When someone on the Motability Scheme dies, the lease ends from the date of death. The vehicle belongs to Motability Operations – not to the estate – and it must be returned. Most families have around two weeks from when they notify Motability to arrange the return. During that window, the vehicle is still insured and taxed, and named drivers can continue using it to handle practical affairs.
The most important thing to do first: call Motability on 0300 456 4566 before you contact the DWP, the DVLA, or use Tell Us Once. The order matters.
How to notify Motability Operations
Call Motability Operations on 0300 456 4566 as soon as you are able to. The team handles bereavement enquiries and can be reached Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Lines are staffed with people trained for sensitive situations; many families report the team to be understanding and practical.
If you prefer not to call immediately, you can submit an online notification form on the Motability website and they will respond within three working days. The form is available at motability.co.uk/get-support/contact/notification-of-a-customer-passing-away.
When you contact them, have the following to hand:
| Information needed | Notes |
|---|---|
| Name of the deceased | As it appears on the Motability account |
| Date of death | Motability calculates the lease end from this date |
| Vehicle registration number | On the V5C or the lease documents |
| Your contact details | So they can confirm collection arrangements |
| Death certificate | You may be asked to provide a copy |
You do not need probate or a grant of administration to contact Motability or arrange the return. Any family member or personal representative can notify them.
The return timeline
Once you have notified Motability, named drivers on the account can continue using the vehicle for up to two weeks to handle practical matters – attending appointments, managing the estate, and preparing for the return. After that period, the vehicle must be given back.
Motability will arrange free collection from a home address, hospital, care facility, or other location. If the vehicle is not driveable, they can send a recovery vehicle. If it is easier for you, you can also return the vehicle yourself to a dealership – and if you do, Motability may offer a £100 collection bonus.
You do not need to clean or prepare the vehicle in any special way. Normal wear and tear is expected. Any adaptations fitted to the vehicle do not need to be removed before return (see the section below on adaptations).
What if two weeks is not enough time?
Contact Motability and explain your circumstances. They have discretion to extend the return window in cases where the estate is complex, the vehicle is being used regularly for care-related reasons, or there are practical difficulties arranging the return. They cannot extend the insurance cover indefinitely, so it is important to keep them informed rather than simply letting the deadline pass.
What happens to the Motability order if the vehicle has not been delivered yet
If the deceased had placed an order for a new Motability vehicle that had not yet been delivered at the time of death, contact Motability as soon as possible. Orders in progress can be cancelled and any advance payment reserved for the order will be refunded.
What happens to the advance payment
Many Motability customers pay an Advance Payment at the start of the lease – a lump sum to bring down the cost of a car that costs more than the standard allowance covers. If an advance payment was made, Motability will refund the unused portion to the estate on a pro-rata basis.
For example: if someone paid a £3,000 advance payment and died eight months into a three-year (36-month) lease, the estate would receive a refund for the remaining 28 months – roughly 78% of the advance payment.
The refund is issued by cheque and sent to the estate. It does not require probate in most cases, but Motability may ask for confirmation of who is handling the estate.
Important: some families have reported that Motability did not proactively mention the advance payment refund. Raise it explicitly when you call. Ask: “Was an advance payment made, and can we arrange for it to be refunded to the estate?”
If the vehicle is in good condition when returned, there is no early termination fee charged on death. The standard £250 administration fee that applies to other early terminations is waived in bereavement cases. (Source: forum.whichmobilitycar.co.uk)
What happens to named drivers
If the deceased was the Motability customer but other people – a spouse, a carer, a family member – were registered as named drivers on the lease, those drivers can continue using the vehicle during the two-week return window.
The vehicle remains insured for registered named drivers during this period, provided Motability has been notified and the two-week window has not expired. Driving after the window closes is not permitted, as the insurance cover will no longer be valid.
If there are no currently registered named drivers and you need someone to drive the vehicle in order to return it, contact Motability. They can add a driver to the account temporarily to facilitate the return.
Named drivers cannot take over the Motability lease in their own name. The scheme is linked to the disabled person’s mobility allowance (PIP or DLA Enhanced Mobility component, or Armed Forces Independence Payment). A named driver who has their own eligibility for a mobility allowance would need to apply for the Motability Scheme in their own right.
What happens to the PIP or DLA mobility component
The Motability Scheme works by redirecting the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), directly to Motability Operations to fund the lease. When the customer dies, both the benefit and the lease end.
