We've been "Happy" members of the Motability scheme for over 18 years.
During that time, we've had six cars from five different manufacturers. And during that time, we haven't had one reason to regret our decision to join.
Initially, we joined to help Bridget remain independent, and that alone is, in my opinion, the most important reason to join the scheme. But we also love to travel, especially visiting new places in the UK. Apart from the last couple of years, we've always put our cars to good use. More importantly, as we are both now disabled, our car is a lifeline to the outside world.
Without a reliable car, we'd be housebound.
Along with a trusted wheelchair, our car is our legs. Extreme I know, but without sounding dramatic, a car is that important to us. As you can tell, we're big fans of the Motability scheme, and that's why I'd like to share what I think are the three most compelling reasons to join.
I won't go into the fine detail of the scheme; you can find that on the Motability website. But my first reason for joining is you can lease a new car every three years.
Who doesn't like a new car?
There is no way back then and now that we'd be able to afford a new car every three years. And that's one of the main benefits of the scheme; it's affordable. There are hundreds of cars on the scheme. Some require non-refundable advance payments, and some don't. If you cannot find a suitable car because the advance payment is too high, you can apply to Motability for financial assistance. They can help you find a suitable car or help you with the advance payment.
We've always paid an advance payment because we prefer bigger cars with seven seats. When the children were young, we needed seven seats and a large boot to carry Bridget's wheelchair. Also, Bridget struggles getting in and out of low down cars. Seven-seaters are generally higher up from the ground and easier to access. My point is, you are free to choose a car that suits your lifestyle, ability and circumstances.
If that's not enough, look at what else is included with your lease:
We've used all of these add-ons, and it's saved us a fortune.
If a standard car isn't suitable, or if you need adaptations. Motability can assess your needs and assist you with their fitting and cost. If a production car isn't suitable, Motability has the WAV scheme. A WAV (Wheelchair Adapted Vehicle) is a larger, often adapted vehicle. It means you can access the vehicle in your wheelchair, and you can be securely seated as a passenger or drive the car yourself.
My second reason for joining the Motability Scheme is the Peace of Mind it brings.
How often have you come out on a cold morning and found your car won't start? How many appointments have you missed because your car broke down on the way? And how many times have you been unable to afford a repair? It's much less stressful knowing your car is roadworthy and that almost all running costs are covered other than fuel. It's reassuring that if anything goes wrong with your car, a team of specialist advisers are on hand, ready to help. And it's so much easier when you haven't got to miss an important bill because your car needs fixing. If like us, you travel, you already know how stressful it can be. The last thing you want is an unreliable car.
Being a member of the scheme shields you from most of these motoring challenges, and to me, that is priceless.
My third and most important reason for joining the scheme is independence.
Thinking back to why we initially joined the scheme, Bridget needed to stay independent. I was out at work all day, and we couldn't afford to run a second car. The scheme meant Bridget could have a car and one that she could drive, given the limitations brought on by her illness.
As a young mum, she was able to take the children to school, nip to the shops and attend medical appointments. A Motability car meant she remained independent for many years before Rheumatoid Arthritis stopped her from driving. It’s not unreasonable to say that these additional years of independence wouldn't have been possible without Motability.
For us, the Motability scheme is invaluable.
Not just in monetary terms, although that's a reason in itself. But also the normality it has given us. Bridget would've been housebound from the age of 26 had it not been for the scheme.
What price can you put on that?
As a family, we've had 18 years of stress-free motoring. Of course, there has been the odd bump, numerous windscreens, and too many to remember flat tyres. But, we were never on our own. The scheme, specifically its advisers, and dealerships always came to our rescue. Joining Motability is arguably the best thing we ever did concerning our disabilities.
And that's why I have no hesitation recommending the scheme to you. Living with a disability is hard; there's no getting away from it. Anything you can do to alleviate the pressure has got to be a good thing. For us, and hopefully, for you, the Motability scheme has been a lifesaver.
I honestly can't imagine not being a member of it.
You can view all of our Motability offers by clicking here. Don't forget, we understand the best way to become familiar with a vehicle and discover if it is suitable for your needs is to test drive. That being said, finding the time to take a test drive can be difficult. With Peoples Ford Test Drive to You we can bring the test drive experience to you at home or work.
The Motability Scheme Benefits
If you are eligible for the scheme, Motability represents one of the best ways to enhance your personal autonomy, with superb value for money and specialist support for customers. No matter what your requirements may be, our team of experts are on hand to help answer any questions you have. Some of the great benefits include: