Small local car hire fleet

Local people with a car in for repair, visitors and holidaymakers, small businesses needing a temporary vehicle, and people between cars.

A daily or weekly hire fee per car, plus optional extras such as extra drivers, child seats, or a higher mileage allowance. Income depends on how many days each car is out.

• Customer service
• Organising bookings and vehicle upkeep
• Basic car knowledge
• Careful with paperwork and money

• Standard car insurance will not cover hiring cars out, so check you have proper hire and reward cover
• Check how you will verify driving licences, for example through the DVLA check service, and your policy on young or newly qualified drivers
• Keep MOT, tax and servicing up to date, as breakdowns and repairs quickly eat into profit
• Check planning and lease rules for storing and handing over cars at your site
• Damage disputes and unpaid deposits happen, so use clear terms and photograph each car before and after hire
• Fleet finance and depreciation are your biggest costs, so check the numbers before buying more cars. Buying outright needs substantial capital, while finance or leasing lowers the upfront cost but adds monthly payments

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £120,000, depending on how many cars you buy and whether you buy outright or use finance or leasing. Fleet finance and depreciation are your biggest costs, so check the numbers first.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on fleet size, pricing and how often cars are on hire. Repairs, servicing and downtime can cut into profit, so check the numbers.

Standard car insurance will not cover hiring cars out, so check you have proper hire and reward cover. Also check how you will verify driving licences, keep MOT, tax and servicing up to date, and planning and lease rules for your site.