Have your say: Have you ever spotted a Motability vehicle being misused — or do you think the scheme is open to abuse? With hundreds of these vehicles now linked to criminal activity, we want to hear your thoughts. Is the system being taken advantage of, or are these isolated incidents being blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments below..
Vehicles provided under the Motability scheme have been involved in hundreds of criminal incidents, according to new figures.
Several police forces reported impounding more than 500 Motability-registered vehicles in connection with a range of offenses, including theft, fraud, and dangerous driving.
The findings have raised concerns about potential misuse of the scheme.
North Wales Police stated that between 2019 and 2024, they seized 43 vehicles registered under the scheme. Of these, seven were impounded for drink-driving offenses, while others were linked to theft, burglary, and fraud.
Other forces also reported significant numbers: South Yorkshire recorded 305 Motability vehicles impounded, Leicestershire reported 69, and Wiltshire 167.
Only four of the 43 police forces in England and Wales responded to Freedom of Information requests from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, with most stating they do not specifically track whether a vehicle is part of the Motability scheme. This suggests that the total number of vehicles involved in crimes could be much higher.
William Yarwood, a spokesperson for the Alliance, commented: "Given the number of Motability vehicles on the road, questions should now rightly be asked about their use and whether any are being involved in criminal activity. Our investigation suggests this could be a problem."
Motability, which provides vehicles to eligible individuals with disabilities, has previously faced scrutiny after it was revealed to hold more than £4 billion in reserves while receiving at least £2.5 billion annually from the Department for Work and Pensions.
A government spokesperson stated: "Any misuse of the scheme is a matter for Motability and, where appropriate, the police."
Motability responded: "We take misuse extremely seriously and have a dedicated team of around 70 people working to detect and prevent any improper use of the scheme."
