WAV stands for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. This means you can travel in the vehicle while seat in your wheelchair

Getting your next vehicle

As you reach the end of your lease, you might be thinking about getting your next Motability Scheme car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle).

Illustration of a dealership

How long will my new lease be?

Scheme leases usually run for three years from the date you got your car, or five years from the date you got your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. You’ll see this date on your lease agreement.

We’ll send you a letter to remind you it's time to choose a new Scheme car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

When you order your next car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, we’ll check there are no issues with your current lease and that you’re still receiving your qualifying mobility allowance.

If you'd like to keep your current car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for longer, we might be able to extend your current lease.


Your steps to a new car

Choosing a car

You can choose from a wide range of cars from many top manufacturers. We have some cars with no Advance Payment too.

Three months before the end of your lease

You can start applying online from the comfort of home. Or you can go straight to your dealer.

Sign in to your Motability Scheme online account or create one to start applying.

You can enter details about you, your allowance and your drivers. All before you visit the dealer.

This will give the dealer more time to focus on finding the right car for you.

Sign in(opens in a new window)

Create an account(opens in a new window)

Your next steps

  • Think about whether you’ll need adaptations. Some are transferable if you already have them fitted to your Scheme car
  • If you're thinking about ordering a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle as your next vehicle, you might be eligible for our 'Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Experience' to help you decide if a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is right for you. Call us on 0300 456 4566 for more information
  • Find a dealer and make an appointment
  • Take a test drive to make sure the car you’re interested in is suitable for you
  • Make sure your name and address are up to date with both the DVLA and your allowance provider
  • Order your car with your dealer. Make sure you tell them about anyone you want to drive, including yourself, if you did not already do this in your online account
  • We'll need a few days to check your application
  • Check the progress of your application in your Motability Scheme online account

Your drivers

Remember there are a few rules around who can drive your car.

This includes some restrictions if you're under 25:

  • For petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, you can only get a vehicle with an ABI Insurance Group rating of 16 or lower and a power output of 120 brake horsepower (bhp) or less
  • For electric cars, you can only get a vehicle with an ABI Insurance Group rating of 21 or lower and a power output of 140 bph or less

Order your new car

Whether you start applying online, or you decide to go straight to your dealer, see what you'll need to bring.

When you have two months to go

Your dealer should have already contacted you to arrange an MOT test for your current car (unless you live in Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man).

If this has not happened, please contact them as soon as possible to book the test.

Learn how MOTs work

Look out for your new Personal Identification Number (PIN). You'll use it to 'sign' all the paperwork, so it's important you keep it safe and have it to hand when you get your new vehicle.

You can see your PIN in your online account, and we'll post it to you too.

When you have one month left

If you have adaptations fitted to your vehicle, you do not have to remove them, but if you want to, please arrange this with your adaptations installer.

You're responsible for the costs involved and you’ll need to pay these to the adaptations installer.

If your vehicle has lots of adaptations, you might be able to extend your lease for up to two more years. The easiest way to see your options and ask for a lease extension is in the ‘Current lease' section in your Motability Scheme online account.

Keep in touch with your dealer or supplier about when your vehicle will be ready. If there's a delay, we'll arrange for you to keep your vehicle until the new one is ready.

Getting your next car

Remember to bring your driving licence and the letter we sent you with your PIN. If you've lost your PIN, you can see this in your online account.

Return your current car to your dealer and hand back any documents and equipment that was given to you with the car.

These could include:

  • The manufacturer handbook
  • Spare keys (including any red keys)
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • A tyre inflation kit
  • Radio or key codes
  • Satellite navigation SD card
  • Remote controls
  • Parcel shelves
  • Extra seats

Your dealer will check your car. If it's in good condition you could receive a payment a few weeks later.

Check that you and your nominated drivers are on your new insurance cover note.

Make sure the dealer has your correct contact details so they can contact you during your lease with important information, like reminders.

Before you enter your PIN, there are a few things you need to check.

Then drive it away and enjoy your freedom.

If you were on the Scheme from 31 December 2021, you might also qualify for a £750 New Vehicle Payment when you get your next Scheme car.


Your steps to a new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Choosing a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

The vehicles used and how they can be converted will have changed since your last order.

There will be different options that might suit your needs better during your next lease.

Things to consider in your current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

  • Is your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle suitable for the size of your wheelchair?
  • Are you happy with your position inside?
  • Can you fit everything you need or would you prefer more space this time?
  • Is it better for you to access your vehicle from the rear or the side?

