Our History

2009: Key facts

• 1.9 million recipients of Disability Living Allowance eligible to join the Scheme, with the eligible base growing by 50,000 per annum
• Network of over 4,500 UK dealerships with trained Motability Specialists
• Choice of over 4,000 cars, including 500 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, with more than 250 available for no more than the cost of the weekly mobility allowance (Over 70% of customers pay an average of over £500 in advance payment)
• Mileage allowance increased to 60,000 for three-year leases and 100,000 for five-year leases
• Customers rate satisfaction levels with the Scheme at 97%
• 92% of customers coming to the end of their lease choose to lease another car through Motability

Motability Operations timeline 

2008	Motability Operations records a year of achievement with the award for "Best Place to Work in HR" and an "Industry Excellence Award" at the Motor Trader Awards. In July, the Queen handed over car keys to 6 Motability customers as part of the Scheme's 30th anniversary celebrations
2007	Motability Operations enjoys its best ever year of performance for the Scheme measured in terms of customers, culture, reputation and finances - ranked number 48 in The Times Top 100 Companies to Work for; received National Customer Service Award; awarded Diamond Award from Employers’ Forum on Disability and Mobilise Redex trophy for outstanding customer service
2006	Two millionth car handed over
2005	Scheme reaches milestone of 400,000 concurrent customers; Good Condition Bonus scheme introduced to customers handing back car in good condition with no claims made
2004	Online application system introduced removing need for customers to complete lengthy paperwork at the dealership
1997	Almost 30% of war pensioners awarded the mobility supplement have car lease agreements
1996	By the end of the year, the banks’ total commitment to the Motability Schemes was £1.5billion
1995	500,000th Motability Scheme car handed over
1991	Car handover ceremony held at Buckingham Palace to mark the delivery of the 250,000th Motability Scheme car
1989	Car tax removed from Motability cars bought for contract hire leasing.   The resulting reduction in leasing costs brought about a 50% increase in the number of cars supplied
1984	VAT removed from leasing payments for Motability cars
1983	New mobility supplement introduced for war pensioners
1979	Hire purchase scheme for new cars introduced
1978	Motability Operations established as a private company, operating as Motability Finance Limited, leasing scheme launched and first Motability cars handed over to customers
1976	New mobility allowance introduced by the Government, taking the form of cash payment the allowance allowed for those who were not able to drive to benefit from this provision
1948	Government vehicle scheme provides permanent loan of a single-seater three-wheeler or ‘trike’