Motability with County Renault, Barnstaple

Am I Eligible?

Who is eligible for the Motability Car Scheme?

There are a number of criteria that may make you eligible for the Motability Car Scheme. You are eligible for the scheme if you or the person you care for receives one of the following with at least 12 months remaining of your award entitlement:

• The Higher Rate Mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The Enhanced Rate of Mobility component of the Personal Independent Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independent Payment (AFIP)
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

For those not receiving an allowance:

If you (or the person you care for) are affected by a disability but you are not in receipt of any of the above, the following organisations may be able to assist you:

Pensions, Disability & Carers Service

Telephone: 08457 123456

Disability Benefits Helpline – Disability Living Allowance

Telephone: 08457 123 456

Textphone: 08457 224 433

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

Telephone: 0800 169 2277

How the change from DLA to PIP affects eligibility:

If you or the person you care for is an existing Motability user, the change from the DLA to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may impact on eligibility for the scheme. However, Motability will still lease cars to disabled motorists receiving the enhanced-rate Mobility Component of PIP, as this has the same value as the higher rate DLA Mobility Component.

If you are a current DLA recipient who is awarded the enhanced rate, your Motability eligibility will be unaffected as you move from DLA to PIP. If you receive the new Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) allowance, you may also be eligible to benefit from the Motability Scheme.

To speak with our own Motability specialist, please contact us online, by phone or visit our dealership in person. For full details, please visit the Motability website.

HOW DOES MOTABILITY WORK?

First thing’s first, you will need to decide on which vehicle best suits your needs, style and taste. Our Motability experts at County Renault are on hand to help you make your choice by explaining all the models that we supply as well as comparing their benefits until you have all the information you need to make your decision. We can also arrange to test drive our models and arrange for any adaptations required to make your motoring as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

The next step is to arrange the Contract Hire agreement on your chosen vehicle. As the Motability Scheme is based on a three year lease agreement at a fixed cost, you do not need to worry about reselling the vehicle at the end of the contract period. Simply hand it make and make a decision on your next vehicle.

If you select a vehicle with ‘nil advanced payment’, your Mobility Allowance is assigned to Motability who will cover upfront bills directly. Any payments required would be made directly to us by Motability as a single payment.

When your decision has been made and contractual terms have been confirmed, we will handle the processing of the order on your behalf. You will then be sent an acceptance letter by Motability that will include your Personal Identification Number. You will need this PIN when collecting your new vehicle.

ADAPTATIONS

County Renault have long-established relationships with a number of trusted suppliers who can offer professional advice on adaptations to meet your specific needs as well as handle any alterations required.

The range of adaptations required will vary from person to person. Many of these modifications come with no additional cost and are offered to ensure your drive is as safe and as comfortable as possible.

The range is varied and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Assisted steering
•  Foot steering systems
• Wheelchair ramps, tail lifts and hoists
• People lifts
•  Handbrakes moved to the right-hand side
• Rotating seats
• Adapted mirrors
• Accelerator and brake hand controls
• Adapted foot controls

How Do I Decide Which Adaptations I Need?

Before deciding on your vehicle, we suggest consulting an independent Mobility Assessment Centre. The occupational therapists and specialists you will be put in touch with can offer expert advise on the range of vehicles and adaptations available to meet your specific needs.

Motability Managed Adaptation Programme

Our Motability specialist will confirm whether your required adaptations are eligible through the Motability Managed Adaptations Programme, which manages the process of altering your vehicle. If your adaptations are ordered at the same time as your vehicle, we will arrange the alterations on your behalf. If modifications are not covered by the programme, or if they are required during your lease, we recommend ensuring they are covered by your insurance by contacting one of the following:

Motability Operations

Telephone: 0845 456 4566 (8.30am till 5.30pm Monday to Friday)

Textphone: 0845 675 0009

Motability RSA

Freephone: 0500 37 37 37

Freetext phone: 0500 64 63 62

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you would like further guidance before starting the search for your ideal Motability vehicle, please reach out directly to our Motability specialists. Before you do, we have put together a list of some of the more common questions that you may have at this point.

Q. How do I arrange for vehicle adaptations?

A. We work with various partners that can offer specialist assistance and guidance on this. We would be more than happy to help you get in touch with one of them.

Q. Am I entitled to financial help as a Motability customer?

A. This would depend on meeting the eligibility criteria for the Motability scheme. We suggest you have a clear picture of this before embarking on your search for a new vehicle.

Q. What Mobility Allowance rate am I entitled to?

A. You should have received an award notice from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) containing details of your allowance entitlement. If you have not yet received information, you should contact the DWP directly.

Q. I’m not entitled to the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance, what should I do?

A. We may still be able to help. Contact us and we will advise on how you can secure your vehicle of choice.

Q. Are people over the age of 65 eligible for the Motability Scheme?

A. If you’re currently receiving the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement then yes, you are eligible. If you are not receiving either of these allowances, you unfortunately will not be eligible beyond the age of 65.

Q. Can anyone else drive my Motability vehicle?

A. You can nominate two drivers to use your Motability vehicle. If you are a disabled driver, you count as one and can choose anyone else you trust. You can change who is authorised during the lease, and a third person can be added at an additional cost. Please note that restrictions apply for drivers under 25.

Q. Does the disabled motorist receiving Mobility Allowance always need to be in the vehicle?

A. No. This can be used by any driver who is nominated to drive the vehicle.

Q. How long will it take for my vehicle to be delivered?

A. It depends on the chosen models and the adaptation required. Our Motability experts will be able to offer more specific guidance when you decide on the vehicle you wish to acquire.