There are many options for Uber drivers when it comes to buying a car — finance, leasing or subscription plans. But which one is the best? That depends on your needs as a driver, but joining a car subscription plan is undoubtedly the ideal choice if you’re looking for flexibility.  

Splend’s Flexi own plan is an all-inclusive car subscription tailored for rideshare drivers that covers everything you need to get on the road and earn, from car paperwork to rideshare insurance and regular maintenance. It helps you save time and money, all whilst having the option to return the car after the minimum subscription term. 

As with anything new to the market, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about Splend’s subscription plans, so let’s break each down.  

Myth #1 – Splend is more expensive than DIY finance 

Car subscription vs car finance is an ongoing battle. People tend to compare only the headline weekly payment and automatically assume that DIY finance is the cheaper option. With a closer look, you’ll realise that car finance only covers the car payment and none of the running costs, such as paperwork, insurance and servicing, whilst Splend’s plans come with everything a rideshare driver needs to start driving.  

Once you add these costs to the car finance monthly payments, you will see that you end up saving money with Splend. All that added to the flexibility our plans offer, the ongoing support you get from our team of PCO car specialists and the time you’re saving yourself by letting us handle all the admin work. 

Don’t just take our word for it, but rather trust the numbers. Here is a data-based example of how much you can save with Flexi own compared to DIY car finance for a Volkswagen ID.3 

Volkswagen ID.3
DIY car finance* Splend Flexi own
Car payment £229 £249
Rideshare insurance £60 Included
Servicing £8,5 Included
Maintenance £12,5 Included
The essentials £4 Included
Weekly cost £314 £249
Annual cost £16,328 £12,948
Total cost £65,321 £51,792

*DIY car finance assumes an APR of 12% over a four-year contract as of May 2023. 

Myth #2 – Splend’s mileage allowance is too low 

Splend has a 700 miles weekly allowance for Flexi plans and 1,000 miles for Flexi own. If you exceed this, there is a small £1 charge for Flexi and a £2 charge for Flexi own per 10 additional miles. An average Uber driver in an EV travels around 70-100 miles per day in London. Therefore, even if you drive every day, you will fall within the weekly allowance with no problem. 

Did you know? On Splend’s Flexi Own, any excess mileage contributes to your car payment. Even if you exceed the weekly mileage, the extra fee goes into your car payment and helps you own your car sooner.  

Myth #3 – Splend’s range of cars is limited 

As PCO car subscription specialists, we’re always keeping up with the industry’s trends and aim to offer our drivers the best cars for Uber. Since we’re big fans of green mobility, our fleet consists only of electric cars, with EVs being now the most profitable option for rideshare drivers.  

By switching to an electric car, you can significantly reduce your fuel and maintenance costs and take advantage of the numerous perks  — increased earnings with Uber Green, exemption from paying the Congestion charge and ULEZ charge, as well as getting easier access to an EV with the Uber Clean Air plan 

Our mission is to offer every driver a perfect car for their needs. Some drivers feel safer in smaller, compact cars, such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4, while others aim for size and comfort in a small SUV, like the frugal Kia Niro 2 EV or MG ZS. If you can’t get past range anxiety regarding EVs, we offer extended-range models, such as the Polestar 2 Long Range, with an impressive 341 miles WLTP range.  

We constantly try to keep up with market trends, technological progress and rideshare drivers’ demands so we know when to make new additions to our car range.  

Myth #4 – Splend is expensive compared to the competition 

Getting on a subscription plan is already a hard decision, let alone choosing the ideal provider for your needs. Compared to other car providers, Splend subscription plans cover everything within the subscription fee — car servicing, replacement tyres and brakes, rideshare insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance and replacement car in case of an accident.  

Here is a list of what do we offer extra compared to our competitors.  

Splend Other providers
Setup fee (non-refundable deposit) £199-£499 £500-£1,000
Included replacement parts 10 tyres
4 sets of front brake pads
2 sets of front brake disks
1 set of windscreen wiper blades 
Not included
Insurance Comprehensive cover for business
and day-to-day driving
 
Depends on the provider
Replacement PCO car to minimise time off the road  Yes No
Dedicated support and driver training  Yes Depends on the provider

As you can see from the table above, we are the only true all-inclusive provider on the market. Because we do include everything, the final costs end up being the lowest on the market. Plus, you get that complete peace of mind that comes with Splend. 

With Splend, you can also use your Uber Clean Air EV Assistance towards paying for a brand-new car.

About Splend

We enable people to make money by driving. Our vision is a future where every on-demand driver can be successful.

We are car subscription specialists. Don’t take our word for it—drivers rate us excellent on Trustpilot. We can set you up with a brand-new or new-model car on our Flexi own plan, plus we provide the training and support you need to become an Uber driver that’s more profitable, safer, and fulfilled.

Drop by our London Hub at 393 Edgware Road Cricklewood, Londonemail us, or say hello on 0333 016 4331