Latest news with #Motability
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New Motability Scheme payment warning to people on PIP, ADP or other disability benefits
The latest figures from the charity behind the life-changing Motability Scheme show there are now 815,000 customers across the UK, including around 80,000 living in Scotland. The Motability Scheme, or Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme as it is now known for those in Scotland on Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Child Disability Payment (CDP), offers an affordable way for disabled people to get around outside more easily. However, the charity is urging all new and existing users not to fall for callous crooks trying to con them out of money by contacting them by phone, email or text message, asking for bank details or payments for their leased vehicle, scooter, or electric powered wheelchair. The Motability Scheme said: 'We will never ask for your bank details for refunds or payments over the phone. If you're in doubt, hang up and contact us directly on 0300 456 4566.' It's important for all disability benefit claimants to remember that monthly payments to the Motability Scheme for your leased product are paid directly from your benefit issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland to the Motability Scheme - you never need to pay it separately, or directly to the charity. To help all users stay safe, the charity has shared some key things to remember when anyone contacts you saying that they are from the Motability Scheme. Making a payment to the Scheme Motability explained: 'If you're expecting a payment from us we will not call you to confirm your bank or payment details over the phone. If someone calls you asking for this information, do not give it to them. 'If we send you a payment by mistake, we might contact you to let you know the cheque has been stopped and to destroy it.' Making a payment to your dealer Motability said: 'Your dealer might call you to ask for payment towards your Advance Payment or extras you added. 'If you're not sure about the call, hang up and call your dealer directly to check before you share any details.' How to spot a phone, email or text scam These are the three most common types of scam, which can catch even the savviest of people out. Motability is urging everyone to familiarise themselves with practices criminals can use to trust and access your personal and financial information. Email - phishing scam These are designed to steal your identity by 'phishing' for information. They usually look like they're from a real company and ask you to click on a link. Watch out for spelling mistakes, bad grammar and different fonts to spot these. Text message - smishing scam These scams usually ask you to give personal information such as a password or account number. Some will claim to have noticed unusual activity in your bank account and others can be fake delivery tracking links. These usually come from unknown numbers. Phone calls - vishing scam A scammer will call you pretending to be from a trusted company. They might say you've been a victim of fraud and ask for personal details such as your password or account number - you should never give this information to someone over the phone. Motability added: 'Knowing about scams and what they look like is a good first step to keep safe from them. These ten tips will help you feel more prepared in spotting and avoiding scams.' A full guide to spotting scams can be found on the Motability Scheme website here. Below is a quick guide on the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme and how to swap all or part of your mobility payment to lease a vehicle. How the new scheme works Social Security Scotland guidelines state: 'When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.' Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of either: the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment Applying to lease a vehicle for yourself You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following: You get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment You are 16 or over You are able to manage your own payments Applying to lease a vehicle on someone's behalf Social Security Scotland also advises that you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else. This might be an option if you're either: How to apply To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can: Choose a vehicle Find a dealership When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement. Social Security Scotland states that you will find this included in your decision award letter. Find out more about Adult Disability Payment and leasing an accessible vehicle on the website here.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Motability Scheme update for people on PIP, DLA or Adult Disability Payment
Proposed reforms by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to health and disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), may affect the daily living award for an estimated 800,000 claimants, however the mobility element will remain unchanged. The latest figures from the company behind the life-changing Motability Scheme show there are now 815,000 customers across the UK, including around 80,000 living in Scotland. The Motability Scheme, or Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme as it is now known for those in Scotland on Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Child Disability Payment (CDP), offers an affordable way for disabled people to get around outside more easily. It's important to be aware that both schemes are the exact same and run by Motability Operations - it's just a different name depending on which part of the country you live in. The scheme enables people in receipt of a disability benefit, with an award for the higher or enhanced rate of the mobility component, to transfer some or all of the payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. People on benefits such as PIP, ADP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Scottish Adult DLA, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS) and Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) can join the scheme. A full list of qualifying benefits and award level required can be found on the Motability website here. As well as a new car, customers also benefit from insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance, tyres and windscreen repairs as part of the package. The latest price list for leasing packages was recently published on the Motability Scheme website and shows there are now more than 800 vehicles to choose from. An update on the website said: 'Our price list for April to June 2025 is now live. There are great options to choose from at every price point, so you can find the right fit for your needs. 'We're here to help you find a mobility solution that works for you. We update our line-up every three months to make sure you always have access to the best possible choice - whatever changes are happening in the car market.' Motability goes on to explain how car manufacturers are focusing more on electric vehicles (EVs), meaning there are now more electric cars to choose from and if you're thinking about making the switch, the charity can help with all your queries, including charging. The charity explained how the 'cost of building and running a car has gone up, including things like insurance, repairs, tyres and parts' adding that 'every lease has insurance, servicing, repairs and breakdown cover included in the price you pay. So these rising costs can affect prices'. Motability continued: 'At the same time, petrol and diesel cars are becoming harder to source and more expensive to produce. You might notice higher Advance Payments for petrol and diesel cars. Even so, the Motability Scheme remains cheaper on average than leasing elsewhere.' If you are choosing a car or wheelchair-accessible vehicle, it's important to be aware that while some only use part or all of the mobility award payment, most require an advanced fee which can range from between £100 and £2,000. What else is included in the lease? You will get a brand-new vehicle, and a full package which includes: Insurance Servicing and maintenance Full RAC breakdown assistance Yearly tax Three drivers - you can change these whenever you like Kwik Fit replacement tyres Windscreen repair or replacement 60,000 mileage allowance over three years, or 100,000 for WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicles Many adaptations at no extra cost Full details on the Motability Scheme can be found on the website here. Below is a quick guide on the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme and how to swap all or part of your mobility payment to lease a vehicle. How the new scheme works Social Security Scotland guidelines state: 'When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.' Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of either: the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment Applying to lease a vehicle for yourself You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following: Applying to lease a vehicle on someone's behalf Social Security Scotland also advises that you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else. This might be an option if you're either: A parent or guardian of a child receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment An appointee for someone who is receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment How to apply To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can: Choose a vehicle Find a dealership When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement. Social Security Scotland states that you will find this included in your decision award letter. here.
