In this guide, we compare the best companies for long-term car hire and subscriptions in the East Midlands, including Cocoon Vehicles, Drive Car Flex, Sixt+, Flexigo, Flexed, and Just Vehicle Solutions.
Step 1: Why Choose Subscriptions Over Daily Rental
Traditional daily rental companies are designed for short-term use — ideal for a few days or a week, but not cost-effective beyond that. In contrast, car subscriptions and flexible leases:
- Offer fixed monthly pricing with no surprise costs.
- Allow you to keep the same vehicle for months (sometimes up to 3 years).
- Often let you use your own insurance, reducing costs.
- Include maintenance, servicing, and breakdown cover.
- Provide better vehicle choice — from hatchbacks to luxury SUVs.
For anyone staying in the region long-term — whether on a work contract, relocation, or business expansion — subscriptions are simply more practical.
Step 2: Top East Midlands Providers
1️⃣ Cocoon Vehicles — Local Experts Based in Belper, Derbyshire
Cocoon Vehicles is one of the most established providers in the UK and is based in Belper, Derbyshire — right in the heart of the East Midlands.
- Deliver vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire.
- Maintain a large physical fleet of 300+ cars, available for 1–12 months or longer.
- Offer both flexible car subscriptions and short-term leases.
- Allow you to use your own fully comprehensive insurance, which is often more cost-effective.
Perfect for local businesses, returning expats, or residents needing a long-term vehicle without leasing commitments.
👉 Learn more on our Cocoon Vehicles page.
2️⃣ Drive Car Flex — Leeds-Based, Covering the East Midlands
Drive Car Flex is based in Leeds, but their coverage area easily includes the East Midlands region.
- Large stock of premium and executive vehicles.
- Nationwide delivery, often within days.
- Cars available on flexible terms from 1 to 12 months.
- Offers excellent long-term flexibility for contractors, professionals, and growing SMEs.
Drive Car Flex’s ability to supply vehicles quickly makes it a strong option for East Midlands businesses.
3️⃣ Sixt+ — Nottingham Train Station Pickup
Sixt+ stands out with its Nottingham Train Station location, making collection and return convenient for East Midlands customers.
- Perfect for those arriving in the region by train or relocating for work.
- Fully inclusive subscription — insurance, maintenance, and tax are covered.
- Ideal for expats or overseas workers staying for several months.
With Sixt+, you can collect directly in Nottingham or arrange for delivery nearby.
4️⃣ Flexigo — Derby-Based with East Midlands Airport Coverage
Flexigo operates from Derby, giving it a strong local footprint for East Midlands customers.
- Covers Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and surrounding areas.
- Access to premium cars like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, and Volvo.
- Offers flexible subscriptions and business leasing.
- Convenient for customers arriving via East Midlands Airport.
A perfect provider for business users needing short-term premium vehicles with local support.
5️⃣ Flexed — Based in York, Servicing the East Midlands
While Flexed is based in York, their delivery network covers the East Midlands efficiently (typically within a few days).
- Strong range of mainstream models including Vauxhall, Nissan, and Peugeot.
- Great for drivers seeking affordability and reliability.
- Offers both inclusive and own-insurance options.
- Ideal for companies managing staff vehicles or short-term projects in the region.
👉 Learn more on our Flexed provider page.
6️⃣ Just Vehicle Solutions — Newark-Based for Local Support
Just Vehicle Solutions, based in Newark, provides excellent coverage across the East Midlands.
- Offers short-term lease and flexible hire options.
- Focused on supporting local businesses and repeat customers.
- Provides fast turnaround times for new customers.
- Ideal for those needing simple, straightforward access to vehicles without commitment.
This makes Just Vehicle Solutions a strong regional alternative to traditional rental.
Step 3: Comparison — Long-Term Hire Options in the East Midlands
| Provider | Location | Service Type | Local Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoon Vehicles | Belper, Derbyshire | Subscription / Short-term lease | Full East Midlands & UK | Businesses, expats, long-term users |
| Drive Car Flex | Leeds | Subscription | Nationwide, East Midlands delivery | Business users, contractors |
| Sixt+ | Nottingham Train Station | Subscription | Nottingham / nearby | New arrivals, travellers |
| Flexigo | Derby | Subscription / Lease | East Midlands + Airport and the UK | Premium business users |
| Flexed | York | Short-term lease | Delivers across region | Mainstream affordability |
| Just Vehicle Solutions | Newark | Short-term lease | East Midlands (Newark/Nottinghamshire) | Local companies, SMEs |
Step 4: Why Flexible Leasing Beats Daily Rental
Instead of paying premium daily rates with Avis, Hertz, or Europcar, flexible leasing or subscription gives you:
- Lower monthly cost per day for long-term use.
- More vehicle options (you choose make/model).
- No constant renewals — one agreement can last months.
- Delivery to your home or business address.
- The ability to use your own insurance for extra savings.
For example, a 3-month flexible lease with Cocoon or Flexigo can work out to less than half the price of a daily rental alternative.
Step 5: External Reference
For an independent overview of car subscription and flexible leasing options across the UK, see AutoTrader: The Best Car Subscription Services — featuring several of the providers above.
