"We should all have a choice," said Farah Black, a wheelchair user in Northern Ireland who saved for an adapted BMW after losing her leg. From today that choice narrows. Motability has removed premium marques such as BMW and Mercedes from its leasing scheme with immediate effect, a change that will be felt across rural and small‑town communities in the North.

Motability says it is refocusing the price list on models that are safe, reliable and affordable to run. Cars from Audi, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes have gone, and coupes and convertibles from other brands have been taken off too. The updated list is already live.

Demand for the scheme has climbed to around 860,000 users, with premium cars accounting for about 50,000 of the fleet, usually covered by an extra advance from the customer. A former DWP official argues Motability should consider nearly‑new stock, saying, "A brand new car is a luxury purchase" - a view that will sound familiar to finance leads across the region.

At the same time the operator has set industrial goals: 25% of cars on the scheme to be UK‑built by 2030, rising to 50% by 2035, up from roughly 7% now. Motability says this will back British manufacturing while keeping running costs sensible for disabled drivers.

For the North East, that could mean more work through Nissan’s Sunderland plant. Motability intends to double the number of British‑built Nissans it leases to around 40,000 a year, provided manufacturers can supply at the right price and spec.

The scheme’s accessibility offer matters just as much. There are already 36,500 wheelchair accessible vehicles on Motability, built by UK‑based converters, alongside thousands of cars fitted with adaptations. The company calls the scheme "a lifeline to freedom and independence" for those who rely on a vehicle every day.

That promise meets difficult local realities. A Commons committee report, drawing on Transport for the North figures, says bus mileage in our region is down 33% since 2010, with post‑2019 cuts biting hard. For many households here, a car is how you reach work, college, the GP and the shops.

Critics also point out that premium models were a small share - roughly 5% - and customers typically topped up the difference themselves rather than the taxpayer. Ministers, though, have signalled they want tighter value for money from welfare‑linked schemes.

What happens if you already chose a premium brand? Orders placed before 25 November will still be delivered and existing leases continue, but new applications for Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes or Alfa Romeo are closed and the price guide has been updated. The changes take effect immediately.

All eyes now turn to Wednesday’s Budget on 26 November. The Treasury is expected to trim some Motability tax reliefs - including insurance premium tax and VAT on certain advance payments - while stopping short of ending VAT exemptions on former scheme cars. Northern disability groups and councils will be watching the numbers closely.