Motoring expert Richard Aucock reviews his six top car picks with no or low Advance Payment available on the Motability Scheme this quarter, including a practical British-built SUV, a fun electric car and an economical city car.
The Motability Scheme price list is updated every three months. The prices shown here are valid between 1 July and 30 September 2026. Remember, prices can go up or down.
The Motability Scheme remains one of the most affordable ways to lease a brand new car. Research shows it can be over 40% cheaper than other leasing options. Despite recent changes to the Motability Scheme, more than 30 cars are still available with no Advance Payment. Many more are available with low Advance Payments starting from just £95. This means the Scheme continues to be accessible for customers.
No matter what new Motability Scheme car you choose, you will get the same all-inclusive leasing package. This covers all the major costs of motoring, including car insurance, servicing and routine repairs. It also includes car tax and breakdown cover. This makes it the cheapest way to drive a new car in the UK.
The new car market is changing all the time. The drive to zero emissions means the car industry is switching over to electric. Lots of new electric cars, also known as EVs, are now being launched. The UK’s commitment to phase out regular petrol and diesel cars from 2030 is driving this.
If you have a driveway, your first electric car lease includes a home charger and standard installation. This is the cheapest charging option. It could save you a lot of money compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
If you do not have a driveway, you will get a bp pulse subscription included in your lease instead. This gives Scheme customers cheaper rates at bp pulse chargers, which is Britain’s largest public charging network. All Scheme customers also get access to Go with the Motability Scheme (or ‘Go’ app). This gives you access to more than 80,000 public chargepoints from over 70 operators across the UK.
VAT changes to the Motability Scheme
From 1 July 2026, some tax changes announced by the UK Government will affect new leases on the Motability Scheme.
New car Advance Payments will be shown with standard rate VAT (20%).
You may be eligible for VAT relief if the vehicle has been permanently and substantially adapted for someone who normally uses a wheelchair, or who needs to travel on a stretcher.
Your dealer will explain what applies to you before you order your vehicle.
Renault Symbioz
No Advance Payment
The Renault Symbioz is a clever SUV with the practicality of an MPV. It is a family-sized model, measuring around 4.4 metres long. It has a crisp design and I love the distinctive vertical LED running lights at the front. It is also currently available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
Spaciousness is a real strength of the Renault Symbioz. The key feature is a sliding rear bench seat. This moves backwards and forwards through a 160mm range. With it slid fully forward, the boot has a huge 624-litre capacity. Slid fully back, rear passenger space is plentiful.
Another smart feature is the portrait-format infotainment screen with Google built-in. This gives real-time sat nav, voice control and over 100 apps to choose from. This Techno version also has distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels. Its 1.3 TCe 140 petrol engine can average nearly 48mpg. It has a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.
View the Renault Symbioz.
Alternatives to consider: The BYD Sealion 5 is a new model on the Motability Scheme. It is a practical SUV that has the added appeal of a plug-in hybrid engine.
Toyota Aygo X
No Advance Payment
The Toyota Aygo X is a bold city car that has been upgraded with a clever hybrid petrol engine. Its handy size means it measures less than 3.8 metres long. It still has four seats and five doors though, along with crossover SUV styling cues. It is available for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The latest full hybrid engine tech has transformed the Toyota Aygo X. Thanks to electric assistance, it has plenty of pulling power. It frequently runs in pure electric mode at lower speeds, which gives exceptional fuel economy. During testing, I regularly saw over 80mpg on the dash display. The standard automatic gearbox makes it easy to drive, too.
The slightly raised crossover profile means it is easy to step in and out of. The touchscreen system has a clear appearance and I like how Toyota has kept physical climate controls. The rear seats are handy for taking passengers on short city hops. The 231-litre boot also expands to over 800 litres with the 50:50 split-fold rear seats flipped down.
View the Toyota Aygo X.
Alternatives to consider: If you are seeking a small car that is easy to drive in town, the Kia Picanto is a good alternative. Several versions are currently available for less than your weekly allowance.
Nissan Qashqai
£249 Advance Payment
The Nissan Qashqai is a best-selling car proudly built in Britain. It is a family-sized SUV that’s been expertly designed to be practical and easy to live with. Nissan has also regularly updated it with the latest technology, including a choice of hybrid engines. This 1.3 DiG-T mild hybrid version is currently available for an Advance Payment of just £249.