Metro
17-05-2025
- Metro
Uninsured learner driver ran off after killing woman in head-on crash
A learner driver who killed a woman and left her husband with life-changing injuries after ploughing head-on into their car has been jailed for more than 11 years. Khizer Ali, 24, only held a provisional licence and had no insurance when he crashed his mum's VW Golf into a Vauxhall Meriva with Valerie Ayres, 65 and her husband David, 70, on April 23 last year. He was doing 59mph in a 40mph zone at the time of the smash, having been described as going 'full throttle' by one witness shortly before. Mrs Ayres was killed instantly, and her husband was badly injured. Ali pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and several related offences. He was jailed for 11 years and three months. Shortly before the crash, Ali had been driving his sister's car but swapped with her to get behind the wheel of their mum's Golf. Only the two women were insured to drive the Motability scheme vehicle – Ali was not allowed to. During his reckless journey, Ali left the car wash before turning into Enfield industrial estate and on to Windsor Road where he was clocked on the Golf's dashcam doing 62mph in a 30mph and having a near miss with a car coming the opposite direction under a railway bridge. He was also captured on CCTV from nearby businesses driving recklessly and at high speed. Seconds later, Ali went twice around the A441 Sainsbury's roundabout going too fast and ignoring the designated lanes before exiting on to the Alvechurch Highway 'at full throttle'. Ali left the scene after the fatal collision and was arrested later at his home in Redditch. His sister Sanaa Shahzad, 20, also admitted her role in the incident. She had also been caught on the dashcam of the Golf driving dangerously and at excess speed around Redditch that day. She had lent the car to another person and then her brother and admitted two counts of causing or permitting the use of a vehicle without valid insurance or a licence. Shahzad changed her plea to guilty on Friday over a further charge of refusing the password or pin to her mobile phone under Section 49 of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). She was bailed to be sentenced on all counts on Thursday, June 26. Detective Constable Rose Hughes said: 'While no sentence can ever compensate for the sad loss of life in this case and the life sentence Ali's actions have imposed on the victim's family and friends, we hope that the term handed down to him today will go some way to seeing justice done. 'He showed a total disregard for the safety of the public when took the car off his sister that day, driving recklessly and dangerously which is exacerbated by the fact he should never have been behind the wheel of this car as he did not hold a full driving licence.' More Trending DC Hughes continued: 'We hope this sentence and the tragic outcome will teach a sobering lesson about the reason for speed limits and driving regulations to anyone thinking about ever getting behind the wheel without having passed their test or driving in such a thoughtless and selfish manner putting so many people at risk as he did. 'Ali should never be driving again. Offenders like him have no place on our roads. 'His sister Shahzad quite rightly bears some of the responsibility for the outcome of this tragedy too. 'She should never have leant him the car, especially as she knew he was a learner driver with no insurance.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Everything we know about British teen Bella May Culley who faces jail in Georgia MORE: Flatmate of Madeleine McCann suspect reveals his childhood inside children's home MORE: Inside the 'hellhole' Georgia prison where Bella May Culley could serve life
The Courier
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Stirlingshire woman allowed to keep accessible car after last-minute U-turn
A disabled Killin resident preparing to be left stranded without transportation this week has welcomed an apparent change of heart at the eleventh hour. Helen Lear was given use of a car by Motability after her own was written off in an accident involving black ice in late January. The Motability scheme aims to enable disabled people in the UK to lease cars, scooters or powered wheelchairs. But, last week, Ms Lear was told her leased vehicle would soon be collected, as her three-month loan period had come to an end. Now, just hours before the car was due to be taken away, Motability has reversed its decision. The 38-year-old told The Courier: 'I've ordered my new [permanent] vehicle but it could be July, August, September by the time I get it. 'And there is no update. There's not even a chassis number for it yet, so it's nowhere near being ready.' When Ms Lear explained that she lives rurally and alone, unable to use public transport due to her wheelchair, she says she was told her situation did not meet Motability's 'exceptional circumstances' for a lease extension. According to Ms Lear, the scheme said it could only allow her to keep her temporary car if she had a condition that meant she may need to get to hospital in a 'life or death' scenario. 'The condition I have is a rare neurological condition and it has relapses,' she explained. 'If I start getting early symptoms of a relapse, I need to get to hospital and get treatment very quickly. 'Otherwise, I can end up with permanent paralysis or blindness. 