devices that will track driving behaviour, including speed and braking patterns, and will generate a weekly performance score.
Receiving more than four red ratings within a 12-month period could result in drivers being removed from the Motability scheme, which enables eligible disabled people to lease a new car using a portion of their benefit payments. The new requirement will apply to all new first time leases, all customers aged under 30 and any which have a named driver under 30.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:19, 4th April 2026 | |
From Belfast Live
Motability takes back 300 Northern Ireland vehicles as compulsory black box rules come in on April 13
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme and the car seized
Motability users have been informed about new mandatory changes taking effect from April 13 for drivers. Newly leased vehicles will be equipped with telematics devices that will track driving behaviour, including speed and braking patterns, and will generate a weekly performance score.
Receiving more than four red ratings within a 12-month period could result in drivers being removed from the Motability scheme, which enables eligible disabled people to lease a new car using a portion of their benefit payments. The new requirement will apply to all new first time leases, all customers aged under 30 and any which have a named driver under 30.
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme and the car seized
Motability users have been informed about new mandatory changes taking effect from April 13 for drivers. Newly leased vehicles will be equipped with telematics devices that will track driving behaviour, including speed and braking patterns, and will generate a weekly performance score.
Receiving more than four red ratings within a 12-month period could result in drivers being removed from the Motability scheme, which enables eligible disabled people to lease a new car using a portion of their benefit payments. The new requirement will apply to all new first time leases, all customers aged under 30 and any which have a named driver under 30.
Motability is a well intentioned scheme but long overdue for reform (with a small "r"!!!)
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by ChrisB at 10:36, 4th April 2026 | |
A test in Northern Ireland saw 300 vehicles taken from the disabled - one was recorded doing 117mph in a 30mph zone
I find that hard to believe without further press coverage Practically impossible?
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:56, 4th April 2026 | |
There is more detail in a BBC article:
Motability drivers 'horrified' by compulsory black-box trackers
Motability drivers under the age of 30 say they are "horrified" by rule changes that mean their vehicles will be fitted with compulsory black boxes.
They will monitor driving habits, such as speed and braking, and will provide a weekly rating.
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme, which allows eligible disabled people to lease a new car using part of their benefit payments.
Critics say the UK-wide change will affect disabled people's freedom and ability to work, but Motability says it is about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe". It says it has removed 300 drivers since a pilot scheme began in Northern Ireland in September.
...
During last year's Budget, the government removed its tax break on insurance and it must now cover 12% on each insurance premium. It must also now pay VAT on some vehicles meaning the scheme will need to pay out an additional £300m from 1 July.
Nigel Fletcher, chief executive of the Motability Foundation, said that would be the equivalent of a price rise of £1,100 for every driver on the scheme. "A lot of disabled people won't be able to afford that, so we're now having to try and work out how can we make changes to the scheme that protects pricing as much as we possibly can," said Fletcher.
He added that black box was about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe" and its data had also found younger drivers to be the highest risk.
He said, of the 300 drivers removed from the scheme, one had driven 117mph in a 30mph zone.
"This a serious safety issue, not just for that individual, but everyone else in that community. They will get lots of warnings before they get taken off the scheme. And then if they are taken off the scheme, we will need to start looking at what our policies are around allowing them back onto the scheme in the future."
(BBC article continues)
Motability drivers under the age of 30 say they are "horrified" by rule changes that mean their vehicles will be fitted with compulsory black boxes.
They will monitor driving habits, such as speed and braking, and will provide a weekly rating.
More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme, which allows eligible disabled people to lease a new car using part of their benefit payments.
Critics say the UK-wide change will affect disabled people's freedom and ability to work, but Motability says it is about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe". It says it has removed 300 drivers since a pilot scheme began in Northern Ireland in September.
...
During last year's Budget, the government removed its tax break on insurance and it must now cover 12% on each insurance premium. It must also now pay VAT on some vehicles meaning the scheme will need to pay out an additional £300m from 1 July.
