Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Elderly parents

sister and motability car

107 replies

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 23/03/2023 19:37

Would love your thoughts on this. The background is there are 4 siblings including me and our 84 year old DM. Generally we all do our bit to help her albeit I do the most with hospital/ doctors /opticians appointments as I'm retired. I found out today that my sister has had a brand new car on Motability and is paying DM what she would otherwise receive in disability payments. She's done this with no consultation with the rest of us. Indeed one of my DBs suggested he could the very same thing a few years ago but same sister strongly objected. DM has early signs of vascular dementia although seems to understand this situation. I feel quite cross as I think my sister has a brand new car to swan about it but won't be doing all the running around that I do. In fact I'm thinking of stepping back and not doing it anymore. I don't want DM to suffer but she saw fit to hide it from me and my DBs so now will have to ask sister to do it all from now on. It's the sneakiness that's got to me more than anything.

OP posts:

Thanks

Share

Report

Babyroobs · 25/03/2023 21:53

THisbackwithavengeance · 25/03/2023 21:49

I'm always a bit when people have Motability cars for other relatives that they don't actually live with. Apparently justified by the occasional hospital visit and shopping trip.

And nothing to do with the fact they want a free brand new car off the back of their elderly Gran.

Probably better financially for the disabled person if they kept their full PIP/DLA and got taxis whenever they needed to go out.

Shame on people that do this; you know you're taking the piss.

I work in this area of work and there are a lot of pisstakers. Sorry to say that but it's true. My ex colleague would drive his mums to work every day and just use it for his own use.

Thanks

Chateau13 · 25/03/2023 21:58

My S is entitled to a mobility car or should I say I am on his behalf as he lives at home and though he is with me 90% of the time when I’m driving my car it’s that 10% that means he can’t have one. Any percentage of time that the disabled person is not in the car is illegal.

Thanks

premicrois · 25/03/2023 22:08

Any percentage of time that the disabled person is not in the car is illegal.

That's not true at all.

Firstly there are circumstances where a parent had a car for their child and are allowed to use it as the family car. Secondly, there is no law regarding motability leases, just their own terms and conditions.

Thanks

Throwncrumbs · 25/03/2023 22:46

This system is so over abused it’s ridiculous! Hope the car is removed from your sister!

Thanks

Babyroobs · 25/03/2023 23:36

Throwncrumbs · 25/03/2023 22:46

This system is so over abused it’s ridiculous! Hope the car is removed from your sister!

Yep because they are an exceptional deal. Literally as a benefits advisor it is the number one question I am asked frequently ! " How can I get a motorbility car ". And in all honestly I am blooming gobsmacked at some of the 85 year olds who got them 25+ years ago on DLA and can move faster then I can( prepared to be flamed).

Thanks

LadyJ2023 · 26/03/2023 00:55

You do know she isn't allowed to swan about in a disability car. It's only for the use or benefit for the disabled person hiring it not for any Tom dick and Harry to drive about in. Be careful if she got reported your mum could lose it

Thanks

LadyJ2023 · 26/03/2023 00:59

Chateau13 · 25/03/2023 21:58

My S is entitled to a mobility car or should I say I am on his behalf as he lives at home and though he is with me 90% of the time when I’m driving my car it’s that 10% that means he can’t have one. Any percentage of time that the disabled person is not in the car is illegal.

Your wrong chateau the disabled person does not have to be in the car with you. It's for the benefit of the person also. I.e you going out to work or shopping or getting meds for him. So my hubby can drive mine out with kids because its benefiting me giving me space at home from them and benefiting my disability same as work he occasionally borrows mine if his is in garage as work is benefiting me him paying the bills etc etc

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:03

I have a Motability car and I can tell you that if she gets stopped and she cannot PROVE that she is doing something for your mum's benefit then she will be deemed as an uninsured driver and will be prosecuted and so will your mum. The car will also be seized. This is a very serious issue and you MUST report it!

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:04

@Chateau13 No you're wrong. I have one and my mum or brother can use my car if they're getting something for me or doing something to benefit me. Otherwise they're uninsured.

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:07

@Babyroobs Have you any idea how exceptionally difficult it is to not only be awarded PIP but to be awarded the Enhanced Mobility rate? If you really are a DWP advisor I'm very shocked at your comment.

I expect the ones you've seen (how you'd know they were Motability cars is baffling to me as they don't say it on them - I should know!) are being driven by their carers as to be awarded Enhanced Mobility you need to not be able to walk more than 20 metres OR not be able to go out unaccompanied

Thanks

Babyroobs · 26/03/2023 02:08

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:07

@Babyroobs Have you any idea how exceptionally difficult it is to not only be awarded PIP but to be awarded the Enhanced Mobility rate? If you really are a DWP advisor I'm very shocked at your comment.

I expect the ones you've seen (how you'd know they were Motability cars is baffling to me as they don't say it on them - I should know!) are being driven by their carers as to be awarded Enhanced Mobility you need to not be able to walk more than 20 metres OR not be able to go out unaccompanied

I'm not talking about PIP, I know that is exceptionally hard to get.

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:11

Chateau13 · 25/03/2023 21:58

My S is entitled to a mobility car or should I say I am on his behalf as he lives at home and though he is with me 90% of the time when I’m driving my car it’s that 10% that means he can’t have one. Any percentage of time that the disabled person is not in the car is illegal.

I don't know who has told you this but it's wildly incorrect.

