Additional choice for those who need specialised vehicles or adaptations to their car

Motability, which has the key role in enabling independent mobility for disabled people, has announced its widest ever range of affordable cars and services. The biggest change is the additional choice for those who need specialised vehicles or adaptations in their car. The changes, being introduced from 1 October 2006, will provide much lower prices for those with greater levels of disability.

Explaining the improvements to the Motability Scheme, at the 28th Annual General Meeting, Lord Sterling, Chairman of the Board of Governors, said:

“The Motability Scheme was founded to provide independent mobility – the road to freedom – for disabled people. It has already exceeded all our expectations in meeting this aim. The key changes that we are announcing today greatly improve the affordability of adaptations, wheelchair accessible vehicles and other cars such as automatics that are popular with our customers. This will help to ensure that our customers who need adaptations to their cars can get the most out of the Scheme.

The Motability Scheme already offers the best value for money. The new arrangements ensure the most comprehensive choice for any disabled person thinking of getting a new car, regardless of what their individual requirements might be. In my view this is one of the most significant developments since we started in 1977. The enhancements address the needs of disabled motorists who have not been able to take full advantage of the benefits of the Motability Scheme. We will continue to use every endeavour to improve value for money of the Scheme.”

Under the new arrangements, thousands of customers will benefit from enhanced choice and pricing. Customers leasing a car through the hassle-free Motability contract hire Scheme will now be offered:

• Popular adaptations, such as push-pull hand controls and left-foot accelerators, at no additional cost in the current price guide
• Further extensive adaptations at more affordable rates, including a Brig Ayd Powered Boot Hoist, down from £895 to £395, and the Elap Swivel Seat at £300 from £800
• Manufacturer-fitted adaptations, starting with the Toyota swivel seat, as an option when ordering the car
• An increased range of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) at highly competitive rates. The Doblo Aspen 1.4 LF is now available at nil Advance Payment down from £1,278, and the Kangoo 1.6 automatic is down from £2,028 to £500
• A larger range of automatic cars at nil Advance Payment, such as the Ford Focus LX 1.6 and Skoda Fabia 1.4.

Following the first stage of changes in October 2006, Motability will introduce further support to customers requiring adaptations, such as access to individual assessments and familiarisation lessons. These further benefits will be implemented in early 2007.

Welcoming the developments, Ed Passant, Chief Executive of the Forum of Mobility Centres says:

“These improvements to the pricing and choice of adaptations on the Motability leasing Scheme, encompassing everything from automatic cars through to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, are an extremely positive development. I particularly welcome the news that popular adaptations are being offered at no additional cost for the customer in the current price guide. Motability has made a significant development towards an overall goal of our industry which is to ensure that disabled people, regardless of their individual requirements, are able to drive or access an affordable, reliable car to increase their mobility.”

The increased selection of automatic models, and the range of adaptations available at no additional cost as part of the contract-hire lease, will be included in the next quarterly price list published on 1st October 2006. The enhanced choice and value for customers requiring other adaptations will also come into effect on this date.

For more information about Motability please call 0800 093 1000 or visit www.motability.co.uk .