Nigel Fletcher, chief executive of the Motability Foundation, said that would be the equivalent of a price rise of £1,100 for every driver on the scheme. "A lot of disabled people won't be able to afford that, so we're now having to try and work out how can we make changes to the scheme that protects pricing as much as we possibly can," said Fletcher.
He added that black box was about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe" and its data had also found younger drivers to be the highest risk.
He said, of the 300 drivers removed from the scheme, one had driven 117mph in a 30mph zone.
"This a serious safety issue, not just for that individual, but everyone else in that community. They will get lots of warnings before they get taken off the scheme. And then if they are taken off the scheme, we will need to start looking at what our policies are around allowing them back onto the scheme in the future."
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by JayMac at 13:44, 4th April 2026 | |
Motability is a well intentioned scheme but long overdue for reform (with a small "r"!!!)I
What needs reforming?
I'd start with increasing the lease period to five years per vehicle, with MOT exemption for years four and five. Modern vehicles and mobility products are reliable enough not to need replacing every three year. Then increase the underlying benefit amount. The annual benefit uprating hasn't matched the price inflation in the passenger vehicle market, nor the vehicle conversion and mobility products industries. Meaning people eligible for the the Motability scheme are paying considerably more in upfront costs than a decade ago. A typical wheelchair accessible vehicle on the scheme costs the user anything from £5,000 to £30,000 upfront. And that's repeated every three years. You have to lease a new vehicle every three years. Advance payments are not a refundable deposit and do not roll over. Even regular unmodified passenger cars can have advance payments up to £5,000 for ICE and £7,000 for EV. The UK's current best selling car is the Ford Puma. All but the poverty spec model command advance payments of up to £2,000.
If we look at a PIP claimant leasing a Ford Puma with an advance payment of £1000 plus the £80 a week from their PIP then their monthly leasing cost is £430. Even with insurance, servicing, and breakdown recovery included, Motability leasing costs aren't that much cheaper than the Joe Public lease offerings.
One area that really does need reform is the claiming, initial assessment and periodic reassessment processes for some of the underlying qualifying benefits. Processes which are long, complicated, and soul destroying.
As for the small minority abusing the scheme, then yes, take back their vehicles. And I've no issue with younger Motability vehicle users being required to have a 'black box' fitted to monitor driving style. Motability cover the vehicle's insurance premiums so it's perfectly acceptable for them to lessen their risk exposure. What isn't acceptable is penalising ALL motability users (actual and potential) for the actions of a few by making an already hard scheme to qualify for even more restrictive.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by eightonedee at 18:07, 4th April 2026 | |
with MOT exemption for years four and five.
That's one thing on which I would disagree with you, Jaymac. A neglected car can become dangerous (tyres and brakes in particular) long before it's five years old. Cars now seem to last longer than they used to, so I think I'd rather see even longer leases (6 or 7 years) to save a triennial renewal payment. But keep the annual test after three years, possibly with a reduced fee for Motability vehicles.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by LiskeardRich at 08:59, 6th April 2026 | |
What isn't acceptable is penalising ALL motability users (actual and potential) for the actions of a few by making an already hard scheme to qualify for even more restrictive.
They’re not penalising all users.
Black boxes are only being fitted to first time users, and those under 30.
If it’s your second or more car, and you’re over 30 you wont get one fitted.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by LiskeardRich at 09:01, 6th April 2026 | |
with MOT exemption for years four and five.
That's one thing on which I would disagree with you, Jaymac. A neglected car can become dangerous (tyres and brakes in particular) long before it's five years old. Cars now seem to last longer than they used to, so I think I'd rather see even longer leases (6 or 7 years) to save a triennial renewal payment. But keep the annual test after three years, possibly with a reduced fee for Motability vehicles.
3 year old cars have some of the highest fail rates of any age vehicle.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by JayMac at 14:45, 6th April 2026 | |
3 year old cars have some of the highest fail rates of any age vehicle.
