Motability is a scheme that enables disabled people and their families to become more mobile, courtesy of participating manufacturers doing special leasing deals to supply cars through it.
The scheme was founded in 1977 and participants can use the mobility component of their Disability Living allowance to put towards a new vehicle.
If the weekly lease cost of the car is less, then the recipient gets to keep the difference, while other, more expensive cars often require a deposit, or advanced payment, in order for customers to benefit from them.
Here are 10 of the best…
10. Mazda 3 SE-L Nav
The 2.0-litre Mazda 3 is one of the largest cars on the Motability scheme that is available with no advance payment. It’s powerful, spacious and terrifically good fun to drive for a family hatchback. The SE-L Nav is also very well equipped, with an advanced infotainment system including integrated sat nav.
9. Hyundai Tucson 1.6 GDi BlueDrive S
Opt for the Tucson with zero advance payment and you get the 1.6-litre Blue Drive S, which has most of the kit you’re likely to need, along with a large boot and a spacious cabin. Add an extra £99 and you can specify the SE model, which comes with a much higher level of standard equipment. Ether way, you get a decent crossover SUV, which is also extremely easy to get in and out of.
8. Vauxhall Astra
The full Motability allowance will get you behind the wheel of a 1.4 SRi Turbo, which is the most rewarding car to drive in the Vauxhall Astra line-up. It also comes with the brand’s OnStar concierge service and Intellilink infotainment system, which is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
7. MG 3 From Sport 1.5
It’s something of a leftfield choice, but the MG 3 makes a lot of sense as a Motability car, as it’s available for £9.75 less than the standard weekly allowance – if you’re a low mileage driver, then that may well be enough to pay for your petrol or at least make a contribution towards the running costs. The MG 3 is quite an agile little car to drive, too.
6. Dacia Logan MCV 1.0 SCe
The Logan MCV won’t win any beauty pageants, but it’s the Motability car that puts the most money back into your pocket, available for a total of £11.00 a week less than the scheme’s full Disabled Living Allowance. Add in the fact that it has a substantial-sized boot, idea for wheelchair users, and a spacious cabin and you can see why it’s a big hit.
5. Nissan Juke Acenta Automatic
The Juke automatic in Acenta specification comes in at £1.25 below the basic Motability allowance, making it one of the best vehicles on the scheme with a self-shifting transmission. The Juke also has a nice high cabin, making it ideal for those with mobility problems, not least because its footprint is no greater than that of a small hatchback.
4. Volkswagen Golf
This is the only car on our list that costs more than the basic Motability allowance, but the good news is that the only additional payment you need to make to get behind the wheel of the Golf SE NAV is £49 – for that, you get a well-equipped, smartly finished high quality hatchback with satellite navigation included.
3. Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech Active
Peugeot’s baby crossover has just had a mid-life facelift and has become one of the most handosme small SUVs on the market as a result. With no advance payment, the Motability scheme allows you to get behind the wheel of the 1.2 PureTech Active model, while an additional £99 will get you behind the wheel of the better-specced Allure.
2. Honda Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC SE CVT
The Jazz is an excellent supermini by anyone’s standards, but it really shines as a Motability car thanks to its spacious, practical cabin, ease of access for passengers and bigger than average boot. In addition, the Motability allowance will go as far as to cover the cost of renting a CVT version, which is one of our favourite small automatics.
1. Audi A3 1.0 TFSI Technik
The A3 has to be the pick of the cars available on Motability without any advance payment, especially as the 1.0 TFSI Technik isn’t even the base model. It’s a highly desirable compact hatchback that’s great to drive, great to look at and extremely stylish. While the Motability scheme exists primarily to give those who need it greater mobility, the A3 proves that you can still get a great car through it.