Browse our Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Five months before the end of your lease

If you're currently leasing a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and you’re in the last year of your lease, you're likely starting to think about your next vehicle.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle leases generally run for five years. You can see your end date on your lease agreement.

Five months before the end of your lease, we’ll send you a letter to remind you it's time to start thinking about your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

We’ll also send you a guide about leasing your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle to help you choose a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle that best fits your needs.

It’s a good idea to start contacting Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle suppliers as soon as possible. This will give you plenty of time to try a range of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and find the most suitable one for you.

When you have three months to go

We’ll send you another letter three months before the end of your lease, to let you know you can apply.

If you'd like to keep your current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for longer, we might be able to extend your current lease.

Your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier will contact you to arrange an MOT. You need to get this done before you hand your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back or extend your lease.

If you've decided not to get another Scheme Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, you’ll need to arrange to hand your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back to a Motability dealer. It does not need to be a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier or the same manufacturer. If this is not possible for you, please call our customer services team on 0300 456 4566.

Your next steps

You can start applying online from the comfort of home and to save time when you speak to your supplier. Or you can go straight to your supplier.

Make sure your name and address are up to date with both the DVLA and your allowance provider.

Talk to a supplier

Our suppliers are nationwide and will come to your home. They'll show you a demonstration and let you test drive any Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle you're interested in, to make sure it’s right for you.

Remember, you can contact as many Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle suppliers as you like and you do not need to use the same one you used before.

The supplier you choose will take your old Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back, even if they did not give it to you.

If you have not already started talking to our Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle suppliers, contact them soon to talk about your needs.

Find a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier

Start applying in your online account

To save time on the day, you can start applying from the comfort of home with the Motability Scheme online account.

You can enter details about you, your allowance and your drivers. All before you speak to a supplier.

This will give your supplier more time to focus on finding the right Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for you.

You can only do this if you do not have an appointee.

Sign in(opens in a new window)

Create an account(opens in a new window)

Once you've ordered your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, you can also track your application in your online account.

Order your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Whether you start applying online, or you decide to go straight to your supplier, see what you’ll need to have ready.

When you order, make sure you tell them about anyone you want to drive, including yourself, if you did not already do this in your online account.

We'll need a few days to check your application.

Book an MOT for your current vehicle

You still need to have an MOT test before you give your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back. Your supplier will contact you to arrange this.

We cover the cost of the test and any routine repairs as part of your lease.

Removing adaptations

If you have adaptations fitted you do not need to remove them before you hand your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back.

If you want to remove them, please arrange this with your adaptations installer.

Look out for your new PIN

You'll use your PIN to 'sign' your new paperwork electronically. So it's important you keep it safe and have it to hand when your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is delivered to your home.

You easily can see your PIN in your Motability Scheme online account. We'll also send this to you in a letter about your new lease.

Keep in touch with your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier

When you have a month to go, it's a good idea to talk to your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier to check everything's on schedule.

If there's a delay, they can arrange for you to keep your vehicle until your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is ready.

Getting your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Your supplier will give you a tour of your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and answer any questions you have.

Just like when you got your last Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, you'll need to show your driving licence, plus the letter we sent you with your PIN.

Before you give your PIN, make sure you're happy with everything about your new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

Hand your current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back

On delivery day you'll need to hand your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle back and any equipment that came with it, like spare keys and your locking wheel nut key.

The supplier will check its condition. If it's in good condition, you could receive a Good Condition Payment a few weeks later.

If you were on the Scheme from 31 December 2021, you might also qualify for our £750 New Vehicle Payment when you get your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle on the Scheme.

After delivery

Around one month after delivery, your supplier will contact you to offer a home visit to check you're happy with everything, and to answer any questions you might have about your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

Related FAQs

How do I apply and can I change my mind?

Get in touch with a your dealer or supplier to make, change or cancel your application.

Read more

How long will it take to get my new vehicle?

When you get your vehicle depends on the manufacturer and model you choose.

Read more

What is the average miles per gallon (MPG) for a vehicle?

Find out each vehicle's MPG when you search or the manufacturer's website.

Read more

Which colours can I get a vehicle in?

Your dealer can tell you which colour and paint finishes each vehicle can have.

Read more

Can I smoke in my vehicle?

You can smoke in your vehicle unless someone under 18 is with you.

Read more

What is a statement of responsibilities and suitability confirmation form?

The form helps us make sure no one misuses their Scheme vehicle.

Read more

What is a manual driving check?

When you apply to lease a Scheme vehicle, we’ll check the licence of each proposed driver.

Read more