A total of 2419 people in Mid Ulster area choose to spend their qualifying mobility allowance to lease a personal mobility solution through the Motability Scheme, according to figures from the Motability Foundation, the independent charity that oversees the scheme.

In 2024-2025, the Motability Foundation provided £2.3 million in individual grants to help many disabled people access mobility solutions across Northern Ireland.

Delivered by Motability Operations, a commercial organisation under contract to the Foundation, the scheme has supported approximately six million people to access life-changing independence since its inception almost 50 years ago.

Customers pay to lease a car, powered wheelchair or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) using their qualifying mobility allowance. Leases include insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.

Motability Foundation fund, support, research and innovate to help all disabled people make the journeys they choose. Credit: Motability Foundation

placeholder image — Motability Foundation fund, support, research and innovate to help all disabled people make the journeys they choose. Credit: Motability Foundation

Some vehicles require a one-off advance payment, paid for by the customer. The Foundation also offer a range of vehicles with no advance payment, allowing customers to lease a vehicle for no more than the cost of their weekly mobility allowance.

Most vehicles are available to lease for a three-year period. A WAV can be leased for up to five years.

At the end of a lease, vehicles are returned to Motability Operations who then sell them into the used car market at the best possible price.

All money made by the scheme is reinvested back into the scheme or to support disabled people’s access to mobility, helping to keep the scheme as affordable as possible for disabled people.

In Mid Ulster, 2419 individuals choose to spend their qualifying mobility allowance to lease a personal mobility solution through the Motability Scheme. Credit: Alistair Veryard

The scheme supports more than 915,000 people across the UK, and enables customers to access to work, education, healthcare, and connect with their local communities.

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The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed that VAT will apply to advance payments and that Insurance Premium Tax will also apply to new leases from the start of July.

A Motability Foundation spokesperson explained: “These tax changes will increase the cost of delivering the scheme by around £300 million a year, equivalent to approximately £1,100 per lease.

“We have therefore adjusted parts of the lease package to minimise cost increases for customers.

“Current leases will not be affected and most WAVs or cars with significant adaptations will continue to benefit from VAT concessions. Customers will need to complete a Customer Eligibility Declaration when they order a new vehicle to confirm if the VAT concession applies.”

Changes to the scheme include: a mileage allowance of 10,000 miles a year; a new tyre allowance of six tyres during a three-year lease, and, as has been the case for some time, and in line with existing requirements under UK and international law, customers who want to take their vehicle outside of the United Kingdom must request a VE103 through the scheme’s approved supplier, the RAC.

Customers will now be required to pay an annual administration fee of £22 when requesting this form; however, customers who live in Northern Ireland will have their fee waived on account of the needs of many to travel to and from the Republic of Ireland.

Scheme leases will continue to include servicing, maintenance, and UK breakdown cover.