Motability Breakdown Cover: Help When You Need It

What Motability breakdown cover includes

The Motability Scheme bundles insurance cover, servicing, routine maintenance and breakdown support into the lease for an eligible Scheme vehicle. That means a fault does not leave you searching for a separate policy or negotiating costs at the roadside.

This package does not promise payment for every accident, damage event or work outside its terms.

For cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), the service is RAC Motability Assist. The RAC provides support throughout the lease when the Scheme vehicle breaks down, whether the issue is mechanical, electrical or related to a puncture.

Roadside repair and recovery

The patrol will first try to make the vehicle safe and fix the fault where it has stopped. If that is not possible, RAC can take it to the nearest appropriate repairer.

Keep the vehicle's registration number, your location and any access needs ready. Tell the adviser if a wheelchair needs to remain in the vehicle, if a passenger cannot transfer easily, or if essential equipment is on board.

The official RAC Motability Assist breakdown guidance also explains how recovery and onward arrangements are assessed after a roadside repair is ruled out.

Replacement vehicles and onward arrangements

A replacement vehicle is not automatic, but RAC may provide a standard hire car for up to 48 hours when it decides the original car is not safe to drive. If your WAV is unavailable for more than 48 hours, Motability provides a replacement Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

Depending on the circumstances, RAC may also assess whether onward travel or overnight accommodation is appropriate. Ask what support may be available if your journey cannot continue.

That distinction matters for families travelling with a wheelchair user. A standard hire car may not meet the needs of someone travelling in a WAV, so tell the adviser about the wheelchair dimensions, ramp or lift requirements, and whether the passenger remains seated.

A regular hire car may not meet the needs of a WAV user. Give RAC the practical details at the first call, rather than waiting until arrangements are made.

How to report a Motability breakdown safely

If the vehicle is driveable, move to a safe location before reporting the problem. Turn on hazard lights where appropriate and keep passengers away from moving traffic.

For roadside assistance after a car or WAV breakdown, call RAC Motability Assist on 0800 73 111 73. You can also call 0333 202 1878 from a mobile, or send a text to 07855 828 282 if that is more accessible.

Use the myRAC app when you are unsure of your location

The myRAC app can share your precise location with RAC. This is helpful on unfamiliar A-roads, rural routes, large car parks and motorways where a sign may be hard to spot.

Before a long journey, download the app, sign in and check that your phone is charged. A passenger or carer can report the breakdown if the driver is shaken, injured or managing another urgent need.

Describe the warning lights, unusual noises, tyre damage or charging problem. For an electric vehicle, state the battery percentage, whether the vehicle is charging, and if it is in a safe bay. Never attempt to handle damaged cables or a damaged battery yourself.

If you break down on a motorway

The Highway Code breakdown rules say to get off the road where possible and warn other traffic. On a smart motorway, aim for an emergency refuge area or motorway service station if the vehicle can move safely and either option is reachable.

A collision or other accident isn't automatically the same as a breakdown. Call 999 where there's immediate danger, then follow the appropriate insurer or official emergency advice.

If the car stops in a live lane, switch on hazard lights. Leave by the left-hand side and get behind a barrier if you can do so safely. Call 999 if there's immediate danger. If you cannot leave safely, remain belted in the vehicle and call 999.

A wheelchair user may not be able to reach a barrier independently. Tell the emergency operator and RAC adviser this straight away, along with how many people are in the vehicle and whether anyone needs urgent assistance.

Breakdown help for scooters and powered wheelchairs

The Motability Scooter & Powerchair Leasing Scheme includes breakdown support for the duration of the lease. For scooters and powered wheelchair products, contact Motability Assist, provided by Autohome, rather than RAC Motability Assist for cars and WAVs.

The service operates 24 hours a day on 0800 953 5000. It aims to get you and your equipment home safely when a leased scooter or powered wheelchair develops a fault.

