Long-Term Car Rental Explained

October 18, 2023

Long-Term Car Rental is a phrase used in the motor trade to describe a car rental of 1-month or more, they can be known as flexible car contracts, flexible car leases and of course, the latest buzzword; car subscriptions.

Long-term car rentals is a cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses needing reliable transport for extended periods but with flexibility. It offers a convenient alternative to using a traditional daily rental company that you would find at many UK airports. It provides you with carefully selected vehicles for an extended duration.

We’ll explore the benefits in this guide with a focus on the services offered by Cocoon Vehicles and how it can save time and money whilst ensuring you get the exact make and model you order from day one.

What is Long-Term Car Rental?

Long-term car rental, as offered by Cocoon Vehicles, allows you to rent a vehicle for an extended period, typically ranging from one month to several years. It bridges the gap between traditional daily rentals and full-fledged car ownership or leasing. Unlike daily rentals, which often come with variable pricing and vehicle availability, long-term rentals offer stability, cost savings, and the assurance of having a specific make and model for the entire rental period.

Cocoon Vehicles: Your Trusted Partner

Since 2007, Cocoon Vehicles has been providing long-term car rental services, providing a wide range of premium vehicles from superminis to luxury SUV‘s, commercial vehicles to campervans. We are different from traditional car rental companies in several ways:

Vehicle Selection

We pride ourselves on offering you the exact make and model of the vehicle from our website, with you being safe in the knowledge that the vehicle you order, will be the vehicle you will receive. We confirm the vehicle, trim level and even the colour to you at the point of order and this will be the vehicle that will be delivered. This eliminates the uncertainty and potencial disappointment associated with traditional daily rental firms, where you might receive any available car from a sepcific group, we call this car hire roulette.

Time and Money Savings

Long-term car rentals with Cocoon Vehicles are designed to save you time and money. We offer competative pricing on our monthly rentals, with additional discounts unlocked when you commit to the ‘minimum qualifying period’. Our rates are usually more economical than daily rental rates over an extended period.

Flexibility

You don’t need to customise the contract length with our long-term car rental service, take the vehicle and roll it on month-by-month. Just give us at least 5-working days notice to return the vehicle (blackout periods apply) and when the car is returned or collected, the vehicle is off-hired. You only ever pay for the time in the vehicle unlike other providers who charge the remainder of the month or period.

Maintenance and Servicing

With the majority of our long-term car rental fleet, maintenance and servicing is included, as well as manufacturers warranty. Giving you peace of mind. If the vehicle does not include maintenance, you can add this for a monthly nominal fee but depending on your requirements and mileage, you might not even need it.

For businesses, long-term car rental and corproate car hire is an efficient way to manage a fleet of vehicles without the commitments or headaches of a long-term car lease or purchase. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with fluctuating transportation needs.

Perfect Stop Gap Solution

Individuals can benefit from long-term rentals when they need a reliable vehicle on a temporary basis, this could be for a relocation, extended trip, new job or waiting for a new car to arrive.

If you’re moving to the UK to live or work, then a long-term car rental solution could be an ideal service to help you get mobile. We are extremely experienced with dealing with Expat customers whether as an individual or a company, we can work with you to get everything in place to get the car from day one in the UK or once you’ve settled in. We will also help you transition into a longer term solution, where available.

Long-Term Car Rentals vs. Car Subscriptions

Long-term car rentals and car subscriptions share some similarities and you may see on our website that the same cars are offered on both services.

The main differences is that on a car subscription, maintenance is generally included as standard. But the choice of cars may be limited due to the terms that the vehicles are sourced.

The choice of vehicles on our long-term car hire service is extensive and can included luxury vehicles such as the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX.

Things to consider with long-term car hire

Here are a few points to consider when thinking about utilising a long-term car rental service:

Whether you are a business or personal customer, fully comprehensive insurance must be provided by the hirer from day one. It is super important to ensure you have the right policy in place and that you inform your insurer that this is a lease vehicle.

On any vehicle, fully comprehensive insurance must be provided by the hirer. Fleet policies are acceptable so long as the vehicle is registered on the AskMid Insurance Database and showing as insured.

When purchasing an insurance policy for your flexible vehicle, we recommend taking a 12 month policy, as these can work out much cheaper than a Short Term Insurance provider such as TempCover.

We’ve recently partnered with QuoteZOne to provide you a great way of comparing car insurance quotes from over 110+ car insurance providers, just click on the following link to get a quote: GET CAR INSURANCE QUOTES.

Other companies that may help you in providing insurance cover include: Admiral, Bell Insurance, Swift and Tesco Insurance. Please visit their website for more information.

Quidco Cashback is a great place to look at comparing insurance quotations.

Wear, Tear and Damage

Long-term car leases do not have to adhere to the BVRLA’s Fair, Wear and Tear guides, in its place is a RETURN STANDARD policy that must be followed as it forms part of your terms and conditions.

We are proud to be members of the BVRLA and we follow the ‘Code of Conduct’ to the letter, we will also be on the other end of the phone to help you should you have had an incident or found damage on the vehicle before it needs to come back.

Mileage Allowance

All of the vehicles on our long-term car rental service includes a generous mileage allowance, but make sure that the mileage provided is sufficient for your needs.

Before taking out the vehicle try and work out your daily mileage requirements, these need to include the school runds, your daily commute, one-off trips and holidays. If you feel that you are going to go over your allocated mileage, speak to the team.

Early Termination

As this type of contract has no end date, there are no early termination charges. Plus, you only ever pay for the time in the vehicle so should you send the car back mid-payment period, we will provide a credit when we calculate your end-of-contract.

Who can apply for long-term car rental?

We accept applications from personal and business customers but the criteria may be different depending on your circumstances and status.

All applicants will be required to go through a credit check to get a credit line in place.

