If your Motability car is delayed, you won’t be left without options. You can extend your current lease, apply for a temporary vehicle, or hire a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) privately until your new car is delivered.
Why Do Motability Cars Get Delayed?
Motability cars — and especially wheelchair accessible vehicles — are more complex than standard cars, and supply chain issues mean delays are unfortunately common.
Typical reasons:
- Factory shortages: chips, parts, and base vehicles are in limited supply.
- Conversion times: WAVs require ramps, lifts, lowered floors, and safety testing.
- High demand: more people are joining the scheme, stretching available supply.
- Post-pandemic backlog: manufacturers are still catching up on orders.
As a result, delays of 6–12 months are not unusual. Some customers are even quoted 18 months+ depending on the vehicle model and conversion type.
How Do Delays Affect You?
For many Motability customers, delays can mean:
- Returning your old car before the new one is ready
- Being left without transport
- Relying on taxis, public transport, or friends
- Paying for alternative solutions out of pocket
If you rely on your WAV for independence, work, healthcare, or caring responsibilities, this can be hugely disruptive.
What Are My Options If My Motability Car Is Delayed?
1. Extend Your Current Lease
If your existing Motability vehicle is still roadworthy, Motability often allows you to extend your lease by 6 or 12 months while you wait for the replacement.
- This gives you continuity without extra cost.
- Speak to Motability directly before your hand-back date.
- Works well if you don’t urgently need a different vehicle.
2. Request a Temporary Vehicle
Motability can sometimes arrange a temporary hire vehicle through their partners.
- Usually a standard car, not a WAV.
- Covers basic mobility needs while you wait.
- Not suitable if you require a fully adapted wheelchair accessible vehicle.
3. Hire or Subscribe to a WAV Privately
If you can’t extend your lease and need full wheelchair accessibility, hiring or subscribing to a WAV is often the best solution.
For example, with ORA you can:
- Hire short-term (from £60/day) if your wait is only weeks.
- Subscribe long-term (from £750/month) if your wait is several months.
- Get nationwide delivery in 24–48 hours.
- Enjoy insurance, breakdown cover, unlimited mileage
- Cancel penalty-free when your Motability car arrives (with proof of delivery).
See how ORA helps Motability customers stay mobile
4. Use Specialist Transport Services
Some councils, charities, or local transport schemes provide community transport for disabled passengers.
- Can work for essential trips like hospital appointments.
- Often requires advance booking and may not suit daily travel needs.
What If I’ve Already Returned My Old Car?
If you’ve handed your old Motability car back and your new one isn’t ready:
- Ask Motability if they can arrange a temporary hire vehicle.
- If it must be a WAV, you’ll likely need to hire privately.
- Keep receipts for any essential journeys — in some cases, Motability may reimburse certain costs (check with them directly).
Real Stories: Living With Delays
Mark, Leeds: “My WAV was delayed 10 months. I couldn’t manage without transport, so I took out a subscription with ORA. It cost me £750/month but meant I could keep working and get my kids to school.”
Q: Can I extend my Motability lease if my new car is delayed?
Yes. Motability usually allows lease extensions of 6–12 months while waiting for a delayed vehicle.
Q: Will Motability give me a temporary car if my order is late?
Sometimes. They can arrange a hire car, but it may not be wheelchair accessible.
Q: What if I need a WAV and can’t wait?
You can hire or subscribe to a WAV through providers like ORA. Delivery is usually within 48 hours.
Q: Can I cancel my private hire when my Motability car arrives?
Yes. ORA allows penalty-free cancellation when your Motability car is delivered (proof required).
Q: Do I lose my Advance Payment if there’s a delay?
No. It’s tied to your order and remains valid until your vehicle is ready.
How to Plan Ahead
- Ask for updates – keep in touch with your Motability dealer about estimated delivery times.
- Request lease extension early – don’t leave it until the week your car is due back.
- Budget for alternatives – if you can’t extend, know your options for WAV hire.
- Check cancellation terms – make sure you can stop hire without penalties.
- Keep receipts – if you incur travel costs, ask Motability if reimbursement is possible.
Conclusion: You’re Not Stuck
Delays in getting a Motability car are frustrating, but you’re not left without options. Whether through lease extensions, temporary vehicles, or hiring a WAV, you can stay mobile until your new car arrives.
At ORA, we make the process simple:
- Vehicles delivered in 24–48 hours
- Flexible rentals or subscriptions
- Insurance, breakdown cover, unlimited mileage included
- Cancel free when your Motability car is delivered
Stay mobile while you wait for your Motability car, hire a WAV today.
