Question 1

What are the benefits of the Motability Scheme? What does it include?

Accepted Answer

Under the Motability scheme, you could soon take ownership of a top-of-the-range BMW or MINI with all these benefits included in your lease:

A new BMW or MINI every 3 years with 60,000 mileage allowance
Choice of manual or automatic transmission
A wide choice of adaptations, with many at no extra cost when fitted at the start of your lease
Insurance with up to two named drivers so that a family member, friend or carer can also drive your BMW or MINI
Servicing and maintenance
Full RAC breakdown assistance
Annual car tax
Windscreen and tyre replacement

Question 2

Who is eligible for the Motability Car Scheme?

Accepted Answer

To join the Motability Scheme, you must receive one of the following disability allowances with at least 12 months remaining when you apply - if you have less, you'll need to wait until your allowance provider renews your allowance:

Higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Enhanced rate mobility part of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

You cannot apply if you receive a lower rate or component of mobility allowance, or Attendance Allowance. If you receive DLA and have been instructed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to apply for PIP, you also cannot apply. You won’t be affected if you already have a Motability vehicle.

Parents of children (from the age of three) and non-drivers can apply to join, but the vehicle must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person.

View Dick Lovett’s BMW Motability offers, or if you're interested in a MINI, view our MINI Motability offers here, or contact our friendly team today to see if you’re eligible.

Question 3

What makes Dick Lovett&rsquo;s Motability scheme different?

Accepted Answer

By using the Motability Scheme through Dick Lovett BMW or Dick Lovett MINI you can be confident support is on hand whenever you need it.

Our service doesn’t end when you collect your new car. The teams continue to support you and take care of all your Motability car’s servicing and maintenance needs to the high-quality standards you rightly expect from BMW and MINI.

We also offer all Motability customers a free Vehicle Health Check which includes a Tyre Tread Check, Air Top Up, Oil and Water Check, Wash and Vac. To book a check, just contact our Motability teams at Dick Lovett BMW and Dick Lovett MINI.

The Dick Lovett benefits also include:

Motability-trained advisers to guide you
Easy access to our Motability centres
Great range of BMW and MINI models to choose from and test drive
Mobility adaptations to meet your specific needs
Ongoing support and aftercare

Our BMW and MINI Motability teams can help you choose the BMW or MINI best suited to your needs. They will be on hand to guide you through each step of the process from your application, all the way through to collecting of your new BMW or MINI Motability car.

In addition, each Dick Lovett BMW and Dick Lovett MINI Motability centre has disabled parking close to the entrance.

The BMW and MINI ranges give you a huge choice of size, specification and comfort so you’re bound to find a Motability car that’s just right for you. Features such as automatic transmission, push button ignition and height-adjustable seating positions can all help make driving, or travelling, easier. Get in touch to arrange a test drive.

If you need adaptations made to your BMW or MINI to make it safer or more comfortable to use, you'll be pleased to know that many adaptation costs are included in the cost of your BMW or MINI Motability car. Any that are not are paid for as part of your Advance Payment.

If you want to check your vehicle’s tyres, air or oil, just contact our Mobility team to book a free health check. We can also help keep your Motability car in top condition with our comprehensive servicing and maintenance services.

Question 4

What is BMW Motability advance payment?

Accepted Answer

BMW Motability Advance Payment is an integral part of the Motability Scheme which allows you the option of selecting a luxurious car, such as a BMW X1, which would otherwise not be covered by the standard Motability Allowance. If you’re wondering what the Motability advance payment is, why it is needed, how it is worked out, or if there is any way to reduce the cost to you, this should help to answer your query.

Definition of a Motability advance payment -

The Motability advance payment is a one-off payment at the start of a Motability contract to cover the additional cost of a large and or luxurious vehicle where the total cost would not otherwise be covered by the standard Motability payments.

Question 5

Why is a Motability advance payment needed?

