Motability car scheme welcomes Alfa Romeo

Motability, the leading car scheme for disabled people, has kick-started 2008 with even more choice. Available for the first time from January 2008 are models by Alfa Romeo including the Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 TS Turismo starting from £3,786 advance payment, and the159 and 159 Sportwagon Alfa Romeo models.

The January 2008 price list also sees several large price-drops making the Scheme even more affordable with some reductions of over £1,000. These include the Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet, and the Skoda Fabia. The Ford New Focus is also now available for the first time and at nil advance payment.

Makes and models that have fallen to nil advance payment include the Dodge Caliber, the Kia Carens 2.0, the Seat Ibiza 1.4, the Skoda Roomster 2 1.4, the Suzuki Swift 1.3 and the Toyota Yaris TR 1.6. Anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement could drive away one of these models at no extra cost after the monthly payment of their allowance, apart from fuel.

Popular favourites available on the Motability Car Scheme that remain at nil advance payment include the Citroen C4 1.6i 16v SX, the Fiat Doblo 1.4 8v Active, the new Ford Focus 1.8 125 Style, the Honda Jazz 1.2i-DSI, the Nissan Note 1.4 16v Acenta, the Peugeot 207 2 Urban, the Renault New Megane HB Dyn 1.6 (automatic) and the Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Life.

Commenting on the new 2008 additions and price list, Motability Operations chief executive, Mike Betts said: “Choice of manufacturers available on the Motability car scheme has increased over 30% in the last three years. We are consistently updating the range and models available to ensure that customers will always find the perfect car for them, regardless of their budget, taste and mobility. Several models this year have fallen very significantly in price, and we have also ensured that popular new additions, such as the Ford New Mondeo, have become more affordable.”

Key new models introduced to the Motability Car Scheme in January 2008 are the Audi A5 with prices from £10,799 advance payment, the Citroen C-Crosser from £4,750 advance payment, the Hyundai i30 from £995 advance payment, the MINI Clubman from £2,823 advance payment and the Peugeot 308 with nil advance payment.

Highlights of the developments to the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) available on the Motability Car Scheme include an increase in the number of models available at nil advance payment taking the total to 24 options now with no additional cost. Prices for WAVs have fallen by an average of over £300 compared to the end of 2007. There are now over 530 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles available on the Motability Car Scheme representing around 15% of the total selection of car makes and models now on offer.

The Motability Scheme offers disabled people who receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance a brand new car every three years including insurance, personal accident cover, aftersales servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance from the RAC, an allowance of 60,000 miles over the three years, and free tyre replacement.

For more information about the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk.