Take the time to prepare thoroughly—choosing the right car is important, as it’s likely a decision you’ll live with for years. Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used car privately or through the Motability Scheme, it’s a significant investment that deserves careful thought to ensure you make the best choice from the start.

Large, medium, or small car? Saloon, hatchback, estate, MPV, or 4×4? Choosing the right type of vehicle depends on your needs and lifestyle.

Consider the cost of insurance, as it can vary significantly depending on the car—especially important for young or inexperienced drivers. If you’re using the Motability Scheme, insurance is included, but younger drivers may have limited options for vehicle choice.

Decide whether you prefer or need an automatic or a manual vehicle. Think about seating—how many seats do you need, and are they comfortable enough for long journeys? High seats can make getting in and out easier from a standing position, while lower seats may be better suited for wheelchair transfers.

Finally, ensure the car provides good visibility. Can you see out comfortably, and do you have a clear view behind and to the sides when reversing?

Determine what you can afford, whether paying outright, covering HP repayments, or contributing to the Motability Scheme—keeping in mind that this may involve using the mobility component of your PIP to cover the lease. Factor in additional expenses such as insurance, road tax, maintenance, servicing, tyres, and breakdown recovery.

Also, consider the running costs of different vehicles, as factors like fuel consumption and insurance group can significantly impact overall expenses. Additionally, think about the environmental impact of your choice—you might want to explore options like hybrid or battery-electric vehicles for a more eco-friendly solution.

Are you able to operate the standard controls in a manual or automatic car? If this is physically challenging or causes discomfort, there are numerous adaptations available to make driving easier. Options such as hand controls, steering balls, left-foot accelerators, or remote secondary control keypads are just some of the solutions commonly offered to enhance accessibility and comfort.

Additional handles can be installed to assist with standing when getting out of the car. For those transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat, a transfer board or a fitted transfer plate can bridge the gap, making the process safer and more comfortable. Other solutions include fitting a swivel seat, an electric rise-and-fall device, or a system that allows the wheelchair seat to slide directly into the car, enabling you to stay seated in the same chair throughout.

Make sure that the car has a big enough boot or wide enough doors if you are going to carry it inside the car.

Wheelchair hoists can be installed to lift the chair into and out of the boot or even into the car’s interior. For those needing to load a wheelchair from the driver’s seat, a roof-mounted “top box” is another option, where a hoist lifts and securely stores the wheelchair in the overhead compartment.

When buying a car privately, you eventually own it outright. However, if you choose the Motability Scheme, the car is leased, and you’ll need to return it at the end of the lease term. At that point, you can opt to lease a new vehicle through the scheme. The cost of the lease is covered by transferring the mobility component of your PIP award to Motability.

One key advantage of the Motability Scheme is that it includes insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance, and the cost of basic adaptations—all bundled into the lease. In contrast, when purchasing privately, you are responsible for covering all these additional costs yourself.