Motoring expert Richard Aucock* reviews five cars that are available on the Motability Scheme for no or low Advance Payment, including family-friendly models, an exciting new electric SUV and a practical 7-seater.
The Motability Scheme is a great way to lease a safe, reliable and practical new car. The many new models that are available for no or low Advance Payment are particularly appealing. This means you can get into a brand new car with just a small Advance Payment, or no Advance Payment at all.
Get the insight on Richard’s five top picks for no or low Advance Payment:
Leasing a new car is an exciting prospect. The latest cars are better than ever thanks to the growth of technology. They are packed with high-tech features that driving easier, safer and more comfortable. A new car on the Motability Scheme looks after you and other road users while you drive. They also make motoring more fun!
Because petrol and diesel cars are being phased out from 2030, I have included electric cars (also known as EVs) here. More affordable EVs are being added to the Motability Scheme all the time. Use the clever comparison page to see how different electric cars compare for range and value for money.
Remember, when you lease your first electric car, Motability Scheme customers with off-street parking will get a home charger installed at no extra cost. This means you can charge at home in the most cost-effective way. You can start each day with a fully charged battery.
If you cannot have a home chargepoint installed, you’ll get a subscription to bp pulse, giving you access to the UK’s largest public charging network. All EV customers will also receive a Motability Go Charge card. This gives easy access to more than 50,000 public chargers in the UK.
I have also included petrol-powered cars available for no or low Advance Payment here too, for those who are not yet ready to make the switch. And whether it is petrol, diesel or an electric car lease, all cars come with the Motability Scheme’s full lease package. This includes insurance, road tax, servicing and breakdown cover.
These are my choices with no or low Advance Payment this quarter, but there are plenty more new cars available on the Motability Scheme to suit all needs. Read on to be inspired about your next new mobility car!
No Advance Payment and just £73.25 a week
The Kia Picanto is a small five-door car measuring less than 3.6 metres long. This compact size makes it ideal for the city. It is surprisingly roomy inside though. It is a practical and well-equipped car that costs less than your weekly allowance. It is just £73.25 a week. There is no Advance payment, either.
Why is it so popular?
The Kia Picanto was updated in 2024 with styling that mirrors the bold look of larger models. I love the front end, with its vertically-integrated LED running lights. These give a hint of premium SUV design to this city-friendly small car. The Picanto should be cheap to run, with the 1.0-litre petrol engine averaging nearly 55mpg. This version has a manual gearbox but an easy-to-drive automatic version is also available. Notably, this also costs less than your weekly allowance, and is available for no Advance Payment.
Despite its affordability, the Kia Picanto still has a great level of standard equipment inside. Features include alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows plus an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rear parking sensors and a handy reversing camera are fitted too. This Kia Picanto even has a standard car alarm, for added reassurance.
Alternatives to consider: The Hyundai i10 is another compact five-door small car that is perfect for using in the city. If you want to go electric, the Dacia Spring is a good choice too. Like the Kia Picanto, the Dacia Spring costs less than your weekly allowance.
Ford Explorer
No Advance Payment
The Ford Explorer is an exciting family-sized electric SUV available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment. A full five-seater with a large boot, this medium SUV is an electric alternative to the popular Ford Kuga. Being available for no Advance Payment makes it a tempting choice.
Why is it so popular?
The Ford Explorer has neat, modern styling that is very attractive. It is interesting on the inside too, with the dashboard dominated by a large touchscreen. Conveniently, you can adjust its position, bringing it closer to you so it’s easier to reach. There’s a clever hidden compartment behind it too!
The Ford Explorer has a good seating position and visibility is clear. The rear seats are easy to access too. The roomy 470-litre boot is thoughtfully designed. This Style model has a 52kWh battery. It has a range of 239 miles. There is a built-in EV trip planner, which will automatically find charging stops on your route. It will even tell you chargepoint availability. I also found the Ford Explorer fun to drive. It is stable and reassuring, and cornering is agile.
