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With the internet helping to make subscription models more popular over the last decade and a half, it makes sense that the motor industry has adopted this service method to help customers get their hands on new vehicles.
Currently, there are multiple car subscription providers in the UK to help you get your hands on your next pair of wheels, yet with that amount of choice, it can be hard to know which providers offer the best service.
No matter if you’re looking to get a subscription of a specific model or engine type, or are flexible, here’s a look at some of the best car subscription providers that you should consider.
If you’re looking for a new or used car and want to consider other car buying methods, you can find out more information on Car Adviser.
| Provider | Customer rating | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Onto | 4.7/5.0 | on.to |
| Mycardirect | 4.7/5.0 | mycardirect.com |
| Wagonex | 4.4/5.0 | wagonex.com |
| Flexed | 4.8/5.0 | flexed.co.uk |
| Flexigo | 4.5/5.0 | flexigocars.uk |
| Elmo | 4.7/5.0 | elmodrive.com |
| Cocoon | 4.7/5.0 | cocoonvehicles.co.uk |
| Hyundai Mocean | 1.0/5.0 | mocean.com |
| Genesis Flexibility | 2.8/5.0 | genesis.com |
| Pivotal | 4.1/5.0 | drivepivotal.com |
| Volvo | 3.5/5.0 | volvocars.com |
| Loopit | 4.0/5.0 | loopit.co |
Car subscriptions are a relatively new way of buying and owning a vehicle and are something that is only recently growing in popularity. Instead of purchasing a vehicle outright or needing to be accepted for a finance scheme to fund a car, a car subscription service is an alternative option that allows you to pay comparably small monthly fees for your car.
It operates similarly to Netflix and other subscription services – you get a continuous service with no restrictions and pay each month. Unlike getting a lease or another finance deal, you’re not tied to a single car for a long-term contract. Instead, with a car subscription service, there’s the opportunity to get a new car every year and even every six months, allowing you to stay current and up-to-date with the best vehicles.
A car subscription service will also usually get you additional benefits while you’re under your subscription. You can expect things such as roadside assistance and maintenance. This allows a car subscription to be a more complete solution to getting a new car and is an exciting development in the auto industry.
When you join a scheme from one of the many car subscription providers reviewed by Car Adviser, it’s essential to understand that you do not get ownership of the car. Instead, you’ll just become a named driver. However, you won’t be able to sell the car or anything like that and will have to return the vehicle once you’ve cancelled your subscription.
For many people, being able to drive new, modern cars is an excellent trade-off for not being able to own them. However, if you’d rather have the security of owning your car, this model may not be your best option.
One of the best ways of getting a car subscription is by using the official service offered by a manufacturer. When you choose this option, you’ll get access to the latest vehicles from your favourite car makers. This can be a more secure way of subscribing to a car, and you’ll also likely get additional services and aftercare.
Below we listed some of Car Adviser’s best manufacturer car subscriptions in the UK that you should consider.
Although you can go and subscribe to cars directly from specific brands, plenty of top manufacturers still don’t yet offer this service. Despite that, you can still get access to these vehicles by using a different kind of subscription provider that offers multiple cars from different manufacturers in their catalogues.
These options can also be potentially cheaper than going directly to the manufacturer. However, you may not get some extra perks and aftercare that you can expect when you go directly with a brand.
We had a look at some of Car Adviser’s best car subscription providers that don’t focus on providing a car from certain manufacturers and are likely found online.
There are many great benefits to subscribing to cars, which is why it’s becoming a trendy option within the UK. The specific benefits will differ between providers, as some will offer more perks than others. With that said, there are still many positives that you can expect from the best car subscription service.
One benefit many drivers are capitalising on is that a subscription model is far more flexible. You don’t need to commit to a long-term contract that spans years, and you can instead cancel your contract after a few months.
Some car subscription providers will require a notice period, typically three months. Still, then after that, you’ll be able to leave without having to pay any cancellation fees or without owing any money.
Not having to be tied into a contract gives excellent freedom to drivers, as it allows them to continue searching for the best deal for them and also suits those who only need a car for a short period. Plus, because of their flexibility, you can easily upgrade your vehicle and get a new model as part of your current subscription, which is excellent for those who want to experience the cutting-edge in motoring.
Another massive benefit of car subscriptions is that the cars you get are typically new and will be no older than three years old. This allows you to try the best models and is a massive draw for most car enthusiasts.
Car subscription services aren’t completely flawless, and even the best car subscription providers will have drawbacks that you’ll have to consider to ensure that it’s the best option for you.
The biggest negative you’ll have to deal with when getting a car subscription is that it’s a pretty expensive way of getting your hands on a car. Although the monthly fees are smaller and could be more affordable, especially if you don’t have a large lump sum available to buy the car outright, over a year, you could end up paying more than you would with other finance methods.
