Top 10 best Motability cars 2024

Motability is a clever leasing scheme that helps those with reduced mobility in the UK to get on the road. It enables anyone receiving the higher rate mobility allowance to get into a car that’s right for them. There are plenty of options available, so we’ve picked the top 10 best Motability cars available today.

If you are eligible for the ‘Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment’ or the ‘Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance’ (HRMC DLA) then you will be able to apply for a Motability car. The payments are taken directly from the Department of Work and Pensions to Motability, and you can be provided the car for three years, or longer depending on availability and if any conversion is done to the vehicle.

Top 10 cars with the biggest boots

The Motability scheme has been in place for over 40 years and with approximately three million vehicles supplied. The range of cars that Motability supplies fits the needs of those that take up the scheme; everything from small city cars for the able-bodied that need a low-cost, reliable vehicle all the way to modified and converted larger vehicles for wheelchair-accessible-vehicles (WAVs) or those needing extra assistance. It is also possible to get vehicles configured for partial mobility, for example, someone with the use of one leg or arm. In between, there is everything from electric cars, to SUVs, and estate cars.

Those specialised converted vehicles need to fit your own unique set of circumstances, so this list concentrates on the cars representing the best value and with solid Carbuyer ratings that are available on the Motability scheme. We have divided the list into hatchbacks, SUVs and MPVs, so there should be something that fits the needs of all car buyers.

The Scheme has some rules and limitations that you will need to consider. While some vehicles don’t require any upfront payment, more expensive cars can require an ‘advance payment’ to cover the extra cost. Not all vehicles are available on the scheme to prevent fraud on very expensive cars, but there is still a wide selection including a small number of prestige brands.

Here are our picks of the best Motability cars you can get right now.

Hatchbacks

If you’re in need of a small car, there are plenty available through Motability. We’ve picked the best three, taking into consideration cost, efficiency, interior space and driving experience.

1. Renault Clio

The Renault Clio has never enjoyed quite the same success in the UK as the now-discontinued Ford Fiesta, but the latest generation is certainly good enough to change that. While the stylish looks are evolutionary, there’s a much bigger change inside; Renault has given its smallest model an array of premium-feeling soft-touch plastics, and the technology count has significantly increased.

High-spec models get a huge 9.3-inch touchscreen, while every model of the Clio gets LED headlights, cruise control and autonomous emergency braking. Motability is offering the E-Tech Hybrid model in Evolution trim with no advance payment, which we think is the best hatchback deal on offer. It comes with an automatic gearbox, a long list of standard equipment, and a clever hybrid system. Thanks to its ability to juggle power between its petrol engine and electric motor, the Clio E-Tech can manage up to 64.2mpg.

Pay a £245 advance payment and you can upgrade to Techno trim, or £595 for the top-spec Esprit Alpine model. Both bring even more interior kit, with items such as a larger central touchscreen and digital driver’s display.
 

2. Skoda Fabia

Winner of our Carbuyer Small Car of the Year 2024, the Skoda Fabia is one of our favourite hatchbacks, only missing out on top spot in this list due to the additional £199 advance payment required to get behind the wheel of an automatic version. If you’re happy to change gears the old-fashioned way, then you can lease a Fabia through Motability with no upfront charge.

Providing class-leading interior space front and back, the Fabia impressed us with its premium interior and comfortable ride quality during our in-depth review. The petrol TSI engine available with the cars through Motability is punchy and the DSG automatic gearbox is snappy, but it misses out on the hybrid tech of the Renault. 

With a £699 advance payment (£899 for the automatic), you can upgrade to the SE L trim, bringing a larger 9.2-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone air conditioning and all-round electric windows.

3. BYD Dolphin

The BYD Dolphin is the ideal hatchback for Motability users looking to make the switch to electric. We like it so much, in fact, that it won the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2024 outright.

Don’t be dissuaded if you’re unfamiliar with the BYD name; the Chinese carmaker has surpassed expectations with its range of new, affordable electric cars. The Dolphin is the best value of the bunch, providing a 265-mile range, plenty of interior space for four passengers, and impressive interior tech, including a 360-degree parking camera.

Motability offers the top-spec Design model with no advance payment, which brings extra goodies, such as a panoramic sunroof, on top of the generous standard equipment list. For Motability customers looking to ditch petrol-power, this is the hatchback to go for.

SUVs

If you need a car with more space than the ones listed above, then Motability offers a strong selection of SUVs. They tend to sit higher than a traditional hatchback or saloon car, providing an elevated view of the road ahead. This can also make it easier for some users to get in and out, so it's worth testing an SUV at your dealer to see if it’s right for you.

1. Kia Niro

The Kia Niro won our Carbuyer Car of the Year 2023 award, impressing us with a spacious interior and plentiful technology. It is available in two versions: a fully electric model or a petrol-based hybrid. Both cost the same through Motability, with a £349 advance payment required for the entry-level ‘2’ model.

The Niro has a raised driving and seating position, making it easier to get in and out of than a conventional hatchback, and boosting visibility. All models also feature an automatic gearbox making them easier to drive, although the overall driving experience can be a little dull compared to some of the cars on our list.