What to say when you call Autohome

Give your name, postcode or clear location, scooter or powerchair make and model, plus the issue you can see. Explain if the product has stopped, has a flat tyre, won't charge, or is showing a fault code.

Also mention batteries, oxygen, pressure-relief cushions or other essential equipment you need during the wait. If you're somewhere without shelter, describe the weather and whether you have someone with you.

For the latest support details, see Motability's scooter and powered wheelchair breakdown service.

Small checks that prevent avoidable call-outs

A low battery is one of the most common causes of a disrupted trip. Charge fully before a longer outing, especially in cold weather, and avoid relying on the final battery bars.

Before leaving home, check the tyres, lights, horn and charging lead. Carry a phone, waterproof layer and contact details. Don't dismantle battery connections at the roadside or try to force a scooter up a kerb after a fault.

Choose a scooter with servicing in mind

Breakdown support is reassuring, yet the best call-out is the one you never need. In Mobility World's servicing experience, regular checks of tyre pressure, brake response and battery condition can identify problems before they interrupt a journey.

Mobility World is an award-winning dealer with practical aftercare support for customers and families. Its engineers use a 74-point servicing inspection covering batteries and connections, wheels and tyres, brakes, steering adjustments and a road test.

Start with a home assessment

The right product depends on more than its top speed. A dealer should assess thresholds, hallway width, storage, charging access, uneven pavements, dropped kerbs, hills, gradients and the route from your home to the pavement.

Mobility World Letchworth can support home assessments across a 35-mile radius, including Hitchin, Baldock, Stevenage, Royston, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Bedford, where availability is confirmed. Mobility World Harrow covers a minimum 10-mile radius around the branch, including areas such as Pinner, Ruislip, Stanmore, Northwood, Wembley and Watford, subject to confirmation.

Use the assessment to compare a compact travel model, a mid-size model and a more robust road-capable model from the current Mobility Scooter collection. Consider turning circle, suspension, ground clearance, range, storage and gradient suitability. This can prevent a costly mistake, such as choosing a heavy road scooter for a narrow indoor route or a compact model for steep, uneven paths.

Explore Motability scooter and powerchair leasing to compare suitable new products through the Motability Scheme, with servicing, maintenance and breakdown support included.

Questions customers should ask before delivery

Ask where the scooter will be charged and whether the route to the pavement has dropped kerbs. Check that the seat, tiller and controls suit the user's reach and strength.

If a family member plans to help, ask them to attend the demonstration. The dealer delivers the product to your home after the order, and you should be comfortable using it before relying on it for regular journeys. For advice from the Harrow or Letchworth team, Contact Us.

Taking a Motability car or WAV abroad

A European trip needs preparation. Before you travel, request a Vehicle on Hire Certificate, known as a VE103, from RAC on 0800 731 3310. Motability asks customers to apply at least three weeks before departure.

The certificate doesn't itself guarantee overseas insurance, accident cover or roadside help. Check what your Motability breakdown cover includes before you leave, including any assistance arrangements.

The certificate is normally valid for 12 months and may cover multiple trips. Motability generally permits travel abroad for up to 90 days in a 12-month period, but confirm your destination, dates and eligibility when you apply.

Fees and documents to check

An administration fee may apply, depending on your circumstances and order date. Customers receiving qualifying allowances through Social Security Scotland may have different arrangements, so check the current position with Motability.

Carry the certificate, driving licence, insurance information and any medical or mobility equipment paperwork you may need. If you're taking an electric vehicle, confirm charging points, route planning and overseas assistance before leaving. RAC's Vehicle on Hire Certificate information is a useful starting point before booking travel.

Caravan or trailer towing needs separate confirmation

Don't assume standard arrangements include a caravan or trailer, or that overseas assistance is included. Separate European breakdown cover may be needed, depending on your plans.

