Different things can affect how quickly you’re contacted and get a vehicle, like high demand, where you are and bad weather. Switch will always give you a replacement as soon as they can.
Replacement travel
There might be some situations when you cannot use your vehicle temporarily. For example, if your vehicle is being repaired, or you've broken down.
We'll do our best to give you as suitable a replacement as possible or we’ll offer you other solutions for your essential travel needs.
We’ll always try to help, but we recommend you rearrange non-essential appointments and let family, friends or carers know if you need support while your vehicle is unavailable.
Most replacement vehicles are small five-door cars. If this is not suitable because of your disability or adaptations, please mention this when you ask for a replacement. We might not always be able to give you something that suits your needs, but we’ll offer you alternatives.
Need help with replacement travel?
Answer a few questions about your circumstances. Then we’ll show you which options could work for you and your next steps.
- Jump to section
Routine servicing and repairs
For routine servicing and repairs, try to give your dealer as much notice as possible. If you give them at least three weeks' notice, they'll try to give you one of their courtesy cars. You can find your dealer information in your online account or on our dealer page.
If you give less notice or your dealer does not have a replacement available, they might be able to help by offering other solutions.
Your vehicle needs to be off the road for more than 24 hours for them to arrange this.
If you break down
Once you've told the RAC you've broken down and they've come to you, if the patrol decides your vehicle is not driveable they’ll let the RAC know. The RAC will talk to you about your continuous mobility needs. They may offer taxi support, or a hire car, if your Scheme car is off the road for longer than 48 hours (72 hours for WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle).
Different things can affect how quickly you’re contacted and get a vehicle, like high demand, where you are and bad weather. Switch will always give you a replacement as soon as they can.
While your insurance repairs happen
If you want to talk about your insurance claim or arrangements for a replacement vehicle, sign in to your Motability Scheme online account use the 'Chat now' option within the DLM Insurance Portal.
Or you can call 0300 037 3737.
The hire car provider will always give you a replacement as soon as they can, but how quickly you’re contacted and get a vehicle depends on things like high demand, where you are and bad weather.
If your vehicle has been 'written off'
This means it’s been damaged to the point that repairs do not make financial sense. Or it was stolen, and you could not get it back.
We understand this can be difficult for you. We’ll do our best to give you as suitable a replacement as possible, or we’ll offer you other solutions for your essential travel needs. You will also need to pay your excess.
If we give you a hire car, you’ll need to find, apply for and get your next Scheme vehicle within three months. This means you’ll need to collect or get it delivered before then.
You’ll need to apply for your next Scheme vehicle within 14 days of our insurers letting you know your current Scheme vehicle has been ‘written off’. Make sure you know the delivery times first. You can try similar cars from other manufacturers if it’s a long wait.
Can I ask for a specific type of vehicle?
We'll try to give you a replacement to suit your needs, but it might not be possible to give you a specific type of vehicle.
If you have a car
Most replacements are small five-door cars, like a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa.
If this is not suitable because of your disability or adaptations, please mention this when you ask for a replacement. We'll do our best to help but our priority is to find a solution to keep you mobile. Your contract does not guarantee a like-for-like replacement.
If you have a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle)
If you cannot drive your WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle for more than 48 hours because it's being repaired, we'll try to give you a replacement to suit your needs.
Because WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicles are specialised and converted, we might not be able to give you a like-for-like WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
If a replacement is not suitable for you, or your WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle is likely to be off the road for less than 48 hours, we'll try to find an accessible taxi for you, to keep you mobile.
Using a replacement vehicle
If you're given a replacement vehicle by a repairer or dealer you will not be asked to pay anything, unless they need a fuel deposit or for loss, damage or charges to the hire car
The car will usually already have a certain amount of fuel and you'll be asked to return it with the same amount of fuel.
If it's a vehicle from a hire car company, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Things to consider
- Fuel deposit: any car given to you by the RAC, our insurance provider, or us will have a full tank of fuel or electric charge when you receive it. It must be returned with a full tank or fuel or electric charge or you will be charged the refuel amount. You will need to provide your card details during the booking, and this will be used to make payment for any fuel charges
- Fuel charges: if the car is collected from you, you'll need to pay the cost of the fuel or electric charge used to get back to the depot. Hire car companies charge premium rates for fuel and electric plus an admin fee and you'll be charged for the outstanding amount
- Insurance: your replacement vehicle will be covered by your Scheme vehicle's insurance, so you do not need to arrange additional cover. Only drivers on your Certificate of Motor Insurance are insured to drive and your drivers need to be able to show a valid driving licence
- Liability: you'll need to sign a rental agreement and extension liability form. This means you're responsible for any loss, damage or charges to the hire car
- You will also need to provide your driving licence details during the booking, so please have this to hand during the booking call
Other charges
- Penalties, fines and charges: you're responsible for these. If you do not pay these when contacted, it could affect you getting another car on the Scheme
- London Congestion Charge: if you're planning to travel within these zones while you have a replacement vehicle, you'll need to register the car with Transport for London (TFL) first. You can register on their website(opens in a new window)
- Dartford Crossing charge: If you're in a replacement vehicle, you'll still need to pay a toll charge to use the Dartford Crossing. You can register the car with the Dartford Crossing(opens in a new window) to do this. If you receive a charge notice, call our customer service team on 0300 456 4566 and they will be able to support. You will have to pay an admin fee to cancel this.
Make sure you return anything your hire car came with, such as the parcel shelf and any spare keys.
Planned maintenance and replacement travel
We do not offer a hire car or taxi for planned maintenance.
Planned maintenance includes your service, MOT, and routine work like brake fluid top ups. It usually takes a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours.
Because this work is planned, you can book it in advance at a time that minimises disruption.
What are your options?
You have a few ways to stay mobile:
- You might be able to wait at the dealer. MOTs usually take around one and a half hours, and services one to two hours
- Family or friends might be able to help with lifts
- You can book your MOT up to 90 days in advance, so you can choose a day that suits you
- Some dealers offer weekend bookings
- Your dealer might offer a courtesy car if you give them enough notice
- You might have a Kwik Fit closer to you that can carry out your MOT