PIP and DLA stop from the exact date of death. Any payments received after the date of death are overpayments and must be repaid to the DWP. (Source: withfarra.co.uk)
Tell Us Once – do this in the right order
The government’s Tell Us Once service notifies multiple departments about a death simultaneously, including the DWP and DVLA. However, if you use Tell Us Once before contacting Motability, it can trigger the DVLA to cancel the vehicle tax – which means the car cannot legally be driven on the road, including during the two-week return window.
The correct order is:
- Contact Motability first (0300 456 4566)
- Motability will check which named drivers are registered and confirm the two-week window
- Use Tell Us Once or notify the DWP and DVLA separately after that
Motability will co-ordinate with the DWP to manage the timing of the benefit cancellation and keep the lease running for the return period. (Source: motability.co.uk)
If you have already used Tell Us Once before reading this, contact Motability immediately to explain. They may be able to reinstate the tax for the return period, or arrange collection from wherever the vehicle is currently parked.
Vehicle adaptations
Many Motability vehicles are fitted with adaptations – hand controls, steering aids, wheelchair-accessible ramps, hoists, swivel seats, and similar equipment. When the vehicle is returned, you do not need to remove any adaptations.
The position of any adaptations when you return the vehicle is as follows:
- Motability-funded adaptations – these were fitted as part of the scheme and remain with the vehicle permanently. They become Motability Operations’ property and are handled as part of the return.
- Privately funded adaptations – adaptations that the customer paid for themselves sit in a different category. If you wish to recover a privately funded adaptation (for example, a specialist hand control system worth several thousand pounds), contact Motability before the vehicle is returned. They can advise on whether removal is possible and whether a technician needs to attend.
In practice, most adaptations are Motability-funded and most families simply return the vehicle as-is. If you are unsure how an adaptation was paid for, ask Motability when you call.
Insurance during the return period
Motability vehicles are insured under the scheme’s own block insurance policy, which covers all registered drivers. This insurance remains in force for the two-week return window, provided:
- Motability has been notified of the death
- You contact Motability before using Tell Us Once (to preserve the road tax)
- Only registered named drivers use the vehicle
The insurance does not carry over to a new owner or transfer to the estate. It covers the vehicle only for the purpose of returning it during the authorised return period.
If the vehicle is involved in an accident during the return period, contact Motability Operations directly – not the deceased’s separate car insurer.
Common questions
Can the family keep the car?
No. The Motability Scheme is a lease, not a purchase agreement. The vehicle belongs to Motability Operations and must be returned at the end of the lease. There is no option for the family to buy the vehicle at the end, although in some cases Motability may be able to facilitate a purchase through the dealer – contact them to ask if this is something you want to explore.
Does the estate owe any outstanding payments?
No. The estate is not liable for any remaining lease payments. The lease ends at the date of death and outstanding instalments are written off. (Source: motability.co.uk)
What if the vehicle was damaged or has excess mileage?
Motability applies a fair wear and tear standard when assessing returned vehicles. Damage beyond fair wear and tear, or mileage above the agreed limit, can result in charges – but Motability typically handles bereavement returns with discretion. Raise any concerns about the vehicle’s condition when you call.
Can a carer or spouse apply for their own Motability vehicle?
Potentially, yes – if they receive PIP Enhanced Rate Mobility Component, the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement in their own right. The Motability Scheme is based on the claimant’s own benefit entitlement. A carer does not inherit the deceased’s scheme place but can apply separately if they qualify. See motability.co.uk/apply for eligibility details.
What about scooters and powered wheelchairs?
The Motability Scheme also covers scooters and powered wheelchairs. These cannot be used by other people after the customer dies – they should be stored safely until Motability arranges collection. Contact Motability on 0300 456 4566 and they will arrange collection at no cost. (Source: motability.co.uk)
Summary: what to do and in what order
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Call Motability on 0300 456 4566 | As soon as possible |
| 2 | Confirm named drivers and the return window | During the call |
| 3 | Ask about the advance payment refund | During the call |
| 4 | Use Tell Us Once or notify DWP separately | After contacting Motability |
| 5 | Return the vehicle or arrange free collection | Within two weeks of notification |
| 6 | Chase the advance payment refund cheque | 2–4 weeks after return |
For help notifying other government departments, our guide on how to notify the DWP when someone dies covers PIP, DLA, State Pension, and the Tell Us Once process in full. If the deceased also had a privately owned car, see what happens to a car when someone dies. For road tax and the driving licence, see how to notify the DVLA when someone dies. If the deceased held a Blue Badge, that is a separate return process from the vehicle – see what happens to a Blue Badge when someone dies.
The Motability team is experienced at handling bereavement calls. You do not need to have everything in order before you ring – they will guide you through what is needed.
Motability Operations bereavement line: 0300 456 4566