The reason why car subscriptions are more expensive is that as well as the car, you’re also paying for other services, such as roadside assistance and road tax and insurance, which many car subscription providers will handle on your behalf. This makes getting a car more convenient, but you will pay more for the pleasure.
Other extra costs may make it even more expensive, such as service fees, delivery fees, maintenance fees, and others, depending on your circumstances. All in all, you can easily pay around £150-£200 more monthly on your car subscription than you would if you leased it. That said, it’s still cheaper than hiring a car from a rental company.
Another negative against car subscriptions is they do come with limitations on the car’s usage. For example, most will have a mileage cap, meaning you can’t exceed a certain amount of miles during your subscription. If you do, you’ll likely have to pay extra. This can affect how you plan to use your vehicle, as it may mean that you’ll be unable to make many long-distance trips with it.
You could also be restricted on who can use the car, although this depends on the provider, as some will offer free secondary drivers to be added to the service, although this isn’t the case for all of them.
Another slight issue with car subscriptions is that most will require you to have a good credit rating to get one. This means that if you currently have a poor credit score, you may struggle to be accepted, especially if you’re looking at luxury car subscription providers.
Having a better understanding of the pros and cons of car subscriptions can help you decide if it’s an option that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Now that you have a more comprehensive understanding of car subscriptions, here’s a look at some of the top brands you can get subscriptions from, ranging from individual manufacturers to digital companies offering multiple brands.
Onto is a car subscription provider that focuses on providing electric cars only. If you want to experience electric vehicles, Onto can be a good option as they’re all-inclusive and offer a wide array of cars for a reasonable price.
There’s no deposit with Onto, and for your monthly payment, you get insurance, breakdown cover, servicing, road tax, and 750 miles a month which can be increased. Unlike other electric-only car subscriptions, you also get charging included with no extra fee.
To browse cars on Onto, you’ll have to register by uploading your license and a selfie. You’ll also have to pay to have the car delivered to you, which is unusual for many other car subscription services.
Despite that, Onto is unique as, unlike other subscription services, it can be cheaper than leasing a car, making it an excellent option for those wanting to save money. You can also swap your car monthly, allowing you to drive multiple cars.
Onto have multiple great reviews, with people praising how the service has been simple and easy from start to finish. The customer service has been said to go the extra mile and that the service is excellent value for money.
There are some complaints, however, with some people saying that there are many additional charges that you may have to pay and that it can take time for issues to be resolved and repairs to be made.
Pros
Cons
Mycardirect gives you access to new cars or vans via a subscription method, with the vehicle delivered directly to your door. There are no long-term contracts or hidden charges when you use Mycardirect. You just pay monthly and receive an all-inclusive service.
Mycardirect includes MOT, maintenance, and road tax in its service, meaning that there’s less admin that you have to worry about. With that said, you don’t get insurance, and you don’t get any cover for accidental damages.
When you get a car subscription to Mycardirect, you’ll have to pay an initial £250 joining fee. You’ll also have to pay a deposit of another £250-£500. This isn’t standard among other car subscription providers, making the service a bit more expensive than others. It means that initially, Mycardirect can be pretty expensive.
However, once you’ve paid, you’re a member for life, and the subscription costs of their vehicles are low. Plus, the ability to subscribe for a van makes Mycardirect stand out among other options.
Many people praise this option, as many tradespeople values the ability to get a van on a flexible agreement. People also praise how flexible to options are, as you can get contracts that last months or contracts that span over a year.
With that said, some people have complained about the initial costs of this subscription service, and because of that, it may not be the best car subscription service, although it is still a good option.
Pros
Cons
If you’re a fan of Volvo, their subscription service is a good option to help you get their latest models. With Care by Volvo, you’ll be able to get their latest models for a fixed monthly cost and be able to cancel your subscription easily with just a three-month notice period.
Volvo is a good option, especially for those on a budget, because there’s no deposit or joining fee. Instead, you pay your monthly subscription with no hidden costs. Their service is all-inclusive, meaning you’ll get services, maintenance, cover for wear and tear, vehicle tax, and so much more.
With Care by Volvo, you can have a flexible plan, or you can get a fixed 36-month contract where you can pay lower monthly prices.
You can get multiple types of cars, including fully electric or hybrid vehicles, with costs ranging from £600 a month to £1200, depending on the car you choose.
Past customers praise the service options, as you can access a wide array of vehicles and build a contract that suits you. Many also talk about the benefit of having no additional costs, which helps to keep the overall costs down.
Some complaints have been made against their customer services, with some claiming that they’ve been tough to deal with and that when returning a car, they can be very stern in looking for damages. This could have you paying more if they find any perceived issues with it.
