The way I read it – if a partner of a disabled person wants to pop out to meet friends in the pub they can definitely do it. Something which is not allowed under Motability.
@kdwolf This crops up regularly on this forum, and the Motability rules are not as strict as they are often interpreted. They are in fact the same as the HMRC rules. A partner of a disabled person is allowed to use the Motability car for use which is not always for the direct benefit of the disabled person.
I know this, because when we retired I called Motability to explain that we now only needed one car, and as there would be frequent occasions when I would go out for the day without my wife (to visit friends etc) I asked if that was permissible, and they assured me that it was. They said that the rules are worded to deter abuse, such as a nephew who lives miles away using the Motability car as their own, whilst visiting their aunt once a month! When a couple live together and only need one car between them, they fully understand and accept that the partner will have cause to use the car independently, for no direct benefit to the disabled person, and this is absolutely fine.
HMRC rules are the same. We are leaving the scheme and buying a car privately VAT free (as my wife qualifies). I asked HMRC exactly the same question and they also confirmed (and gave me this in writing as well) that “as long as the car is available for the use of the disabled person whenever needed”, personal use by me for other purposes is permitted.