Alternatives to consider: The new Ford Capri is an interesting alternative to the Ford Explorer on the Motability Scheme. It has a more stylish profile and is available for an advance payment of just £245. If you’re not ready to go electric just yet, the Kia Sportage is a roomy medium SUV. It is available on the Motability Scheme for a low advance payment of just £699.
Hyundai Bayon
No Advance Payment
The Hyundai Bayon is a small SUV that places practicality top of the agenda. It has a square profile and upright body style that helps maximise interior space. Its overall size is still manageable though, measuring less than 4.2 metres long.
Why is it so popular?
The Hyundai Bayon has bold, angular styling that is distinctive. I particularly like the slim LED light bar at the front. This was introduced as part of a recent facelift for the popular Bayon. Some new body colours are available on the updated Bayon too, and there is more safety technology fitted as standard.
The Hyundai Bayon is easy to get in and out of. It is higher than a regular small car, but not too high. This updated car gets a large new digital display. It’s a refined car to travel in, with decent performance from the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. I found the surprisingly large 411-litre boot to be a good shape. This is also a model that can is suitable for drivers under 25.
Alternatives to consider: The Ford Puma is another small SUV with distinctive styling and a practical interior. It is particularly impressive in terms of boot space, thanks to the ingenious Ford ‘Mega Box’.
Dacia Jogger
No Advance Payment
The Dacia Jogger is one of the most accessible seven-seater cars available on the Motability Scheme. It is a medium SUV, available for no Advance Payment, that packs in three rows of seats. The third row is very cleverly designed, and there are lots of different configurations. The sixth and seventh seats can even be removed entirely. It is a genuinely practical seven-seat family car. It is even suitable for drivers under 25.
Why is it so popular?
The Dacia Jogger is surprisingly roomy inside. Each row of seats is mounted higher than the ones in front, so everyone gets a good view out. It has a tall roofline that means there’s a good amount of headroom, and legroom is impressive. There are even handy tables on the back of the front seats. The windows in the third row hinge open to give a nice, airy feel.
There is reasonable boot space even with all seven seats in use. Fold the third row and it grows to an exceptional 565 litres. Removing the third row gives an even more practical space. With its fuel-efficient 1.0-litre TCe engine, the Dacia Jogger should be cheap to run. Because it is turbocharged, it gives reasonable pulling power even when all seven seats are in use.
Alternatives to consider: If you need an executive-sized seven-seater, the Kia Sorento is an interesting alternative. It is an upscale large model with lots of space inside. It is available on the Motability Scheme for an Advance Payment of £3,999.
No Advance Payment
The Omoda 5 is a medium SUV from this fast-growing new car brand. It has a distinctive appearance, with a very eye-catching front end. The version I’m looking at here has a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with an automatic gearbox.
Why is it so popular?
The Omoda 5 Knight is a very well equipped car. It has an open-plan dashboard with a futuristic-looking display screen. This is packed with features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s even a handy wireless smartphone charger on the centre console. The electric parking brake is a convenient feature. I also like the fact it has an electric tailgate as standard. You can open and close it at the press of a button, and even operate it remotely.
In terms of boot space, the Omoda 5 has a 380-litre capacity. This is enough for three large suitcases. The space is well-shaped, with a flat floor helping make it easy to slide things in and out. The Omoda 5 has a decent 145bhp power output. This makes it a swift performer, with effortless acceleration.
Alternatives to consider: Omoda has a sister brand called Jaecoo. You’ll often see both brands sharing the same showroom. The Jaecoo 7 is a more rugged alternative to the Omoda 5, using the same engine and suspension. It is available for an Advance Payment of £2,999.
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*About the writer
Richard Aucock has been a professional motoring writer since 1998. He’s written about the car industry for the Motability Scheme since 2009. He has many key roles in the motoring world, including the UK juror for AUTOBEST, a juror for the World Car Awards, and Vice Chair of the Guild of Motoring Writers. Richard is also the director of Motoring Research, a leading UK publisher in the industry.
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