Accepted Answer

The Motability scheme is available to people in receipt of any of the following benefits:

Motability Allowance
DLA - Higher rate mobility
PIP - Enhanced rate mobility
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
Armed Forces Independence Payment

You can choose a wide range of vehicles with the Motability scheme, all the way up to a BMW X1 and beyond. The Motability Allowance is a fixed amount, regardless of the value of the car you choose, and optional extras or adaptations are available to suit your needs. Rather than limit the cars available, the Motability scheme allows you to trade up with an advance payment. As such, the Advance Payment is not a deposit and is therefore non-refundable.

Question 6

How is the advance payment calculated?

Accepted Answer

The Advance payment is agreed between the manufacturers and Motability. The level of Advance Payment is decided by the vehicle you choose, combined with other factors such as the anticipated cost of servicing and maintenance, and the typical resale value when the lease agreement ends.

How to reduce the advance payment cost -

It may be that you’d like a particular car but would like to find ways to reduce the advance payment cost. The easiest way to do this is to take advantage of Dick Lovett offers. We occasionally add cars with zero advanced payment options - take a look at our Motability finance deals page to find out more.

Question 7

What is Motability Advance Payment?

Accepted Answer

The Advance Payment is a fixed upfront payment required for certain vehicles, in addition to your weekly mobility allowance.

This payment is non-refundable and is determined when you order your car based on factors such as the vehicle's cost, maintenance, and expected value at the end of the lease. It is required because your mobility allowance may not fully cover the cost of larger or more expensive vehicles.

The payment is made in one lump sum directly to your Motability Scheme dealer, either before or on the day you receive your vehicle.

View Dick Lovett’s BMW Motability offers, or if you're interested in a MINI, view our MINI Motability offers here, or contact our friendly team today to find out more.

Question 8

Can you lease a Motability car for 6 years?

Accepted Answer

Most Motability leases run for three years although for wheelchair accessible vehicles it is usually five years. When the three-year lease runs out you can renew it with another contract.

In certain circumstances, e.g. if you have driven very few miles, or if the vehicle has had significant modifications to make it suitable for your needs, you may be able to extend your existing contract for one or two years. You need at least twelve months left on your mobility payments award to be able to take out a Motability contract.

Question 9

Can I get a Mobility car?

Accepted Answer

If you are in receipt of a qualifying mobility allowance then you can exchange that allowance for a Motability vehicle. There are four types of allowance which qualify you for the Motability scheme.

Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).

If you need any special modifications made to your vehicle to allow you to drive it this can be done at the start of your agreement.

Question 10

How much does the Motability Scheme cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost varies greatly depending on the vehicle you choose. Using the Motability scheme, there are a number of cars which cost less than your mobility payments and other cars which cost the whole payment, notably the base models in the MINI range.

If you desire a larger or more luxurious car, for example, a BMW, you can include an advance payment which will vary depending on the value of the car and a number of other factors.

Question 11

Is the Motability Scheme worth it?

Accepted Answer

This depends on many factors but if you need a vehicle to get around and you qualify for one of the above mobility payments, then the Motability scheme is arguably the best way to get you mobile in the car you want.

It avoids the stress of wondering how much things will cost because all the costs, such as insurance and servicing, are built into the contract, plus the insurance covers up to two drivers.

Question 12

What happens if you damage a Motability car?

Accepted Answer

Since it is a form of contract hire, you will need to maintain the car in good condition allowing for reasonable wear and tear. You should make sure you have proper repairs done if the vehicle is damaged in an accident. Returning the vehicle at the end of the contract with damage could result in additional charges. If the vehicle is returned in particularly good condition you may even be eligible for a “good condition bonus”.

Examples of fair wear and tear include minor scuffs, stone chips etc, including any minor damage caused by wheelchairs or crutches being knocked against the car. Things that would not be considered fair wear include deep dents and scratches to bodywork, burns or tears to the interior or large cracks in plastic trim. If you are in any doubt, get in touch and ask.

Motability Questions

Our cookies

Our cookies