Overview
A car subscription offers a rolling monthly arrangement with road tax, maintenance and breakdown cover included. Some providers also bundle insurance, while others allow you to use your own policy. Traditional options such as leasing or rental suit fixed terms, but subscriptions shine when you need flexibility and minimal paperwork. You can start quickly with services like Flexed or Sixt+, then switch, pause or upgrade as your needs change.
Costs & Inclusions
- Check whether fully comprehensive insurance is included and what the excess is.
- Compare mileage allowances and per mile charges for going over the cap.
- Look for notice periods (30 days is common) and any setup or delivery fees.
- Confirm servicing intervals and breakdown assistance.
- If you’re trying EVs, budget for home or workplace charging and public network costs.
Monthly pricing varies by vehicle class and term. For context, flexible plans from Nissan Subscriptions or Conduire often undercut a 30-day hire once you add insurance and extra drivers. Use our deals and brand pages (Land Rover, Byd) to find current offers. For tax considerations, see DVLA.
Who It Suits
Subscriptions work well for freelancers, contractors and interns who need predictable monthly costs without long commitments. They’re also useful as a stop-gap while you wait for a factory order or when a company car policy is being reviewed. If you’re EV-curious, a subscription lets you trial real-world charging and range before committing long-term. If you only need a vehicle for under three weeks, a traditional rental may still be cheaper. For anything longer, subscriptions often win on total cost of use.
FAQs
Do subscriptions include insurance?
Some, such as Flexed or Pivotal, bundle insurance, while others like Cocoon Vehicles let you use your own policy. Always check the excess and permitted drivers.
How do I handle charging on an EV subscription?
Plan for home or workplace charging and a roaming card for public networks. Our Electric Car Subscription pages list popular EVs on subscription.
What documents will I need?
Expect a driving licence, proof of address, affordability checks and, for businesses, company details and director ID.
Pro Tip: Compare the all-in monthly figure, not just the headline. Include insurance, excess, delivery/collection and excess mileage charges in your calculation.
