Motability Scooter Scheme: Eligibility and Costs
The Motability Scheme helps disabled people across the UK stay independent by turning their benefit allowance into a lease for a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.
It is a simple idea that has helped millions stay mobile and could help you too, with TGA offering a wide range of scooters and powered wheelchairs that qualify for the scheme.
If you are wondering how Motability works, who can apply, and what it costs each week, this guide answers all of it.
What Is the Motability Scooter Scheme?
The Motability Scheme is a government-supported leasing programme that lets you use your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a brand-new mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.
Your payments go straight from your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Motability. In return you get:
- A brand-new TGA mobility scooter or powerchair every three years
- Full insurance
- Breakdown assistance
- Servicing, repairs, and replacement tyres and batteries
There are no credit checks and no upfront cost. Everything is included in the lease.
Can You Get a Mobility Scooter on PIP?
Yes, if you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP.
That is the key detail, and it is where most applications fall down. The standard rate of the PIP mobility component does not qualify for the Motability Scheme. You need the enhanced rate, and you need at least 12 months remaining on your award when you apply.
You can check which rate you are on by looking at your PIP award letter, or by calling the DWP.
Which Allowances Qualify?
You can lease a scooter or powered wheelchair through the scheme if you receive any of the following:
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of PIP
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment (the Scottish replacement for PIP)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Age is not a factor. Children, adults and pensioners across the UK can all apply if they receive the right allowance, and the same rules apply in Northern Ireland. Our guide to mobility scooter age restrictions covers the rules on who can ride one.
How Much Is a Mobility Scooter on PIP?
Your weekly payment depends on the model you choose. Here is what TGA scooters and powerchairs cost per week through the scheme:
| Model | Weekly cost | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Minimo | £20.12 | Folding scooter |
| Maximo | £23.35 | Folding scooter |
| Maximo Plus | £24.65 | Folding, road legal at 6mph |
| Minimo Autofold | £27.63 | Automatic folding scooter |
| WHILL C Lite | £37.03 | Folding powerchair |
| Breeze X | £47.13 | Off-road scooter |
The enhanced rate mobility component of PIP is paid weekly, so for most people the question is simply whether the model you want costs less than your allowance. Several of our scooters do, which means no top-up payment at all.
Payments come straight out of your DWP benefit, so there is no direct debit to set up and nothing to remember.
What Is Included in the Lease?
Everything except charging it.
- A brand-new mobility scooter or powered wheelchair
- Insurance covering damage to you, other people and property
- 24/7 breakdown assistance from Motability Assist
- Servicing and maintenance, including collection from your home
- Tyre and battery replacements
- A UK-based Motability customer service team
There are no mileage limits on scooters or powerchairs, and every three years you choose a new model.
Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs Available Through the Scheme
TGA offers a wide range of mobility equipment you can lease through Motability:
- Folding scooters that fit in a car boot, for day trips and travel
- 3-wheel pavement scooters and 4-wheel models for everyday use and shopping in town
- Class 3 road-legal scooters for longer journeys where the pavement runs out
- Off-road scooters with all-terrain capability for countryside adventures
- Lightweight powerchairs for indoor and outdoor use
If you are not sure which type suits you, our guide to choosing the best mobility scooter walks through the decision.
If you need a specific adaptation, talk to our team. We offer a full assessment to match your needs to the right model and can advise on accessories. Some adaptations are not covered under the lease, and we will tell you clearly which ones cost extra.
View our Motability eligible scooters
View our qualifying powerchairs
How to Apply for a Motability Scooter with TGA
Our specialists make joining the scheme straightforward.
Step 1. Call us on 0800 107 5349 for a chat about your mobility needs.
Step 2. We arrange a free home assessment, or a test drive at our Sudbury showroom in Suffolk or Farnham showroom in Surrey. It is worth knowing what to look for on a test drive before you go.
Step 3. Choose your scooter or powerchair. We will help you find the one that actually suits how you live.
Step 4. We handle the paperwork.
We have experienced assessors working across the UK, and we will never recommend a product that does not suit your lifestyle or comfort requirements.
Motability FAQs
Can I get a mobility scooter on PIP?
Yes, if you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP with at least 12 months left on your award. The standard rate does not qualify.
How much is a mobility scooter on PIP?
TGA scooters start at £20.12 a week through the scheme and powerchairs from £37.03. The payment comes directly out of your allowance, so for many people there is nothing extra to pay.
Can I get a mobility scooter on standard rate PIP?
No. The Motability Scheme requires the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component, or the higher rate of DLA. If you are on the standard rate, our funding and grants guide covers other routes, and our approved used scooters start from a much lower price.
Can I have a Motability car and a scooter at the same time?
Not usually. The scheme allows one product per qualifying allowance, so most people choose one or the other. If your circumstances are unusual, Motability can advise directly.
Is a Motability scooter free?
Not exactly. You are leasing the scooter using money you would otherwise receive as a cash allowance. Nothing comes out of your bank account, but the allowance is redirected for the length of the lease.
Do I own the scooter at the end of the lease?
No. You return it and can apply for a new one. The scheme includes a new product every three years.
What happens if I stop receiving my benefit?
You will need to return the scooter, but there is a grace period and the Motability team will talk you through it.
Is insurance included?
Yes. Every scooter and powerchair leased through the scheme is insured for damage to you, other people and property, with breakdown cover included. If you are buying outright rather than leasing, our insurance and service plans cover the same ground.
Can I add accessories or adaptations?
Yes, although some cost extra. We will tell you what is covered by the lease and what is not before you commit. Browse our scooter accessories to see what is available.
Does the scheme cover Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Yes. Motability operates UK-wide. In Scotland, the enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment qualifies in the same way as PIP.
Can I buy a used Motability scooter?
Motability only leases brand-new models, so used scooters have to be bought outright. Our approved used range is fully refurbished and graded, and our guide to second-hand Motability alternatives explains the options.
The Motability Scheme Can Help You Stay Independent
The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for thousands of people across the UK who rely on mobility scooters and powerchairs to live independently. It is built to be simple and stress-free, and we have built our service around the same idea.
Call us on 0800 107 5349 to talk through your options, or browse the full range of Motability scooters and Motability powerchairs. If you are eligible, you could soon be using your allowance to lease a brand-new TGA mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.
