A number of changes, which took effect on 1 January 2012, were announced recently in a statement from Motability’s Chairman, Lord Sterling.

The key changes to the Motability Scheme include:

• A streamlined selection of cars available, up to a maximum Advance Payment of £2,000. (This limit does not apply to wheelchair accessible vehicles).
• Our policy regarding nominated drivers is that they should live at or within five miles of your address.  We will, however, consider requests to include drivers outside of this range where this is essential to support your mobility needs.  In these cases, we will require additional information to be provided at the time of application or renewal. 
• Drivers under the age of 25 will be restricted to cars with an ABI Insurance Group 16 or lower and with a power output of 115 BHP or less.
• Nominated drivers under the age of 21 will only be permitted where they live with the disabled customer

The changes are designed to ensure that Motability provides clear policies, focused on the needs of the vast majority of customers. They will also help avoid misuse and misrepresentation of the Scheme.

There is no change for existing contracts, or nominated drivers named on current insurance certificates, for the remainder of existing leases.
 

If you are concerned about how these changes to the scheme could affect you contact one of our Lindsay Ford Motability Specialists at any of our 8 branches across Northern Ireland who will be happy to explain how the changes may impact you.