Compare five of the best business car hire and leasing providers for small businesses, including Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, Select, and Nationwide
Buying a car can tie up a significant amount of your capital. Hiring or leasing lets you access a vehicle through regular payments instead, reducing the amount you need to spend upfront and making cash flow easier to manage.
And there are other benefits. When you hire, you avoid vehicle depreciation, and you can write off rental fees against your profits. If you’re VAT-registered, you can sometimes reclaim a large part of that tax.
This article compares five leading business car hire and leasing providers, helping you decide between flexible rental or a longer-term leasing agreement.
According to our research, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car is the best overall business car hire solution. It offers maximum flexibility over terms and contract length, and with over 450 branches, you’re never too far away from a location. Discover our four other top providers to decide which is best for your needs and budget.
What is the difference between business car hire and business car leasing?
Business car hire is a short-term arrangement where you pay a fixed daily or weekly sum for the use of a vehicle with no long-term commitment. When you’re done, you simply return the vehicle. It’s ideal for short-term transport needs.
When you lease a car, often known as Business Contract Hire (BCH), you commit to (usually) a two- to four-year term, paying monthly for the use of the car. You’re also usually required to pay a minimum deposit (often called an initial payment), typically equivalent to 1-12 months of the monthly lease cost. At the end of the lease agreement, you can either return the car (with no depreciation as there would be if you owned the car outright) or you can upgrade to a new model.
Compare top hire and leasing providers
| Provider | Service type | Best for | Vehicles | Commitment | Maintenance |
| Enterprise-Rent-A-Car | Business vehicle hire and flexible rental | Changing vehicle needs | Cars, SUVs, people carriers and vans | Short-term hire or 30–355 days | Included with long-term rental |
| Select Car Leasing | Business leasing broker | Choice of lease deals | Cars and vans | Usually 24, 36 or 48 months | Optional fixed-price packages |
| Nationwide Vehicle Contracts | Car and van leasing broker | Comparing vehicle types | Cars, vans and commercial vehicles | Usually two to four years | Breakdown included; maintenance optional |
| Carwow | Online marketplace and credit broker | Comparing deals online | Cars and vans | Usually two to four years | Depends on the deal |
| Synergy Car Leasing | Business leasing credit broker | Personalised support | New and used cars and vans | Usually 12–48 months | Optional; coverage varies |