'But it's not 'life or death', so it doesn't count.' On Wednesday May 14, Motability confirmed by phone that it would collect Ms Lear's leased car on Friday May 16. But on Thursday afternoon, following a request for comment from The Courier, it appears Motability had a significant change of heart. The scheme contacted the Killin local to let her know her lease will now be extended until her new permanent vehicle is ready. She says Motability claimed the decision was reversed due to Ms Lear living rurally, even though she had previously been told this was not a valid reason for her to keep the courtesy car on more than one occasion. Ms Lear, who is self-employed, says being left without a car would have affected her career, as she would have been unable to take on any location work. When it originally denied her request to extend the lease, Motability said it would arrange to reinstate the mobility component of her Adult Disability Payment benefit, allowing her to pay for taxis or other forms of transport. However, it would have taken up to 14 days for this money to be paid, and it amounts to £77 per week, according to Ms Lear. She says a one-way taxi from Killin to Stirling costs around £80, and a trip to Forth Valley Royal Hospital adds up to around £100. Ms Lear is thrilled that she will be able to keep using the leased car for the foreseeable future. However, she is concerned that her case is an example of Motability making a last-minute exception to the rule, rather than reviewing and changing its policies. She is worried others could find themselves facing the same problem – and that she may even be affected by it again in the future. She added: 'I can't be the only one who has come across this issue. 'I think there needs to be a change to their [Motability's] extenuating circumstances that takes into consideration people's personal circumstances, particularly if they live in a rural area. 'As a disabled person, there's a lot of what we call 'disability admin', which is all the extra bureaucracy and red tape and all the extra fighting you have to do just for the basics. 'This is just another element of that.' A spokesperson for the Motability scheme said: 'The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a vehicle using their mobility allowance. 'If a customer's car becomes unavailable due to an incident, we provide a temporary replacement for up to three months to help them stay mobile. 'We're in touch with the customer and have extended their hire while we arrange a new Scheme vehicle – and we'll continue to support and update them throughout the process.'
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I bought brand new £25k car riddled with issues but dealership said MY driving was to blame
Julie had to take her car back to the dealership eight times in three weeks DRIVER FURY I bought brand new £25k car riddled with issues but dealership said MY driving was to blame Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER EastEnders crew member was stunned after she was blamed for the countless issues with her brand new £25,000 car. Julie Grant, from Newcastle upon Tyne, only had her Honda Jazz for a few hours before the car broke down. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Julie was told that the issues were due to her poor driving Credit: NCJMedia The 61-year-old had purchased the car through the Motability scheme - which enables people with disabilities to lease a new car. However, when she contacted the dealership to complain about the fault, she was told that her driving was the cause of the problem. After she collected the car from Vertu Honda Newcastle, warning lights started flashing on her dashboard. She took the car back to the dealership, who discovered there had been a problem with the brakes and replaced the part. Appreciative of the speedy service, Julie thought that was the end of her motor-related problems. But to her horror, between March 14 and April 9, she had to take the vehicle back to Vertu Honda eight times. She said how she had to call the RAC out twice and they had to follow her to the dealership because "the brakes weren't right". "I had the RAC out twice and the second time they had to follow me into the dealership because the brakes weren't right," Julie told Chronicle Live. She told Chronicle Live: "I got in touch with the manager to ask if he was aware of the problems with the car but he was just making excuses. "Then his last email said 'actually it's the way you've been driving', which is absolute nonsense. I've been driving since I was 17 and I'm nearly 62, and I've never had a problem. I've never even had an accident." Julie, who previously worked in post-production for BBC's EastEnders added: "I find it extremely insulting and a fob off." She said that she had a year's experience driving an automatic car and was well aware that it's easy to accidentally press the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. Julie explained how the car steering jammed about three of four times and the brakes "weren't working properly". "It was unsafe to drive," she fumed. She claimed the recovery team said there was still an issue with the brakes - despite the dealership replacing the brake sensor twice. Julie said she was told by a receptionist that the master mechanic had looked at the car, but when she spoke to that mechanic, he said he'd never seen the car before April 9. Eventually, the car was returned to he dealership and Motablity terminated Julies contact due to "mechanical reasons". She was offered £277.25 compensation from the scheme and a £100 refund. Julie has bought a new car. A spokesperson for the dealership said the car was assessed by Master Technicians, and the diagnostics revealed the issue was caused by the method of driving. "We are happy that we've acted correctly when dealing with this matter and that there was not a fault with the vehicle. "One of our Master Technicians assessed the car and the diagnostics for the vehicle demonstrated that the method of driving caused the issue, which also occurred when the customer drove one of our courtesy cars. We are pleased that the customer has reached a satisfactory agreement with Motability." 3 She had to take her car to the dealership eight times over brake issues Credit: NCJMedia 3 Julie Grant had bought a brand new 2025 Honda Jazz Credit: Alamy