That's driver complacency mostly, minor faults like bulbs. Motability Vehicles HAVE to be serviced as per manufacturer guidelines and schedules.
| Re: Motability - merged posts, ongoing developments and discussion Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:52, 7th April 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Changes to mobility scheme will 'cost lives'
Kay Millar said she will be forced to stay at home if she can't afford her car any more (image © Kay Millar)
A wheelchair user has said changes to a driving scheme for disabled people will "cost lives".
Kay Millar, 29, from Frome, has limb paralysis and arm weakness and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. She is a user of the Motability scheme, for recipients of disability benefits, who can use payments to lease cars.
From July, VAT and a premium tax will apply to most new leases, along with higher mileage charges, although the company running the scheme has said it is looking at bringing in exceptions.
"We worked for years to make sure disabled people can access the world, this will force them into their homes," added Millar, who is a teacher by profession.
The rules to access the Motability scheme are about to become more strict, including a new 10,000-mile-per-year restriction on 1 July. Drivers who go over 30,000 miles in three years will have to pay 25p per extra mile.
Millar says in the two years she's been part of the scheme, she has covered 42,000 miles and doesn't "overuse" her car. "I live an active life, I became disabled when I was younger and have made the best of it," Millar said. "I play basketball, I surf, I support vulnerable people that I have to drive to see."
However, she said she is "most concerned" about going to hospital appointments. "My specialists are based in Surrey and London, I drive about two to three times a week for treatment or therapy," Millar added. "It's not possible for me to get a different car with my specifications. I'm a low-income person. I'm in a pickle."
She added that she is worried about more vulnerable people than her. "It's not safe for every disabled person to access public transport, especially if you're vulnerable."
A spokesperson for Motability Operations said the government announced new taxes for the scheme, which means prices will increase from July. "Changing the mileage allowance of future leases lowers insurance and maintenance costs and increases the vehicle's resale cost, which reduces the cost of a lease," the spokesperson said. "We understand that, in some circumstances, people may need to drive more than the mileage allowance. We will be introducing an exceptions process for very limited situations."
Kay Millar said she will be forced to stay at home if she can't afford her car any more (image © Kay Millar)
A wheelchair user has said changes to a driving scheme for disabled people will "cost lives".
Kay Millar, 29, from Frome, has limb paralysis and arm weakness and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. She is a user of the Motability scheme, for recipients of disability benefits, who can use payments to lease cars.
From July, VAT and a premium tax will apply to most new leases, along with higher mileage charges, although the company running the scheme has said it is looking at bringing in exceptions.
"We worked for years to make sure disabled people can access the world, this will force them into their homes," added Millar, who is a teacher by profession.
The rules to access the Motability scheme are about to become more strict, including a new 10,000-mile-per-year restriction on 1 July. Drivers who go over 30,000 miles in three years will have to pay 25p per extra mile.
Millar says in the two years she's been part of the scheme, she has covered 42,000 miles and doesn't "overuse" her car. "I live an active life, I became disabled when I was younger and have made the best of it," Millar said. "I play basketball, I surf, I support vulnerable people that I have to drive to see."
However, she said she is "most concerned" about going to hospital appointments. "My specialists are based in Surrey and London, I drive about two to three times a week for treatment or therapy," Millar added. "It's not possible for me to get a different car with my specifications. I'm a low-income person. I'm in a pickle."
She added that she is worried about more vulnerable people than her. "It's not safe for every disabled person to access public transport, especially if you're vulnerable."
A spokesperson for Motability Operations said the government announced new taxes for the scheme, which means prices will increase from July. "Changing the mileage allowance of future leases lowers insurance and maintenance costs and increases the vehicle's resale cost, which reduces the cost of a lease," the spokesperson said. "We understand that, in some circumstances, people may need to drive more than the mileage allowance. We will be introducing an exceptions process for very limited situations."
