Flexible, all-inclusive cars from 1 month to 3 years. With no long-term commitment and a fantastic choice of cars from multiple specialist providers in the UK. Car Subscriptions are in between a car rental and a car lease.
What is a Car Subscription?
Often over looked or mis-undersood, a car subscription is a little bit like a long-term car rental, but cheaper. You can usually run these from 1-month with many providers letting you keep the same car for up to 3 years. Need to upgrade or downgrade, not an issue, so long as you have met the minimum term you have agreed to.
Be careful with those that offer a subscription but then tie you in for 2 years, they often come with early termination charges, despite it being dress up as a “Vehicle Subscription” – Providers listed on this page below all offer flexible subscriptions and leases that should work around you.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the monthly rate, many offer 28 day rates which can look cheaper. In this case over a 12 month period you would have to make 13 payments, where as those car subscription providers that offer ‘monthly’ rates you will only make 12 payments. Again, the providers on this page offer monthly figures.
Why Car Subscriptions work for Expats
Quick Setup
Get on the road faster than traditional car leasing
Flexible Terms
Swap or return the car with short notice
All-Inclusive
Maintenance, Breakdown Cover and Road Tax Included
No Long-Term Commitment
Perfect if your plans change or are uncertain
Pro's and Con's of a Vehicle Subscription
Positives
- Very Flexible
- Easy Approval Process
- No Long-Term Commitment
- Ideal without UK Credit History
Negatives
- Higher Monthly Costs
- Limited Vehicle Choice
- Not ideal for long-term savings
- Insurance may be extra
Is it right for you?
Car Subscriptions are suited if:
- You've just arrived in the UK
- You don't have UK credit history yet
- You want flexibility while settling in
- You don't want to commit to a long-term lease
Expat Car Subscription Providers
Please see below a selection of hand picked providers who specialise in Expat Car Subscriptions in the UK:
- Cocoon Vehicles Limited
- Cocoon Vehicles Limited Cocoon Vehicles is a family-owned business who turned a relation’s issue into a business that helps and supports expats coming to the UK, by providing flexible car subscriptions on a wide range of premium vehicles. Excellent customer service and able to offer honest and upfront advice from the moment you contact them.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online or Paper-based
Fees and Charges
Expat Documentation Fee for Subscriptions start at £495.00+VAT (£594.00 inc VAT)
Insurance
You musrt provide fully comprehensive insurance, help is provided
Delivery/Collection
Delivery in England, Wales and Scotland* (Scotland Chargeable)
- Flexigo Cars
- Flexigo Cars Flexigo offer vehicle subscriptions that you can easily upgrade, downgrade or send back with ease. Offering a great range of premium and standard cars with their best prices being from 90 days plus. Keep the same car until it reaches 3 years old. Fantastic customer service.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online Application
Fees and Charges
Documentation Fee for Expat Car Subscriptions starts at £594.00 inc. VAT
Insurance
Customers Own Insurance (COI)
Delivery/Collection
Delivery is available to England and Wales, Scotland available at a charge.
- Car Leasing for Expats
- Car Leasing for Expats Car Leases for Expats offers a flexible car subscription service which they header car rental, these have all the benefits of a subscription but available to Expats and returning UK citizens to the UK. Offering competitive pricing and an easy application process, to get you in a car super quick.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online Application
Fees and Charges
Administration Charge for setting up the vehicle, differs per car.
Insurance
You need to provide fully comprehensive insurance
Delivery/Collection
UK Delivery available, optional airport meet and greet
Drive Car Flex
Drive Car Flex’s vehicles are based in Leeds, Yorkshire which makes it the ideal vehicle subscription provider if you’re settling in Northern England. Offering a wide range of new and pre-registered cars on a flexible car lease/subscription service, backed by excellent customer service.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Apply online as a business or personal customer
Fees and Charges
Doc Fees apply to Expat Customers, this varies from vehicle-to-vehicle
Insurance
You must provide fully comprehensive insurance for the vehicle.
