Customers often tell us that one of the benefits of the Scheme is the peace of mind that comes with a reliable new car every three years. That said, there may still be occasions when your car is off the road for a while. If this happens our main priority is to keep you mobile, which could be through taxis, but if it’s longer than 24 hours you will usually be given the option of a temporary replacement vehicle.
This article outlines everything you need to know about temporary replacement vehicles on the Motability Scheme.
When would I get a temporary replacement vehicle?
There may be some occasions where you are unable to use your Scheme vehicle, for example if it’s being repaired or you have broken down and the RAC are unable to fix the car at the side of the road. During these occasions we will keep our customer’s mobile by providing onward mobility which may include a temporary replacement vehicle.
Will it be the same as my Scheme car?
While we do our best to provide our customers with a replacement vehicle that suits their specific needs we are unfortunately unable to provide a like for like vehicle; this means that your hire car won’t be the same as the car you lease.
It’s important to mention your needs when asking for a replacement vehicle. We will try to accommodate your key requirements such as transmission, disability needs or car size.
If you have driving adaptations fitted, we may be able to offer you a replacement vehicle with similar adaptations, but this will take a couple of day to arrange. In these cases, it’s worth considering whether you can manage with a car with standard controls for a quicker solution.
Will I need to pay a deposit for the car?
If you are provided with a replacement car then you’ll need to pay a £1 fuel deposit to Europcar which is payable by credit or debit card – please note that the fuel deposit price can vary depending on the hire company. This deposit payment will be refunded as long as you return the car in good condition and with a full tank of fuel.
Adapted temporary replaced vehicles, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, are provided by Proximo. Proximo don’t require a fuel deposit, but do ask that you replace any fuel that you use.
You should also check the terms and conditions of the hire car supplier so you know what’s permitted, including mileage limits. A full list of things to consider when using a temporary replacement vehicle can be found by clicking here.
What about concessions and toll road exemptions?
Please be aware that your temporary car won’t be covered for concessions that come with your Motability Scheme car, so you’ll be responsible for any charges like the London Congestion Charge.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle customers
If you cannot drive your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) for more than 48 hours due to it being repaired we aim to provide you with a replacement vehicle to suit your needs. However, please note that due to the specialised and converted nature of WAVs, it may not be possible to provide you with a like-for-like wheelchair accessible replacement vehicle. If a replacement vehicle is not a suitable option, or your WAV is likely to be off the road for less than 48 hours, we will try to find an alternative solution to support your continuous mobility.
More information
If you’d like more information on temporary replacement vehicles on the Scheme then please click here.
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