2. Skoda Kamiq

The Skoda Kamiq is the brand’s smallest SUV model, sitting beneath the larger Karoq and Kodiaq models. Despite its entry-level status, the Kamiq benefits from smart design and packaging and boasts an impressive 400-litre boot, and plenty of headroom for rear seat passengers. While ‘sportiness’ is not the aim of this compact SUV, it drives on the road with composed handling, and it's also refined at motorway speeds.

The Kamiq is available with a choice of petrol engines. There’s a 1.0-litre three-cylinder with either 94 or 109bhp – both cost the same through Motability so we recommend the more powerful option. For a larger upfront payment, you can have the 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 148bhp. When equipped with a six-speed manual, all engines can return around 50mpg, while opting for a DSG automatic gearbox reduces fuel economy to around 47mpg.

If you’re happy to pay an advance payment of £399, we recommend the SE L trim with the 109bhp engine and DSG gearbox. This offers the best blend of performance and usability and comes with plenty of kit, including LED headlights, rear parking sensors and a 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav.

3. SEAT Ateca

As the biggest SUV on this list, the SEAT Ateca offers great interior space and comfort, whilst still maintaining that valuable £0 advance payment if optioned in Xperience trim with a manual gearbox. Even if you’d prefer the DSG automatic, you will only have to pay £295 up front.

The SEAT Ateca shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan, but is offered at a more affordable price. It’s just as good to drive and we think it’s the better looking of the two SUVs.

Motability offers the Ateca in a range of trims, but the Xperience model is the one to go for. It has all the features you could need, including a digital driver’s display, navigation, and a rear view camera, and is the cheapest Ateca available through Motability, despite coming with more equipment than other trim levels. 

Unless you’re certain you need a car with four-wheel drive, we would avoid the 2.0-litre 4Drive models, as they command a steep advance payment. The 1.5-litre engine has more than enough grunt for everyday driving.

4. Jeep Avenger

As one of our favourite small SUVs, the Jeep Avenger deserves a spot on this list as an excellent-value electric alternative. Its small dimensions limit its interior space, but the raised driving position gives a clear view of the road ahead and may provide easier entry and exit for some drivers compared to a normal hatchback.

It uses a 54kWh battery to power its 154bhp electric motor, giving the Avenger a range of up to 248 miles (we achieved around 220 miles during our testing). Other than some wind noise when driving above 60mph, the interior is comfortable and well-equipped with plenty of storage cubbies. The big 10.25-inch infotainment display is great to use, too.

If you’re not ready to make the switch to electric driving, Jeep also offers the Avenger with a 99bhp petrol engine and manual gearbox. Both models are available through Motability with no advance payment required.

MPVs

Previously the car of choice for large families, MPVs are no longer as popular as they once were. There is a limited number to choose from through Motability, but we’ve highlighted the best options below. If you need maximum space and practicality, then these are the cars for you.

1. Dacia Jogger

The Dacia Jogger could be the ideal Motability car, thanks to the fact it offers MPV space and practicality for the cost of most superminis. There’s 213 litres of boot space with all seven seats in use, growing to 712 litres with five seats in use and a massive 1,807 litres when all the rear seats are stowed. The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine returns an impressive 48.7mpg, and there’s hybrid tech for the more expensive 1.6-litre model. 

The most basic Essential model with a manual gearbox requires a £395 advance payment, but this should still prove good value for anyone in need of a seven-seater with vast luggage space. This trim offers automatic emergency braking, air conditioning and rear parking sensors. 

If you can afford the £695 advance payment, we recommend the mid-spec Expression model with the 1.6-litre hybrid engine and automatic gearbox, good for 57.7mpg.

2. Citroen Berlingo

Unlike the Dacia Jogger, the Citroen Berlingo is a van-based MPV, meaning it comes with vast interior space and handy sliding doors. Offered through Motability with a choice of petrol, diesel and fully electric powertrains, the Berlingo is a great choice for buyers wanting something even roomier than the Jogger.

Citroen offers the Berlingo in two lengths, M and XL, with five or seven-seat configurations respectively. The required advance payment varies significantly depending on the model and engine choice, but the current cheapest is the electric five-seater version, at £495 upfront. If the electric model’s 174-mile range doesn’t sound like enough, then we recommend the petrol offering instead.

3. Peugeot Traveller

If interior space is your number one priority, then the Peugeot Traveller is likely the MPV for you. It’s essentially a kitted-out panel van, but that’s no bad thing, as it gives the Traveller bags of interior space, seating for eight people, and a pair of giant sliding doors.

It is no longer available with a diesel engine, Peugeot instead choosing to offer the Traveller exclusively as an EV. The 50kWh battery allows for around 140 miles on a single charge, which some drivers may find limiting. It comes in two lengths, Standard and Long, the latter likely to be too big for most customers. The standard model requires an advance payment of £1,999.

Motability also offers the Peugeot Traveller’s sister cars – the Citroen SpaceTourer and the Vauxhall Vivaro Life. These are best avoided as they command a much higher advance payment for essentially the same car.

Looking for the most effortless way to get from A to B? Check out our list of the top 10 most comfortable cars

Check out the reviews...

• Renault Clio Review
• Skoda Fabia Review
• BYD Dolphin Review
• Kia Niro Review
• Skoda Kamiq Review
• SEAT Ateca Review
• Jeep Avenger Review
• Dacia Jogger Review
• Citroen Berlingo Review
• Peugeot Traveller Review