Most people buying a mobility scooter do not have to pay VAT on it. That is a saving of a fifth of the price — often several hundred pounds — and a surprising number of people pay it anyway simply because nobody told them.
Who qualifies
You can buy without VAT if both of these are true:
- You have a long-term illness or are disabled, and
- The scooter is for your own personal or domestic use
"Long-term" is the important word. HMRC means a chronic condition — something you live with rather than something you are getting over. Arthritis, heart and lung conditions, MS, Parkinson's, the after-effects of a stroke, and many others all count. A broken leg that will heal does not.
You do not need to be receiving any particular benefit. You do not need to be registered disabled. Being elderly on its own does not qualify you — but a condition that comes with age very often does.
What you do not need
This is the part that puts people off, unnecessarily:
- No doctor's letter
- No proof of benefits
- No form to post
- No approval to wait for
It works on a self-declaration. You state that you qualify, and that is what HMRC asks for. We keep the declaration on file — that is our obligation, not yours.
How you claim it with us
You do not have to do anything special or ring anyone. Prices on our site are shown both ways, so you can see what you would pay with relief and without.
At the checkout you answer three short questions — whether you have a long-term illness or disability, what the condition is, and that the item is for your own personal use. It takes about fifteen seconds. The VAT then comes off the order.
If you are not eligible, answer honestly and VAT is added. There is no penalty for saying no, and no advantage in guessing.
What if someone is buying it for me?
That is fine. A relative or friend can buy the scooter on your behalf and claim the relief, as long as it is for you and for your personal use. The declaration is about who will be using it, not whose card pays.
Is it a discount?
No, and the difference matters. It is zero-rating — the VAT is never charged in the first place. It is not money we are giving away, so it does not come off any promotional price, and it cannot be "added later". If you realise afterwards that you should have claimed it, ring us rather than assuming it is lost.
What else is covered
Relief is not only for scooters. Powerchairs, wheelchairs, riser recliner chairs and many everyday aids can qualify too, on the same terms. Not everything does — general household items do not become VAT-free just because a disabled person is buying them.
If you are unsure, ask
We would much rather you rang and asked than quietly paid VAT you did not owe. Call free on 0800 593 0400.
We are not tax advisers and the rules can change. HMRC's own guidance on VAT relief for disabled people is the definitive source, and it is worth a look if your situation is unusual. Our VAT exemption page sets out the criteria we apply.