For business customers, the authorised signatory must provide photo ID and a utility bill, the business must also provide 2 forms of trading ID. Additional information may be requested by the underwriters.

For personal customers, photo ID and a Utility Bill will be requested as a minimum. Futher information may be requested by the underwriters at the time of appliation.

We can also assist if you are an Expat Customer or you are a new start-up business.

We can help!

We’ve helped hundreds of businesses and individuals with their long-term car rental requirements since 2007, we’ve got excellent reviews on both Google and Trustpilot with a very loyal customer base.

If you want a company that offers you honest and upfront advice from day one, then Cocoon Vehicles should be at the top of your list.

The team are on hand to help you answer any questions you may have and when you call us, you speak to a human. We don’t use chat bots to answer our emails either.

If you need any help with your long-term car rental requirements, call the team on 01332 290173 or use the ENQUIRY FORM at the bottom of this guide.

Latest Vehicles Available

Mercedes-Benz

GLC Coupe

GLC 300 4Matic AMG Line

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe available with 1500 miles per month on a Mercedes-Benz Car Subscription

Specification Includes: All Wheel Drive, Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth, DAB Digital Radio, ISOFIX, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Assist, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Touchscreen, MBUX< Hey Mercedes, Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, eCall, Fingerprint Scanner, Smartphone Integration, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Speed Limit Assist, Wireless Smartphone Charger, Sports Suspension, USB Port, AMG Bodystyling, Privacy Glass, LED Headlights, Roof Spoiler, AMG Sports Seats, Ambient Lighting, Heated Front Seats, Climate Control, Tyre Pressure Monitor, Keyless Go, Alloy Wheels

Availability: In Stock

From: £969.00 + VAT p/m

From: £1,162.80 inc. VAT p/m

Mercedes-Benz

EQS Saloon

EQS 450+ 245kW AMG Line Premium 108kWh

Mercedes-Benz EQS Saloon available with 1000 miles per month on a Mercedes-Benz Car Subscription

Specification Includes: Satellite Navigation, EQ Navigation Services, Bluetooth, DAB Digital Radio, Active Traffic Sign Assist, Finger Print Scanner, Smartphone Integration, Apple CarPlay, Airmatic Air Suspension, Rear Wheel Steering, Burmester Surround Sound System, MBUX, AMG Exterior Styling, Frameless Windows, Panoramic Sliding Sunroof, Privacy Glass, AMG Sports Seats, Heated Front Seats, Heated Rear Seats, Alloy Wheels, ISOFIX

Availability: Limited Availability

From: £2195.00 + VAT p/m

From: £2,634.00 inc. VAT p/m

Audi

Q3 Sportback

45 TFSI e Black Edition

Audi Q3 Sportback available with 1000 miles per month on a Audi Car Subscription

Specification Includes: Plug-in Hybrid Technology, Audi Drive Select, Lane Departure Warning System, Smartphone Interface, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Digital Cockpit, Bluetooth, Traffic Sign Recognition, Satellite Navigation, MMI Navigation Plus, Power Operated Tailgate, Voice Control, Sports Suspension, USB-C Port, DAB Digital Radio, Acoustic Windscreen, Audi Beam, LED Headlights, Privacy Glass, Climate Control, ISOFIX, Black Styling Pack, Hill Hold Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitor, Alloy Wheels

Availability: In Stock

From: £1395.00 + VAT p/m

From: £1,674.00 inc. VAT p/m

VW

Golf Hatchback

2.0 TSI GTI

VW Golf Hatchback available with 833 miles per month on a VW Flexible Car Lease

Specification Includes: Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof, Winter Pack, Reversing Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Car2X Communication, Digital Cockpit, Driver Alert System, Dynamic Road Sign Display, eCall, Lane Assist, Lane Change Assist, Wireless Smartphone Charger, Multifunction Camera for Distance Control, Travel Assist, USB-C Port, Wireless App Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, XDS Electronic Differenctial Lock, Advanced High Beam Control, LED Headlights, Automatic Headlights, GTI Style Bumpers, Illuminated Front Grille, Privacy Glass, Ambient Lighting, Front Sports Seats, ISOFIX, Heated Front Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Tyre Pressure Monitor, Keyless Entry, Satellite Navigation, DAB Ditial Radio, Bluetooth, USB-C Port, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Sports Suspension

Availability: In Stock

From: £995.00 + VAT p/m

From: £1,194.00 inc. VAT p/m

Nissan

Qashqai Hatchback

1.3 DIG-T MH Acenta Premium Xtronic [Glass Roof]

Nissan Qashqai Hatchback available with 1000 miles per month on a Nissan Car Subscription

Specification Includes: Glass Roof, DAB Digital Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Touchscreen, Reversing Camera, Rear Parking Sensors, Climate Control, Alloy Wheels, ISOFIX

Availability: In Stock

From: £709.00 + VAT p/m

From: £850.80 inc. VAT p/m

Mercedes-Benz

EQC Estate

EQC 400 300kW AMG Line Premium 80 kWh

Mercedes-Benz EQC Estate available with 1000 miles per month on a Mercedes-Benz Car Subscription

Specification Includes: All Wheel Drive, Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth, Easy-pack Tailgate, EQ Navigation Services, Smartphone Integration, Traffic Sign Assist, Wireless Smartphone Charging, 11kW Onboard Charger, Comfort Suspension, DAB Digital Radio, MBUX, AMG Bodystyling, Electric Sliding Sunroof, Privacy Glass, Heated Front Seats, Keyless Go, Alloy Wheels, ISOFIX

Availability: In Stock

From: £1195.00 + VAT p/m

From: £1,434.00 inc. VAT p/m

There are so many circumstances where you may need that flexible vehicle, just call the team on 0330 330 9425 to see how we can help you!

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