Ask RAC and Motability for written confirmation before fitting a towbar, towing a caravan or trailer, or planning a caravan holiday. Confirm the lease, insurance and vehicle suitability in writing. This is particularly important where a WAV conversion or powered lift may affect suitability for a caravan or trailer.

Confidence comes from knowing the next step

Breakdown assistance gives you a clear route to help, but quick, accurate information makes getting help easier. Save the right number, keep your equipment serviced and explain access needs as soon as you call.

For carers and families, the strongest plan combines routine checks with a scooter, powerchair, car or WAV that fits everyday life. Reliable mobility begins before a journey, not only when something goes wrong.

About Mobility World

Mobility World is a UK mobility equipment specialist serving customers since 1990 through showrooms in Harrow and Letchworth Garden City.

Our team helps customers choose mobility scooters, powerchairs, adjustable beds and daily living aids through suitability assessments, home delivery, installation and ongoing servicing and repairs.

Visit our showrooms:

• Harrow showroom – 78-80 Station Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 2RX
• Letchworth showroom – Birds Hill, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1HX

Customers can test equipment in store or arrange home assessments across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, North London and North West London.

Why Trust Mobility World?

Since 1990, we have been far more than an online retailer. Our advice is backed by:

• Physical Showrooms: Visit us in Harrow or Letchworth for hands-on demonstrations and expert guidance.
• Trading Standards Approved: Buy with Confidence — independently verified consumer protection.
• Driving Mobility Approved: PWMS Trained and Accredited — recognised professional standards in powered wheelchair and mobility scooter assessment.
• Expert Engineers: Our own mobile engineers provide lifetime support, servicing and repairs — not third-party contractors. That means accountability and continuity of care.
• 0% Finance Available: Spread the cost with interest-free finance options on selected products.
• Price Match Promise: Found it cheaper elsewhere? We'll match it — see our Price Match Promise.

Need a scooter or powerchair with servicing and breakdown support?

Browse Motability scooters and powerchairs online, call your nearest showroom for advice, or arrange a home assessment.

People also ask about Motability breakdown cover

Who do I call if my Motability car breaks down?

Call RAC Motability Assist on 0800 73 111 73. You can also call 0333 202 1878 from a mobile, or text 07855 828 282 if that is more accessible. RAC Motability Assist covers Motability cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).

Who do I call if my Motability scooter or powerchair breaks down?

Call Motability Assist, provided by Autohome, on 0800 953 5000. The service operates 24 hours a day and covers leased scooters and powered wheelchairs. RAC Motability Assist is for cars and WAVs only.

Is breakdown cover included with a Motability scooter or powerchair?

Yes. The Motability Scooter & Powerchair Leasing Scheme includes breakdown support for the duration of the lease. View Motability scooters and powerchairs available through Mobility World.

Will Motability provide a replacement vehicle if my car breaks down?

Not automatically. RAC may provide a standard hire car for up to 48 hours when it decides the original car is not safe to drive. If your WAV is unavailable for more than 48 hours, Motability provides a replacement Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

What should I do if my Motability vehicle breaks down on a motorway?

Get off the road where possible and warn other traffic. If the car stops in a live lane, switch on hazard lights, leave by the left-hand side and get behind a barrier if you can do so safely, and call 999 if there is immediate danger. If you cannot leave safely, remain belted in the vehicle and call 999.

Does Mobility World offer home assessments before I choose a scooter?

Yes. Mobility World's Harrow and Letchworth teams support home assessments where availability is confirmed. An assessment looks at thresholds, hallway width, storage, charging access, uneven pavements, dropped kerbs and gradients. Contact our team to arrange one.

Frequently asked questions

Final step: get local support from Harrow or Letchworth

Next steps: Browse our range online, speak to a specialist, or visit either showroom for a hands-on demonstration.

Motability Options | All Mobility Scooters | Powerchairs | Replacement Batteries | Free Expert Advice

For local support: Mobility World Harrow hub and Mobility World Letchworth hub.