From Thursday 1 January 2026, updated vehicle regulations will come into place. This means some cars sold in Great Britain will no longer be approved for sale in Northern Ireland (NI).
This will only affect a few models available to lease through the Motability Scheme, and we’ll still offer a wide range of options to help you find a vehicle that suits your needs.
Certain vehicles displayed on ‘Find a vehicle’ may no longer be available in NI.
If the vehicle you wanted is no longer available, your dealer will help you find a suitable alternative. Availability can change at any time, if you have any questions, please speak to your dealer directly.
If you’re renewing or applying
If you live in NI and are planning to renew your Motability Scheme lease or apply for a new vehicle, please contact your dealer directly about availability. They will have the latest stock information.
If you’ve already placed your application, you should not be affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the updated vehicle regulations?
Northern Ireland operates under a different set of rules for vehicle approval from the rest of the UK. England, Scotland and Wales follow the UK’s vehicle approval system, while Northern Ireland approvals are aligned with the EU. Because of this, some cars sold in England, Scotland and Wales may no longer be approved for sale in Northern Ireland. This includes vehicles that were previously exempt.
Which brands or models might be affected?
Please contact your dealer for the latest stock information.
What if my preferred car is no longer available?
We have a wide range of vehicles available on the Scheme. These can be filtered by make, fuel type, transmission, number of seats etc to help you find a suitable option. If your preferred vehicle is not available, please speak to your dealer about a suitable alternative.
Will this impact vehicle availability in Northern Ireland generally?
We’ll be monitoring this closely. We’re working with manufacturers to offer you as much choice as we can. We expect certain makes and models may be harder to source, yet the majority of vehicles will still be available.
What if I’ve already placed my application?
You do not need to do anything, you should not be affected.
What if I’m already driving one of these vehicles?
You do not need to do anything, you will not be impacted.
Are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) also impacted?
This depends on where the WAV is being built. We recommend speaking directly to your WAV converter regarding availability.
I live in England, Scotland or Wales, does this affect me?
No, this currently only affects customers who are applying for a car in NI from Thursday 1 January 2026 onwards.
What if I permanently move to Northern Ireland after ordering my car?
If you ordered your car outside NI before 1 January 2026, your lease should not be affected. If your permanent residence changes to NI, you must inform Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or Social Security Scotland if you are in Scotland.
What if I regularly travel into Northern Ireland?
This legislation applies to where the car is ordered and registered. If you live outside of NI and already placed your application this will not affect you.
What if I travel to England, Scotland or Wales for a short visit?
Travel to England, Scotland or Wales in your car is allowed. At the ferry, you may be asked to confirm how long you will be staying. If your trip is less than six months, no extra paperwork is needed.
What if I move permanently to England, Scotland or Wales?
If your permanent residence changes from NI to England, Scotland or Wales, you must inform DWP (as normal). We will manage the vehicle movement registration in the background. You can return the vehicle to your new dealer at the end of your lease.
The Motability Scheme continues to offer a wide range of vehicles all with insurance, breakdown, servicing and maintenance included. Please contact your dealer directly for any questions related to vehicle availability.