This is from the Motability website itself:

sister and motability car

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:12

@Babyroobs 🤦🏼‍♀️ The only way you can get a Motability car is by being awarded either PIP (Enhanced Mobility Rate) or DLA (High Mobility Rate) or War Widow's Pension

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:13

@Babyroobs So much for being a DWP Advisor.....🤔🫢

Thanks

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:16

Also, adults are no longer in receipt of DLA! It is now only in existence for disabled children (apart from an exceptionally tiny number of people).

Disabled Adults claim PIP (However an adult can get a Motability vehicle if they have a disabled child in receipt of DLA).

Thanks

nokidshere · 26/03/2023 02:32

The car must be only used to carry the disabled person. Not for the benefit of others. Not true.

I'm pretty sure that Motability changed the rules a few years back which said that except in exceptional circumstances the Motability vehicle has to be kept at the address of the disabled person. It was precisely to stop this type of 'fraud'. So they've presumably lied to Motability . Also Not True

I have read rules carefully and I can only drive car if foster child is in car or if coming back from dropping him off or going to collect him and the rest of the time I have to drive my own car when foster child is not in car and I'm not doing something for him. Your sister can only drive the car when your Mum is in it or she is collecting your Mum and your Mum's car should be kept at your Mum's address. I'd be reporting sister if she abused the motability scheme which is meant to support disabled people not their relatives. Also Not True

I have a Motability car and I can tell you that if she gets stopped and she cannot PROVE that she is doing something for your mum's benefit then she will be deemed as an uninsured driver and will be prosecuted and so will your mum. The car will also be seized. This is a very serious issue and you MUST report it! Also Not True

There are so many things on this thread which are complete nonsense. The mobility vehicle is paid for by the claimant using funds they would otherwise get in cash. It is not the property of Motability and it is certainly not tracked.

The only rule about having one is that it must be of benefit to the person paying for it. That could mean a parent going to work, a daughter doing parents shopping, the whole family going on holiday and a million other things which mean the person paying for the car has some added benefit to their lives even if they are not actually in the car. Only 2 people can be insured on the car (with the exception of multiple carers) and, in most cases, the insured person (if not the claimant) must be over the age of 25. Using a motability vehicle does not mean that the other drivers can use blue badge spaces (unless the claimant is with them).

People,speak about motability cars as if they are a free resource. They are not. Most cost all of the 260 a month that you would otherwise get in cash if you chose not to get the car.

OPs relative is certainly using the car fraudulently as evidenced by her paying her mum the amount mum has deducted from her payments to pay for the car. If she has the car she does the lions share of the work that benefits her mum.

Thanks

sashh · 26/03/2023 02:53

forrestgreen · 25/03/2023 18:13

The car must be only used to carry the disabled person. Not for the benefit of others.
You can report it

Not exactly true, it is for the benefit of the disabled person, eg if a child gets PIP / DLA then the parent can have a motability car and drive the child to school, they obviously then drive home without the child.

Thanks

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 26/03/2023 03:00

She can only use the car if your mum is in the car
she cannot use it for her own benefit

Thanks

Gingerkittykat · 26/03/2023 04:32

I hope your sister gets caught or that you report her.

For £270 a month she is getting a new car insured, taxed, serviced and breakdown cover. She is a massive pisstaker.

Thanks

Chateau13 · 26/03/2023 07:23

You can’t use it to swan around in it.

Thanks

Theblackdogagain · 26/03/2023 07:33

Some interesting thoughts here. Technically my 13 year old son has a mobility car. However it's in my husbands name and both if us are named drivers. We also have a large private owned car and use the one that makes the most sense for the trip/ people in car. The car is mostly used to drive ds to school/hospital/sports etc as the family run around.

Thanks

Chateau13 · 26/03/2023 07:45

Theblackdogagain · 26/03/2023 07:33

Some interesting thoughts here. Technically my 13 year old son has a mobility car. However it's in my husbands name and both if us are named drivers. We also have a large private owned car and use the one that makes the most sense for the trip/ people in car. The car is mostly used to drive ds to school/hospital/sports etc as the family run around.

Exactly the reason I don’t have one because I use my existing car 10% of the time on my own and not doing anything related to him so that’s enough not to be entitled to one because I want to keep within the law.

Thanks

rose69 · 26/03/2023 08:27

In addition to the monthly payment there is also an initial payment of a couple of thousand depending on the make of car. It’s still being used fraudulently and PP should report.

Thanks

MamaDollyorJesus · 26/03/2023 08:40

@nokidshere

Most of your post is a load of bollocks.

My mums motability car has a tracker fitted because I'm the only named driver & the car is kept at my house - all above board & permitted by motability. They do check the tracker periodically to ensure it's noted as being at my mums address enough & if she's going to be staying with me for any length of time I need to inform them so that they are aware when they check the tracker.

You can now have 3 drivers on the motability insurance - my dad has 3 on his. Him, my sister & my brother in law. One day he had an accident when we were out & he had to add me to allow me to drive him home so he removed my BIL for 24 hours to allow me to be added.

The age of the driver depends on the car - some (like my mums) don't allow under 25's at all not even the claimant but that's because it's a big car with a big engine if it was a small car with a 1.2 engine under 25's could drive it.

Thanks

PoopInYourBin · 26/03/2023 08:40

SchoolTripDrama · 26/03/2023 02:12

@Babyroobs 🤦🏼‍♀️ The only way you can get a Motability car is by being awarded either PIP (Enhanced Mobility Rate) or DLA (High Mobility Rate) or War Widow's Pension

I think you mean War Pensioners Mobility Supplement you wouldn’t get a vehicle just because you’re widowed.

My father has a mobility vehicle because he was medically discharged from the military and receives an army disablement pension.

Thanks

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.