Several top car brands are being cut from the scheme
Top-end car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are set to be removed from the Motability Scheme in a significant revamp announced by Labour and Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget. The scheme, which provides a vital service for around 860,000 disabled motorists in the UK, allows individuals to lease cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles, scooters and wheelchairs using their enhanced mobility allowance.
The programme is recognised for enhancing freedom and independence for disabled drivers, but the Government has now announced significant changes. From December, motorists will no longer have access to Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz cars through the scheme.
In a major overhaul, all coupé and convertible models will also be ineligible for selection. Motorists will not be able to place orders for cars exiting the scheme from 1st December.
However, orders can be submitted until 5pm on Sunday 30th November if customers already have a Motability appointment booked. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the alterations to the Motability Scheme in her Autumn Budget on Wednesday, stating that significant changes were necessary, reports the Express.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Reeves said: “The Motability Scheme was set up to protect the most vulnerable, not to subsidise the lease on a Mercedes-Benz. So I am making reforms which will reduce generous taxpayer subsidies and Motabilty has confirmed they will remove luxury vehicles from their scheme, getting the scheme back to its original purpose of offering cost effective leases to disabled people.”
A fresh pledge will ensure that a minimum of half of all vehicles leased through the programme annually will be manufactured in Britain from 2035 onwards. Motability Operations plans to collaborate closely with UK-based car makers to boost the proportion of British-manufactured vehicles leased by customers.
Andrew Miller, Chief Executive of Motability Operations, said: “The Motability Scheme makes a difference to disabled people’s lives every day and our customers tell us it is a lifeline to freedom and independence. Working with government and the automotive sector, we want to do even more to support the economy and our ambitious commitment should put British car manufacturing into top gear.”
Certain manufacturers stand to gain from this initiative, with British-built Nissan vehicles expected to double to approximately 40,000 models. The Japanese car maker has welcomed the announcement and expressed strong support for the changes.
James Taylor, Managing Director of Nissan GB, stated: “Nissan welcomes Motability’s commitment to buy British-built cars and its support for UK manufacturing. As a long-standing partner, we recognise the crucial role the Motability Scheme plays in helping disabled people remain mobile and independent. We look forward to working with Motability to deliver its ambitious goals.”
Full list of cars no longer included in the Motability Scheme
- Alfa Romeo Junior
- Alfa Romei Tonale
- Audi Q2
- Audi A1 Sportback
- Audi A3 Sportback
- Audi A3 Saloon
- Audi Q3
- Audi Q4 E-Tron
- Audi Q4 Sportback E-tron
- BMW 1 Series
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW X1
- BMW X2
- BMW i4
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
- BMW iX1
- BMW iX2
- Lexus LBX
- Lexus RZ
- Lexus UX
- Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
- Mercedes-Benz GLA
- Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe
- Mercedes-Benz EQA
- Mercedes-Benz GLB
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