Why is it so popular?
The Nissan Qashqai is a very cleverly-designed car. For the driver, it is easy to get in and out of, with a great driving position. Visibility is excellent, too. Rear seat access is aided by wide doors that open almost 90 degrees. The boot is a capacious 504 litres and it is packed with practical touches including a modular boot floor. The maximum boot width is a useful 1.1 metres. Fold the rear seats flat and boot space expands to 1,447 litres.
The Nissan Qashqai I’m looking at here is the Acenta Premium version. This is very well-equipped, with a 12.3-inch NissanConnect display, rear-view camera, plus wireless connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Dual-zone climate control is a nice luxury touch. There is a full suite of safety tech including blind spot warning and a clever reversing alert that bleeps if it detects cars or pedestrians when backing out of a space.
View the Nissan Qashqai.
Alternatives to consider: The Hyundai Tucson is another roomy and family-friendly SUV. The 1.6T 150 Element model is currently available on the Motability Scheme for an affordable Advance Payment of £349.
Hyundai Inster
No Advance Payment
The Hyundai Inster is a charming-looking city car with a futuristic appearance. It has the technology to match, as it is a fully electric car. It has a range of up to 223 miles from this 49kWh version in well-equipped ‘02’ specification. Even in this high-spec grade, it is available for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The characterful design of the Hyundai Inster includes distinctive round LED lights, bold wheelarches and a mini SUV profile. Its rugged design is built for the city, and its 3.82-metre length means it is easy to slot in and out of gaps. The raised seating position gives a good view out.
Inside, the Hyundai has a really high-end feel. Dashboard quality is excellent, and it is packed with sophisticated features as standard. It also has sliding and reclining rear seats, for maximum practicality. Fully flat-folding driver and passenger seats mean you can even use it as a camping car! Meanwhile, heated front seats and steering wheel add a luxury touch. There is a heat pump and battery heater too, helping maximise EV range whatever the temperature is outside.
View the Hyundai Inster
Alternatives to consider: If you like the idea of a money-saving electric car for no Advance Payment, the Dacia Spring is another model to consider. It currently costs less than your weekly allowance, too.
MG ZS
£299 Advance Payment
The MG ZS is a regular top-10 best-selling car in the UK. It is a small SUV that offers a lot of car for the money. It has a distinctive design with a wide front grille, silver roof rails and rear spoiler. It is currently available in feature-packed SE grade for an affordable Advance Payment of just £299.
Why is it so popular?
The MG ZS is a roomy car thanks to an exterior that measures over 4.4 metres long. This means there’s lots of front and rear seat space, and a useful 443-litre boot. With the rear seats folded, there’s up to 1,457 litres of boot space. The interior has practical touches too, including an adjustable cupholder and armrest tray.
The MG ZS feels sporty to sit in, with a distinctive dashboard design. I like the leather-style upholstery, and the 12.3-inch colour touchscreen is comprehensive. It includes a standard 360-degree parking camera. Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre petrol engine, paired with five-speed manual gearbox. For those who prefer this more traditional sort of setup, the MG ZS is a good choice.
View the MG ZS.
Alternatives to consider: The Skoda Kamiq is another lower medium SUV-style model. The 1.0 TSI 95 SE Edition model is currently available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment.
Kia Stonic
No Advance Payment
The Kia Stonic is a small SUV that has recently received a significant facelift. Both the front and rear design have been updated to the latest Kia Style. This brings eye-catching vertical LED lights that help make it look modern and eye-catching on the road. The Pure version I’m looking at here is available for no Advance Payment.
Why is it so popular?
The Kia Stonic is powered by an economical 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. I’ve picked the DCT automatic version here, which has the ease of two-pedal driving. The zippy engine can average over 50mpg. A manual version is also available for no Advance Payment, for those who prefer the direct control of a six-speed gearbox with a clutch pedal.
The Kia Stonic Pure has practical standard features such as automatic air conditioning, 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation plus front and rear parking sensors. The 352-litre boot expands to 1,155 litres with the rear seats folded. They have a practical 60:40 split, so you can increase boot space while still carrying one or two rear passengers.
View the Kia Stonic
Alternatives to consider: If you like the idea of a stylish small crossover SUV, the Volkswagen Taigo is an interesting alternative. It has a fashionable coupe-style rear end, and is also available for no Advance Payment.
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