Report written by our Financial Wellbeing Officer, Maxie Cobern-Burke.
I was thrilled to be invited to Motability Live in Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh on the 12th September 2026. Ross Smith, Scheme Stakeholder Executive and Heidi Idle, Head of Events & Engagement and a member of Haemophilia Scotland, gave me a personal tour around the event. I was blown away with what the scheme offers.
They have a fleet of Electrical Vehicles and a new app that can help you navigate the local, national and UK wide charging ports to ensure you are never without a charge no matter how long or short your journey may be. The app even has a section where other members can share their experiences at the charging ports so you can see if it is suitable for your needs prior to visiting. The scheme has even collaborated with the suppliers to get offers on charging for their users.
Attendees were given the opportunity to test drive some of the vehicles at the event, which show cased lots of different manufacturers and different price ranges and car sizes to suit as many needs as possible. Along with vehicles that were adapted and those that are Wheelchair Accessible. And some of those adaptations were incredible, voice activated controls for example to turn on indicators.
I also got to meet a celebrity, Ally Chalmers, who has his own rally car adapted to suit his needs. Getting to sit in his Mini Cooper S was a highlight of the event for me. Trying to get back out maybe not so, how he does that in 10 seconds is a testament to his skills.
I also got to meet the teams that ensure that drivers are kept on the road, from tyre fitters, insurers and breakdown recovery to ensure if something does go wrong it causes minimal impact to the vehicle user. Also, celebrities in their own right.
Not only were there vehicles being exhibited but an array of different mobility scooters and wheelchairs that attendees could try out. Notably there was a wheelchair designed to be less than 4kg and that can be stowed in overhead compartments when flying. Also, an add on to allow push wheelchairs to perform much in the same way as a mobility scooter, controlled by handlebars at the front.
If you are in receipt of High Rate Mobility of Child Disability Payment, or the Enhanced Rate Mobility of Adult Disability Payment you may be able to join the scheme.
For example, a three-year lease:
- 30,000 miles
- Up to six tyre replacements, including up to four for damage
- 25p excess mileage fee (including standard rate VAT)
- A £22 VE103 admin fee to take your car abroad to the EU
For a five-year Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) lease:
- 50,000 miles
- Up to 10 tyre replacements, including up to six for damage
- 25p excess mileage fee (including standard rate VAT, unless VAT relief applies to you)
- A £22 VE103 admin fee to take your WAV abroad to the EU
If you would like to learn more about the Motability Scheme you can contact them on 0300 456 4566 , Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
