Drivers say ‘significant upfront costs and limited choice’ are already major barriers
Disabled drivers across the UK already struggling with the cost of motoring have been told changes to the Motability Scheme risk making the lifeline even harder to access. A Carwow investigation found that 92% of people with disabilities rely on driving but more than two thirds already avoid the Motability Scheme due to cost.
Siobhan Doyle, Consumer Writer at Carwow said: “Motability is often viewed as a ‘free car’ scheme, with a wide choice of vehicles, but the reality is very different. Only 59% of the disabled drivers we surveyed were eligible for the scheme in the first place, and of those, just a third have a car through the scheme, which is just 19% overall, with most citing significant upfront costs and limited choice as major barriers.”
Carwow data shows that for more than a third of disabled drivers, finding a car that meets their needs is the biggest challenge, while 28% say unaffordable vehicle adaptations are a key barrier.
From July 1, 2026, changes to the Motability Scheme – including reduced mileage allowances (30,000 miles over three years), higher excess mileage charges (25p per mile), and tighter cost limits – will apply to new customers. While intended to support the scheme’s long-term sustainability, there are growing concerns that they will add further strain for drivers already struggling to access suitable vehicles.
Siobhan said: “Our data shows that driving isn’t a luxury for disabled people – it’s essential. But many are already being squeezed by rising costs, limited choice and poor accessibility. There’s also a persistent misunderstanding around the scheme. The perception that disabled people are handed ‘free cars’ simply isn’t accurate, and it masks the real financial and practical challenges many face.
“With changes to Motability on the horizon, there’s a real risk these issues will deepen, leaving some drivers with fewer options and reduced independence. More broadly, this points to a widening gap between what disabled drivers need and what the current system delivers, particularly as costs increase and the shift to electric vehicles creates new accessibility hurdles.
“Without greater focus from policymakers and manufacturers on affordability, vehicle design and infrastructure, there’s a danger that access to mobility – and the independence it enables – will become even more limited.”
