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| Formation | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jeffrey Sterling and Lord Goodman |
| Type | Public–private partnership charity |
| Registration no. | 299745 (as charity in England and Wales) 736309 (with the FCA) |
| Purpose | Oversee the Motability Scheme through Motability Operations Ltd |
| Location |
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Chairman | Jeffrey Sterling |
| Website | motability |
| Formerly | Motability Finance Ltd |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | London and Bristol |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Andrew Miller (CEO) |
| Services | Operate the Motability Scheme on behalf of Motability |
| Revenue | £4.2 billion |
| £130 million (2016) | |
Number of employees | ~800 |
| Parent | Motability Operations Group PLC, owned by: |
| Website | mo |
Motability is a scheme run by a private company called Motability Operations Ltd, intended to enable disabled people, their families and their carers to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair, using their disability benefit. It is overseen by the charity called the Motability Foundation in the United Kingdom. According to its response to a UK Government inquiry in 2019 into enhancing mobility for disabled citizens, Motability Ltd had over 620,000 customers. In 2022 it made a pre-tax profit of £1.1bn. [1] According to Citizen's Advice, access to the scheme is dependent on eligibility relative to mobility conditions in government schemes, including: Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.[2] Motability's 2019/2020 audit document reported 94% of persons using Motability's scheme to buy a car either have a physical disability or long term health condition.[3] In 2018, the National Audit Office praised the customer satisfaction rates for the service, but criticised the profit and reserve levels the charity held. They also noted criticised its governance and "executive remuneration."[4] A response to a 2019 parliamentary committee to release £343 million of its £2.5bn reserve was greeted as a "first step" to making best use of its "vast sums."[5]
Motability was founded in 1977 by Lord Sterling of Plaistow and the late Lord Goodman and the Motability Scheme was launched at Earl's Court, London, on 25 July 1978. It was initially targeted at motorists aged 16–19 years, with some 220 applications being processed at the beginning of the scheme.[6]
It is a partnership between the charitable sector, the UK government, leading banks, and the motor and insurance industries. Since 1978, over three million[7] cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs have been provided to help disabled people with their mobility needs.
Queen Elizabeth II had been the Chief Patron of Motability since its foundation.
- ^ "Consultation outcome Motability response Updated 22 February 2021".
- ^ "Getting a Motability car". www.citizensadvice.org.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ Annual Report and Accounts 2019/20, Motability
- ^ "The Motability scheme - National Audit Office (NAO) press release". National Audit Office (NAO). 7 December 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/97837/committee-to-hear-evidence-on-the-police-national-database/ [bare URL]
- ^ "BBC ON THIS DAY | 25 | 1978: Motability gets moving in the UK". BBC News. 25 July 2000. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ^ Motability, www.motability.co.uk. ""About Motability", Motability Website". Motability.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2013.