I can get a mobility care as I get high rate PIP. I will get my support worker to pick the car as she will be driving mostly and I'm not bothered what brand of car it is as along as it has 4 door and doesn't drink petrol.
What are the benefits of having a mobility car? I can go to the seaside when I have a long shift on a Thursday and Sunday.
How much benefits does a mobility take every month?
The benefits of a motability car are numerous: a new car every 3 years that you don't have to worry about the cost of tax, insurance, servicing, MOT or breakdown (you get priority in the event of a breakdown). However, the cost (in my experience) is your monthly PIP component. So bear this in mind if you need that money for anything else, mobility wise. You will also have to pay for fuel (and oil/windscreen wash).
Depending on the car that you choose (there's a Motability specific list available on their website), you may have to pay an advance fee. This is non refundable. It is a lease scheme, so you will never own the car and the car must be returned quite quickly if you become ineligible for whatever reason.
There are rules about the use of the car and who can drive it. It can only be driven by named drivers, for the purposes of the person for whom the car is leased. When we had one, there were limits on the distance away that named drivers could live.
All in all it is a great scheme but it may not be right for everyone in all circumstances.
Just a quick point. If your support worker is picking the car make sure they are only 'allowed' to pick a car within your mobility allowance otherwise you will have to pay the extra. Also make sure that your worker can be listed as a driver (holds a valid UK drivung licence), on the scheme you can nominate 3 people to be insured to drive your car. The scheme allows you you pick loads of different models but these come at a cost. Most mobility cars cost all of your mobility allowance. There are some that are cheaper than the mobility allowance. The hybrids are a good option..may cost more weekly but petrol costs reduced. Regarding cost, in my opinion, I'd consider how you want to use the car. If its regular and frequent mileage, opt for a higher weekly price but lower petrol costs...if its less frequent use have a low weekly cost but higher mileage cost. Xx
Hi there, my daughter has a Motability car and her PA drives it when she takes her out, I drive it for her any other time.It's pretty easy to add the PA as a driver, they do ask if they have any driving offences or points on their licence.
I wouldn't leave it entirely up the the PA which car to choose, I would look at the reviews and see what others say. My daughter has a Seat Arona which is pretty economical and has good boot space for a smaller car.
The advance payments are something that you need to consider when choosing a car. Bear in mind that some of them are quite a chunk of money nowadays. And you don't get it back when your time is up and you are looking to get a new car (though you do get a good condition bonus if your car is in good condition, though that's not a great deal I think it's about £250 basic amount).
Bear in mind also that if your PA has her own car to take you out in and you just pay mileage think about whether you would prefer to spend your benefits on other things. You should also be able to get a free bus pass for you and a carer if you don't have that already. Bear in mind also that you don't know how long this particular support worker will be working with you. They do sometimes move on to other jobs, leave the area or have family issues, illness or other change of circumstances. Another support worker could take over driving it but like someone else said, it's better to get other opinions and look at reviews rather than let the support worker choose the car.
I’m thinking about Peugeot 208. I live in supported living, I will have 3 named drivers, these staff have been here a long time. Service users are not allowed in own cars.
Good luck with your choice. Hope it gives you more freedom.
supported living and benefit entitlement 
My daughter cannot afford her supported living home.
UTC, PIP and residential college
Being moved onto Universal Credit
