text: When you lease a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) with the Motability Scheme, you’re supported throughout your five-year lease. Disability writer, Shona Louise, shares how to get the most out of your WAV lease package to keep your vehicle in excellent working order and to maintain peace of mind during your lease.
  Your worry-free lease package will take the stress out of maintaining your vehicle. Your dealer will let you know when your services are due. The full lease package also includes your insurance for up to three drivers and your MOTs.
  - Your WAV yearly check
  - Services and routine repairs
  - WAV adaptation services
  - RAC Motability Assist
  Your dealer will organise a yearly check for your WAV to keep everything in good running order. This is separate from your MOT and other services, and it can be done at home. The conversion elements of your vehicle are checked, including:
  - Wheelchair tie-downs
  Your dealer will contact you when this check is due, so you do not need to remember this yourself. Any repairs that are needed throughout your lease are included and can be done at home if needed.
  “When you have your WAV yearly check, your dealer will work to your schedule. I’ve always found them to be flexible and happy to fit around my working hours.”
  During your lease, you’ll have regular services and routine repairs to help your WAV run smoothly. Your lease covers the cost of these services and any repairs for general wear and tear. This includes checks on:
  - Engine oil
  - Cooling system
  - Windscreen washer fluid
  - Tyre tread and pressure
  These services take place at set times during your lease or when you’ve reached a certain number of miles.
  “My first service happened a year after I got my WAV. I had only passed my driving test three months earlier and my mum had been driving my vehicle until that point. This meant I was not as confident a driver as I am now. I was unsure about driving such an unfamiliar journey. My dealer organised for my car to be picked up and dropped back to me. This eased all my stress and worries.
  “I received clear and regular updates and was also emailed a detailed report after my service. It was easy to understand and told me things to look out for, for example tyres that might need replacing soon. As a new driver, I appreciated that it explained everything in terms I could understand.”
  Your worry-free lease package with the Scheme also includes the cost of regular MOTs. These make sure your WAV meets road safety and environmental standards.
  Your first MOT will happen three years after getting your WAV. After that, you’ll have an MOT every 12 months. Your dealer will get in touch with you to book it in. You can also check your MOT status on your Motability Scheme online account. You can use your account to manage your lease flexibility, check your insurance policy and add or change drivers.
  “It was simple to organise my first MOT. I received a text two months before my MOT was due, giving me lots of time to book it in. I contacted the Motability Scheme and they let me know where I could have it done. My nearest location was just ten minutes away, and the MOT itself only took one hour. The entire process was quick and straightforward.”
  You may have adaptations fitted in your WAV, such as an automatic lockdown system for your wheelchair. The installer will service those elements. Some services can take place at your home, but you may have to travel to your installer for others.
  “I have an automatic tailgate and an internal transfer system. Both are serviced yearly by separate installers. For one of these services, they came out to my home at a time that suited me but my internal transfer system and automatic wheelchair lockdown needed to be serviced at the installer’s location. This gave me peace of mind that my WAV was being well looked after though.
  “I also get advice and organise repairs outside of regular services. My powered wheelchair has a pin underneath it so I can independently lock it down in my WAV. Sometimes I can be rough on my wheelchair, and it came loose at one point. I contacted the installer and they saw me that same week to tighten it up.”
  One of the most reassuring parts of a WAV lease is having access to RAC Motability Assist. The RAC team know that, as a wheelchair user, you may not be able to get out of your car and move to a safer location. This means they’ll aim to send someone to help you as the highest priority.
  Motability RAC Assist can also organise onward travel for up to eight people. It can give you a replacement vehicle and take your vehicle to the nearest location for repair.
  Remember to download the myRAC app for the quickest and easiest way to report any breakdowns.
  “As a new driver and wheelchair user, I was worried about what would happen if my car broke down. The first time I experienced a breakdown was on the motorway and I was alone. It was a scary experience, but RAC Motability Assist reassured and supported me so well. My WAV is fitted with an emergency button, so I do not need to worry about using my phone. I was connected to someone straight away, and they were happy to talk to me for as long as I needed.
  “Thankfully, the issue with my car was fixed at the roadside, and I was back on the road within one hour of calling. What could have been a stressful experience was made so much easier thanks to the support of the Motability Scheme.”