Subaru UK gets back into Motability car sales after decade break

Subaru UK has recommenced sales into the Motability market after a break of almost a decade as its volume of new car imports increases.

From this month the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback, both with permanent all-wheel drive, are now available on the Motability Scheme with an advance payment of £3,749.

In the coming months the Subaru Crosstrek (pictured below), which was launched earlier this year, will also join the Motability programme, with prices yet to be confirmed.

Subaru UK's national sales manager Alex Sheward said “We are delighted to be back on board and part of the Motability Scheme. Not only does this offer customers on the scheme more vehicle choices, especially for those prioritising All-Wheel Drive, but this also provides our Subaru dealers with incremental sales and aftersales opportunities with this additional consumer channel.”

The Motability Scheme, which is a car lease programme for recipients of certain disability benefits, is a lower margin sales channel than true retail for many car manufacturers, however it delivers guaranteed aftersales for the franchised dealer network and a useful source of post-lease used cars. 

A spokesman for Subaru explained that the brand was last involved in Motability offers about a decade ago, and its withdrawal from it then was due to a combination of vehicle availability, the focus of the previous management team, pricing and scheme criteria.

James Douglas, manufacturer and network partnership director at Motability Operations, said: “We know the Motability Scheme is life-changing for our 760,000 customers across the UK. That’s why we are so committed to delivering the best value and choice of vehicles for them.” 

“We are pleased to once again be working with Subaru UK, so we can increase the range of vehicles available on the scheme and suit all our customers’ needs.”

In 2023 Subaru UK recorded a 73% increase in new vehicle sales over 2022, finishing the year at 2,409 units. Some 16% of its sales were battery electric vehicles, after it launched its first all-electric zero-tailpipe emission vehicle, the Solterra (pictured below).

Order books opened in January for the the new Crosstrek model, which replaced the outgoing Subaru XV.

For 2024 Subaru has a new partnership with English Heritage and the charity’s Legendary Summer events, which will be held at significant historical sites nationwide between June and September 2024.

The Legendary series of summer events includes ‘Legendary Jousts’ and ‘Knights’ Tournaments’ in historical venues such as Kenilworth Castle and Eltham Palace, and during the events, visitors will have the chance to explore a range of Subaru all-wheel-drive SUVs and book a test drive with a local dealership.

Lyndsey Flood, Subaru's head of marketing, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting English Heritage’s Legendary Events series this year. We instantly felt that our Subaru brand values aligned with those of the English Heritage organisation and its patrons.

"This partnership is the perfect way for us to authentically increase brand awareness and introduce our newest models to the families attending the Legendary Jousts. We’re also honoured knowing that our contribution to English Heritage will help maintain some of England's most important historical sites.”