Delivery/Collection
Delivery available for free in England and Wales when committing to a minimum term of at least 3 months
STCL
STCL has been offering car subscriptions to Expat customer since 2007, offering a flexible way to run a car with easy upgrade or downgrade processes. Business and Personal customers are welcome to use their car subscription service by applying online with a link from the website.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online or via a Paper Application
Fees and Charges
Documentation/Admin Fee is applicable for each vehicle, this varies. Usual Expat fee is from £594.00 inc VAT
Insurance
Customers Own Insurance (COI)
Delivery/Collection
Delivery available in England, Scotland and Wales.
Conduire UK - VIP Expat Car Subscriptions
Conduire UK offers flexible car subscriptions to VIP customers which include high net worth clients, footballers, sports people, actors, CEO’s and more. Their range of Premium and Luxury cars including marques such as Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Rolls-Royce, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online or via Print
Fees and Charges
Price on Application
Insurance
Customer must provide their own insurance
Delivery/Collection
Delivery available in the UK
Expatride
Expatride are specialists in providing vehicle solutions to people moving to the UK for work or pleasure. Offering direct billing in multiple currencies. No need for UK credit history and offering both new and used vehicles on a flexible basis.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Varies
Fees and Charges
Varies
Insurance
Varies
Delivery/Collection
Delivery available in the UK
Sixt+
Sixt+ offers a premium monthly car subscription service in the UK to Expats and returning UK residents. Fantastic choice of vehicles and multiple collection locations including most major UK airports such as London Heathrow and Manchester. Book online or via a dedicated app.
Key Facts:
Additional Information
Application Options
Online or via the Sixt App
Fees and Charges
Signup Fee of £249.00, Options available for lower insurance excess, tyre and windscreen and personal accident protection.
Insurance
Insurance is included with Sixt+ vehicles
Delivery/Collection
Collection from Sixt sites across the UK
Things to be aware of...
While car subscriptions are flexible, here are a few things to be aware of:
- Monthly costs can be higher than leasing
- Watch out for companies who promote 28 days prices
- Mileage Limits may apply
- Take note of any minimum terms you need to adhere to
- There may be a collection charge when you want to end the vehicle
- Availability can vary depending on demand
- Lots of rogue companies on social networks
- Use Companies House to see how long a company has been trading
Subscription vs. Leasing vs. Rental
Option | Flexibility | Cost | Ease for Expats |
|---|---|---|---|
Subscription | High | Medium–High | Very Easy |
Leasing | Low | Low | Harder |
Rental | Very High | High | Easy |
Find a Car Subscription Today
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a car subscription?
Depending on the vehicle subscription provider that you use, will depend on what is included. Generally the following is included in a car subscription:
- Rental
- Maintenance & Servicing
- Breakdown Assistance
- Road Tax
- Manufacturers Warranty
The following items may be optional or extra:
- Insurance Cover
- Accidental Damage Cover
- Personal Accident Protection
- Insurance Excess Protection
- Damage outside of Wear and Tear
- Administration Charges for parking tickets, etc
Do I need UK Credit history to get a car subscription?
By using specialist leasing and subscription providers who specialise in Expats, it is not always neccessary to require UK credit history. Many of the companies such as Cocoon Vehicles and Flexigo can carry credit checks in your home country.
Can I cancel a Car Subscription at anytime?
This depends on the vehicle subscription provider that you have signed up with. Each company has its own terms and conditions. For example. Cocoon Vehicles allows you to take the vehicle for a minimum term of 90 days and they require 5 working days to arrange the return of your vehicle. They also only charge for the time in the vehicle.
Providers from Expatride require you to give at least 1 months notice and many require a long-term commitment. Also you are billed for a month, if you return within that month, no refund is given.
Information correct as of date of publishing.
Is car subscriptions cheaper than leasing?
Generally car subscriptions can work out more than traditional leasing, but the initial outlay can be lower on a car subscription vs. a car lease.
Another benefit which is often overlooked with a car subscription is the flexibility it offers.
Can I swap cars?
Some providers alow you to change your vehicle during your subscription.