Economy car hire – a way to keep costs down?

These are tough times for everyone. With the soaring cost of living taking its toll, we’re living in a cost-conscious world, and families up and down the country are looking for ways to cut back wherever they can.

The question is, would you give up your car to save some cash?

Owning and maintaining a vehicle is quickly becoming an unaffordable option for many people. And due to recent changes in buying behaviour (particularly in the younger generation), alternatives to car ownership are on the rise – including Netflix-style subscriptions and economy car hire.

Think you could be persuaded?

If you’ve not considered this spend-savvy option before, at PSD Vehicle Rental, we definitely reckon you should – and not just because we’re a leading company for car hire in Warrington and St Helens. Here we take a closer look at why.

You’re not getting enough bang for your buck

Running a car is an expensive business. From cleaning and maintenance to MOTs and insurance, it soon adds up and can make a huge dent in your bank balance. On average, it costs £3400 a year – and that’s before you factor in the cost of buying the vehicle in the first place.

Having spent so much, you’d expect people to use their cars as much as possible. But they don’t!

According to a recent study, the average UK car owner spends just 9 hours a week behind the wheel. The research concluded that whilst many people are proud to own a vehicle, the amount of time they spend actually driving it – and getting their money’s worth – is very minimal.

Most of the time – approximately 159 hours (!) a week – it simply sits on the driveway or in the garage. Doing nothing and depreciating rapidly.

So why do we do it? Why do we feel the need to spend a small fortune on something that we barely use?

Economy car hire: it’s the future

The fact is – you don’t need to own a car to get the benefits.

Not when it’s possible to borrow one instead…

Alternative forms of car ownership are now often referred to as Mobility as a Service (MaaS). They offer a way to gain short-term access to a vehicle – as and when required – without actually having to own the vehicle yourself. And our economy car hire in Warrington and St Helens is the perfect example.

Bookings can be made quickly and easily via our website. You only pay for a car when you need it, and without any day-to-day running expenses to pay for, you’ll have more money in your back pocket for those inevitable rainy days.

Benefits of using economy car hire

It’s cheap

Our economy rental cars cost just £40 a day.

But just because they’re cheap, doesn’t mean they’re low quality. All of our vehicles are up-to-date models – well-maintained, in perfect condition and thoroughly valeted and sanitised between use.

They also get top marks for fuel efficiency. Combined with our ‘full to full’ fuel policy – which means you only pay for the fuel you use – you certainly won’t need to spend a lot on petrol or diesel.

There are no extras

Car insurance. MOTs. Servicing. Tyre repairs and replacements. Garage bills. Valeting. Breakdown cover. General Maintenance. All the things that you have to pay for when you own a vehicle.

You don’t need to worry about any of them. We cover the cost of all those extra expenses. You can choose to pay extra at checkout to reduce the damage waiver and hire a Sat Nav – but it’s certainly not essential. With our economy car hire service, you simply book the car and drive it away.

It’s a greener option

If the UK is to fulfil its climate change promise, the current levels of personal vehicle ownership simply aren’t compatible. In fact, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is set to be banned by 2040. And there’s growing pressure to bring that date forward, coming into effect in 2030 instead.

Hiring a car is a much greener alternative. It will encourage you to drive less, significantly reducing your carbon emissions and promoting ‘healthier’ ways to get around – such as walking or cycling.

It’s convenient

All of our vehicles are available to provisionally book online – and the process is really quick and easy. Just select the car, generate your quote using the calculator, and choose a collection date and time that suits you.

You can even drive away on the same day if you wish. And unlike public transport, our service is 100% reliable. There’s no need to worry about missing your bus, getting held up by a delayed train, or having your plans ruined by the strikes. It’s like having your own car, just without the hassle.

It’s flexible

The beauty of our economy car hire service is that you’re in control.

Perhaps money is particularly tight this month and you’re trying not to spend too much? Maybe you just need a car to go shopping at the weekend? Or have a full week of client meetings planned in the city centre? Whatever your day-to-day requirements, you can use our hire service as much or as little as your like, essentially ‘paying as you go’ – and only renting a car when you actually need it.

Curious enough to find out more?

Giving up your car is a big decision and, there’s no denying, it would take some getting used to. But using economy car hire as an alternative to car ownership is a fantastic way to boost your bank balance (at a time when you need it the most), whilst also reducing your environmental impact.

At the very least, it’s something worth considering.

To find out more about short-term car hire in Warrington and St Helens, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help and will gladly answer any questions you may have. Simply give us a call on 0345 222 1022 to discuss our economy rental cars with a member of the team. Or send an email to info@psdvehiclerental.co.uk and we’ll respond to your enquiry ASAP.