Ready to get started with Splend? We’re excited for you to join our community.
We know there’s a lot to consider when you get started with PCO car rental or Rent to buy so we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide.
Before we delve into the smaller details, here’s what your early payments look like in comparison with a normal week’s invoice:
* For the days left of the first week, including the day you pick up the car
**Only applicable if you collect your car on billing day (Thursday) or later into the week
Contents
Startup costs
These are the early payments (due in the first week of your rental agreement) that you need to be familiar with:
1. Joining fee
Having a Splend car is like being part of a club, and of course, it means you enjoy some exclusive member benefits. The joining fee allows access to these. Unlike most other car providers, however, we don’t ask for a down payment or other large upfront bond.
The joining fee is a one-off £179 payment that allows you lifetime access. In other words, if you give back the car for any reason, and change your mind later, we’ll be greeting you as if you never left, and you won’t have to pay the joining fee again.
2. Collection day fee
When picking up your car the first time, you’ll pay a day rate for each day until the end of the week. Our billing week runs Monday to Sunday.
For example if you pick up the car on a Friday, we’ll charge you three days’ rent for the remainder of the week.
3. First upfront weekly fee
Our business model is unique because you can get a car without a credit check. However, we can only do this by collecting your payments one week in advance. You’re basically paying next week’s rent each time we charge your credit or debit card.
If you collect your car on billing day (Thursday) or later into the week, we also charge you your first full week’s fee, in addition to the joining fee and the collection day fee.
Important: After your first week, we’ll charge your nominated card on Thursdays, regardless of which day you signed up or picked up your car.
Special charges
There are some other occasional costs that may add to your invoice, on top of your normal weekly fee.
Excess mileage / Early ownership fee
If you exceed the 700-mile weekly quota there’s a small £1 charge per 10 additional miles. For example, if you drive 803 miles, we’ll charge £10, but for 807 miles we’ll charge £11. We add any excess mileage charges to your weekly invoice.
Note: on the Rent to buy plan, the excess mileage fees go towards early ownership. The more you drive, the sooner you own the car.
PCN notices
As Splend is the registered keeper of your car, we have to transfer any PCNs you might receive into your name. We charge a £19 administration fee for each traffic offence.
Insurance excess
If you have an accident, you’ll need to pay the insurance excess. Find out more under Insurance information in our FAQ.
Car damage outside fair wear and tear
Any damage outside what’s included in the fair wear and tear guide will be charged to you.
Case study – Startup cost example
Let’s walk through the startup costs in an example. Say, you sign up to the Rent plan on Thursday, and pick up your £219/week Kia Niro on Friday.
1. Joining fee
We’ll charge you the £179 joining fee on Thursday, and book you in to pick up your car on Friday.
2. Collection day fee
Since you pick up the car on Friday, that’s when you’ll pay the collection day fee. We’ll charge you for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, which totals £93.87.
3. First upfront weekly fee
Since we collect the payments one week in advance, and you’re picking up your car after billing day (Thursday) we’ll also charge you your first normal £219 weekly rental for week two as part of your first invoice.
* plus any special charges from week 1
What happens to my advance payment when I return the car?
Since you’ve paid the full week in advance, you’ll get a refund for the remaining days after returning your car if you don’t owe any outstanding amounts.
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 Rent to buy 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 a Rent to buy 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 Member Support Centre at 393 Edgware Road Cricklewood, London, email us, or say hello on 0333 016 4331
