Driving less? Save more with car subscriptions

What is a car subscription?

Car subscriptions are revolutionising the way people approach car ownership. While the idea of having a brand-new car for a fixed monthly fee might sound like leasing, there are some key differences that make car subscriptions a better option for many drivers. For some, it may also be a better option than owning your own car outright.

One of the most significant advantages of a car subscription is flexibility. Unlike leasing or owning, car subscriptions allow you to switch cars depending on your needs, making it a great option for those who drive less than those who want to try out different cars each month. Plus, there is no long-term commitment which means you can cancel your subscription whenever you like. Change from a 2-seater to a 7-seater, or from petrol to electric, all depending on what you need that month.

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, car subscriptions are hard to beat. With Drive Fuze, for example, all the running costs, including maintenance, repair, tax, insurance and breakdown cover, are included in the monthly fee. This means you don't have to worry about unexpected costs and can actually save money in the long run.

Car subscriptions also offer more freedom than traditional car ownership or leasing. You’re not locked into a multi-year deal or one car, and you can change your subscription as needed. This makes it a great option for those who are unsure about their long-term transportation needs.

Setting up a car subscription is easy, and it has become a viable alternative to traditional car ownership. You can save money by paying less upfront and avoiding the depreciation that comes with buying a car. Plus, with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness that car subscriptions offer, it’s easy to see why they’re becoming such a popular option for drivers. 

Driving less? Save money

When you start a car subscription, you can be safe in the knowledge that you only ever have to pay for what you actually use. All of our plans come with 1,000 miles per month as standard, but you can always extend this if you feel you need to drive further for any particular month.

You also have the complete flexibility to change your plan at any time. It’s tough to know what your long-term vehicle needs are going to be, but with a car subscription, you simply don’t need to know. Maybe you need a bigger car to deal with a growing family, or something better equipped to deal with the muddy paws of a brand-new furry friend. Whatever happens, you’re free to access our full range of vehicles at any time and to change as you see fit.

Car subscriptions can also save you money compared to owning or leasing. Every month you’ll know exactly what the subscription is going to cost you so you can plan accordingly, massively reducing any admin or worries. You’ll also never have to deal with unexpected costs such as replacing a tyre after a puncture or dealing with an expensive new windscreen if a crack appears - all of that is taken care of as part of your monthly subscription with Drive Fuze.

In fact, you’d be surprised with everything that’s included as part of your monthly payments:

• Road tax
• Comprehensive insurance
• Servicing
• Maintenance
• New tyres
• Breakdown cover
• 24/7 support

You'll also benefit from much lower upfront costs compared to leasing or buying outright. Instead of a large lump sum, you’ll only pay one month upfront, and you’ll get it right back at the end of your subscription!

Choosing a flexible car subscription plan

When trying to decide between a subscription, a lease, or outright owning a car there are a few important considerations to take into account.

First, are you driving enough to even consider owning a car? With the recent rise of remote work and working from home, many people aren’t driving nearly as much as they used to. If you no longer have a long commute, you might only be using your car a handful of times each week, or even just at the weekend. If this is the case, it might not be worth buying your own car. Instead, why not consider a car subscription where you’ll only pay for what you use, and you’ll never have to worry about your car depreciating while it sits in your driveway?

Next, how much can you afford? If you want a brand-new car with all the latest features it’s going to cost you quite a bit. The upfront costs alone could make it difficult for you to even consider buying. With a car subscription, those costs are a fraction of what they are if you choose to buy outright. Your monthly costs will also likely be lower and far more predictable with a subscription.

You should also think about where you live and what exactly you need. Your needs will be very different depending on if you live in the country versus in the heart of the city. You’ll also have to consider what you’ll be using your car for. Will it just be you in it or will you have to transport a family? If you buy a car outright, your decision is locked so you better have all of this figured out. If you’re unsure of your long-term plans, a car subscription could be for you. It offers you the flexibility to live your life how you want and to change as you need to.

Avoiding the hidden costs of ownership

Unfortunately, owning a car just isn’t as simple as buying it and then getting straight onto the road. There are a whole host of other costs that you need to consider. Here’s a list of just some of the things you’ll have to pay for when it comes to owning a car and keeping it on the road:

• The actual purchase/monthly payments
• Insurance
• Repairs
• Servicing
• Road tax
• Fuel/electric charging
• Fees, tolls, permits, and fines

In fact, the current average annual cost just to run a car in the UK is over £3,500. Many of these costs can occur unexpectedly and cause real headaches for budget-conscious drivers. A punctured tyre or mechanical fault can end up leaving you hugely out of pocket. Instead of leaving all of this to chance, why not consider a car subscription? Drive Fuze’s subscriptions are all-inclusive, meaning your insurance, tax, repairs, maintenance, and servicing are all covered within the monthly fee. This gives you incredible peace of mind and saves you from ever having to worry about unexpected costs. 

Car subscriptions also help you avoid other hidden costs that you might never have even considered. The second you buy a new car and drive it off the lot it begins to depreciate and lose value. You could lose up to 35% of the value you paid for it within the first year! With a subscription, this is never an issue. Along with not having to worry about depreciation, you’ll also never have to worry about trying to resell or trade in your car when you want to upgrade - something which can be an extremely time-consuming process.

You can also save money on your car insurance through a car subscription. We negotiate our premiums for our entire fleet, giving us significant pricing power with insurance companies. These savings are translated directly to you, with comprehensive insurance included as standard as part of our all-inclusive service.

Upfront costs for car subscriptions are typically much lower than leasing or outright buying too, with our upfront cost often coming in at less than £500 depending on what car you choose - well below what you’d pay if you try and finance through PCP. You also won’t be locked into any long-term contract or have to worry about early termination fees. You’re free to cancel your subscription at any time with no unexpected costs.

Finally, a car subscription allows you to try out as many different types of car as you like without ever committing to a purchase or lease. You can take the time to find out what really suits you. Test drives never tell the whole story, to really figure out if a car is right for you it’s important to see how it fits your lifestyle. If you make the wrong choice with a purchase or a lease, you’re stuck with that car for years. With a subscription, you can change up your car every month if you want.

Learn how to save more with a car subscription

It’s clear to see that for someone who might drive less, a car subscription is the perfect service to keep you on the road without having to pay a huge amount to do so. You’ll have the freedom to drive as much or as little as you like while only paying for what you use. Our plans are also extremely flexible, meaning that you can always adjust your subscription to meet your current needs - you don’t need to know your long-term plans straight away before getting on the road.

Why not take a look at the cars we have on offer and get started on your car subscription journey today? Don’t wait around any longer. Get in touch today and you could be picking up the keys as early as next week!