PIP and Motability - How to Get a Car Through Your PIP Award

If you receive the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component, you can use it to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through the Motability scheme. You give up your mobility payment (currently £80.00 per week) and in return you get a brand new car with insurance, servicing, breakdown cover and road tax all included.

Who Qualifies for Motability?

You need the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component with at least 12 months remaining on your award. Standard rate mobility does not qualify. Enhanced daily living does not qualify on its own - it must be the mobility component specifically.

To get enhanced mobility, you need to score 12 points on the mobility activities. The most common way is through Activity 12 (Moving Around), where descriptor f ("cannot either stand or move more than 1 metre without assistance") or descriptor e ("cannot stand or move more than 20 metres") each score 12 points.

What Car Can You Get With PIP?

If you get the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component, you can choose almost any car on Motability's approved list - from small automatic city cars right up to family SUVs and wheelchair accessible vehicles. The car is leased for 3 years (5 years for many WAVs) with insurance, servicing, breakdown cover and road tax all included for your weekly mobility payment.

What you pay upfront depends on the car you pick. Many small and mid-size cars need no advance payment at all, so your £80.00 weekly mobility payment covers everything. Larger or premium cars and WAVs ask for a one-off advance payment on top - see the advance payment examples further down for typical 2026 prices. You can also name up to two other drivers if you do not drive yourself.

What Does Motability Include?

For your weekly mobility payment, you get:

• A brand new car (replaced every 3 years)
• Fully comprehensive insurance for up to 3 named drivers
• All servicing, maintenance and MOTs
• Road tax
• Breakdown cover (RAC)
• Tyre and windscreen replacement
• 60,000-mile allowance over 3 years

Some cars have no additional cost beyond your mobility payment. Others require an advance payment (a one-off upfront fee) ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds depending on the car you choose.

How to Apply

You don't apply to Motability directly. Visit a Motability dealer (most major car dealerships participate), choose your car and the dealer handles the paperwork. You'll need your PIP award letter showing enhanced mobility and the remaining length of your award.

What Happens If Your PIP Changes?

This is the biggest worry for Motability customers. If your PIP is reduced from enhanced to standard mobility at review, you lose your Motability car. You typically get around 7 weeks to return it. If your MR or tribunal reinstates enhanced mobility, you can get a new car.

Can Someone Else Drive the Car?

Yes. You can name up to two other drivers on the policy. The car doesn't have to be driven by you - many people with severe mobility issues have a family member or carer as the main driver. The car must be used for your benefit, meaning it should help you get around.

Alternatives to Cars

Motability also offers powered wheelchairs and scooters. If you don't need a car, you can use your enhanced mobility payment for a powered wheelchair with the same all-inclusive package. The Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme works the same way as the car scheme.

What's Included in the Motability Lease

The all-inclusive package covers:

• The vehicle itself (typically new or nearly-new)
• Insurance for you and up to two named drivers
• Servicing and maintenance
• Tyres (including punctures)
• Breakdown cover (RAC)
• Vehicle tax (Road Tax)
• 60,000 miles over 3 years (4 years for some)
• Windscreen repairs and replacement
• Annual safety check
• Replacement vehicle if yours is in for servicing

You pay for fuel/electricity and any adaptations beyond standard.

Advance Payment Examples

Some cars have no advance payment; others require £500-£8,000 upfront. Approximate 2026 prices:

• Small hatchback (Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto): often £0 advance
• Mid-size hatchback (Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio): £0-£600
• Family SUV (Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage): £1,500-£3,500
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV): £2,000-£10,000+
• Electric vehicle (Vauxhall Mokka-e, Kia Niro EV): variable; many have higher advance payment
• Premium brand vehicles: significantly higher advance payment

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)

If you cannot transfer to a standard car seat:

• Choose from purpose-built WAVs - drive-from-wheelchair or travel-from-wheelchair
• Higher advance payments typical (£5,000-£15,000)
• Longer lease (5 years often)
• Specialist insurance and breakdown cover
• Charity grants available to help with advance payment (e.g. Motability Foundation grants)

The 8-Week Transitional Support Package

If you lose enhanced mobility, Motability provides:

• 8 weeks to return the vehicle
• £250 one-off payment if you have been on Motability for over 3 years
• Drive-away allowance £750 if you are reapplying and have a gap
• Continued insurance during return period
• Help arranging vehicle return

If your PIP is reinstated within 12 months at MR or tribunal, you can rejoin Motability immediately.

Other Motability Schemes

• Motability Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme: Powered wheelchair or mobility scooter instead of car. 3-year lease.
• Motability driving lessons grant: Help learning to drive on the scheme.
• Motability Foundation grants: One-off grants for advance payments, adaptations, driving lessons. Means-tested.
• Drive-Anywhere fund: Help for those without a Motability vehicle who need driving lessons.

Tax and Other Implications

• Motability vehicles are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax)
• Eligible for Class 50 disabled person tax class
• The lease itself is not taxable income
• Insurance is on the customer's name but provided through Motability
• You cannot use the car for commercial purposes (cannot work as taxi/Uber driver)
• Excess mileage over 60,000 in 3 years is charged at 5p-15p/mile

Common Reasons to Get Motability

• Enhanced PIP mobility (12+ points on Activity 11 or 12)
• Higher Rate DLA Mobility (legacy claimants)
• Enhanced War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Child DLA Higher Rate Mobility (parent/guardian leases on child's behalf)

You must have at least 12 months of award remaining when starting a Motability lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What car can you get with PIP?

With the enhanced rate of PIP mobility you can lease almost any car on Motability's approved list, from small automatic hatchbacks (often with no advance payment) up to family SUVs, electric cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles. The lease includes insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, road tax and tyres. You give up your £80.00 weekly mobility payment, and some cars also need a one-off advance payment.

If I get enhanced PIP, can I get a car?

Yes. If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component with at least 12 months left on your award, you can get a car through Motability. The standard rate of mobility does not qualify, and enhanced daily living on its own does not qualify - it has to be the enhanced mobility component specifically.

Can I choose any car?

You can choose from Motability's approved list, which includes most mainstream makes and models. Some have no advance payment (your mobility payment covers everything). Others require an upfront payment of £500 to £5,000+ depending on the car. Electric vehicles are increasingly available on the scheme.

What happens at the end of 3 years?

You return the car and choose a new one. Motability handles everything - you just pick your next car from the dealer. If your PIP enhanced mobility continues, the cycle repeats. You always have a nearly-new car with zero maintenance worries.

What if I can't drive myself?

You can name up to two other drivers (family members or carers). The car must be used for your benefit but you do not have to drive it. This is essential for many wheelchair users and people with conditions that prevent driving (epilepsy, severe anxiety, visual impairment).

Can I get adaptations fitted?

Yes. Motability covers basic adaptations (hand controls, swivel seats, steering aids) at no extra cost. More complex adaptations may have additional advance payment. The Motability Foundation provides grants for expensive adaptations.

What if my car is damaged in an accident?

Insurance covers repairs. You may have an excess to pay (typically £100-£500). RAC breakdown is included. Replacement vehicle provided during repair.

Can I return the car early?

Yes, at any time. There is no early termination fee. You just return the vehicle. The advance payment is non-refundable but the rest of the lease ends.

I have an electric car - what about charging?

Motability includes a home charger installation (worth £800-£1,500) for many electric vehicles. You pay for electricity. Some EVs include free public charging credit for first year.