Car clubs explained

Car clubs are a way for drivers to use a vehicle when they need it without being tied to car ownership.

They can be a good option for anyone who doesn't need to drive every day, but still needs to use a car from time to time – whether that's a couple of days a week, or a handful of times a year.

Car club membership can also be an economical alternative to owning a second car, if someone in your family occasionally needs to drive when the main car is in use.

Depending on how much you need to use a car, it can be cheaper – and more sustainable – than owning one yourself.

We've looked at the different options, costs, and what you get. 

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What is a car club?

Commercial car clubs offer members access to one or more local vehicles that can be booked and used for short periods on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Depending on the car club and location, there may be a range of different makes, models and sizes available, including vans and electric vehicles. This makes car clubs useful to car owners too, since it can be convenient to book a bigger vehicle for an hour or two when you need to move large loads.

Members complete an application process and pay a joining fee to gain access to the booking system. 

Vehicles are generally reserved online, by phone, or through an app, and can be booked for as little as 30 minutes at a time. 

Most UK car clubs operate on a 'back to bay' basis, where the vehicle must be returned to the designated parking space from which it was collected. 

Some operate a 'back to area' system, where the car just needs to be left in a designated area, while others offer a one-way or 'flex' option, where the car can be taken on a one-way trip and left somewhere else entirely.

As well as the big commercial options, there are also a number of successful community car clubs, which are smaller, member-based initiatives run by local groups, often in smaller towns or rural areas.

How are car clubs different from car rental?

Although car clubs are similar in some ways to traditional car rental, there are some key differences.

1. Car club cars are often parked in residential areas, so they are nearer to the people who want to use them. There's no need to travel to the car rental office location to collect and return the vehicle.
2. Minimum car club rental periods can be as little as 30 minutes, so you only pay for what you need. Traditional rentals are normally charged by the day.
3. Car club vehicles can often be collected and returned at any time of the day or night, so there's no need to plan your rental around office opening hours.
4. Car club bookings can be made online or by smartphone app, so you can check availability and make a booking at the last minute if needed.

Why join a car club?

According to the RAC Foundation, the average car or van in England is driven less than 5% of the time. Most of the time, it is either parked at home (73%) or parked elsewhere (23%).

Meanwhile, the cost of car ownership is considerable. Based on analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics, personal finance analysts at NimbleFins estimate that the cost to own a car in 2025 was £3,357. That includes the cost of fuel, insurance, taxes, servicing and repairs, as well as factoring in a certain amount of annual depreciation in the car's value.

For drivers looking to limit their environmental impact, the high prices of new electric vehicles make that greener option out of reach for many.

In comparison, car club membership allows drivers to enjoy driving modern, reliable vehicles without the high price tag and responsibilities of ownership.

Research from CoMoUK, the national organisation for shared transport, found that, on average, using an EV through a car club can save you £5,573 a year compared to owning a new EV. 

'I would recommend it as an alternative to owning a car'

Which? member Kevin Moore is a member of the Co Wheels Car Club in Lewes, Sussex.

He sold his car during the Covid-19 pandemic, and mostly uses the train service in Lewes combined with buses to get to most places.

Kevin uses the car club that he's a member of around four to five times a year, mainly to transport bulky items.

He says: ‘There always seems to be a car available (10-minute walk away) and in general it works well.

‘I know of other Lewes car club members who have used Co Wheels in other towns, for example travelling by rail to Newcastle and then booking a car to use there.

‘I would recommend it as an alternative to owning a car. It’s easy to use and cheaper for me.’

How sustainable are car clubs?

Car clubs are considered to be a sustainable choice as they can support a 'car-light' lifestyle, boosting members’ use of low-carbon travel such as public transport, walking and cycling.

Reducing private car ownership means fewer cars need to be manufactured overall, which reduces the energy and resources needed to make them. 

CoMoUK estimates that in 2023 each car club vehicle in the UK replaced between 14 and 32 private cars.

On average, car club vehicles also produce lower emissions and less air pollution. According to CoMoUK, 35% of publicly accessible car club cars are fully electric, compared with less than 2% of private cars. A further 35% of car club cars are hybrid or plug-in hybrid, and 100% are compliant with Low Emission Zones.

How much do car clubs charge?

The cost of car club membership varies between companies and according to location. There are often different membership levels according to how often you plan to use a vehicle.

The total cost is typically made up of a number of different charges, for example:

• Joining fee Some schemes require a one-off joining fee to cover the cost of the application and smartcard.
• Monthly or annual membership A recurring charge to be part of the car club. There may be a range of prices for varying levels of membership, and younger drivers may have to pay more.
• Hire fee A pay-as-you-go fee each time a vehicle is hired. Cars are generally charged by the hour or day, and vary according to vehicle type and location.
• Mileage charge A cost per mile is often also charged on top of the hire fee. Some membership plans include a fixed number of miles per hire or per day, so you may not pay mileage fees for local trips. Mileage rates vary according to vehicle type and location.

Comparing car club charges can be confusing. Each operator offers different levels of membership; a more expensive membership plan usually offers lower hire and mileage charges, so it's a better choice if you plan to use the car club frequently. 

If you're trying a car club for the first time, or know you won't use it very often, then the cheapest (or free) membership is a good place to start.

Hire charges and mileage rates vary according to your membership level, location, and type of vehicle. 

Comparing charges for Enterprise Car Club, Co Wheels, Hiyacar and Zipcar

Car club operators Co Wheels, Enterprise Car Club, Hiyacar and Zipcar are all accredited by CoMoUK, which means they have agreed to a common set of customer safety and service standards as well as ensuring that vehicles meet strict emissions standards.

We've summarised their typical charges below, but you'll need to visit the website of your local car club(s) to see more accurate pricing for your own circumstances.

What's included in car club prices?

Once you've paid any joining fees and monthly or annual membership charges, you will pay the hire fee and mileage charge, if there is one, each time you use a vehicle.

Car club charges usually include comprehensive insurance, fuel and breakdown cover, as well as road tax and MOT, servicing, repairs and cleaning. 

If the car is low on fuel and needs a top-up, you can pay using the fuel card or EV charge card included with every vehicle. You don't need to pay for fuel out of your own pocket. 

However, there are some things that are not included and could cost extra, such as:

• Parking for any location other than the assigned car club parking bay (or area). Just like parking your own car, you'll have to pay for parking in any paid-for car parks or bays. 
• Tolls, penalty charge notices and speeding fines incurred during your hire period.
• Fines or charges incurred from parking outside of the assigned bay. The car club may charge you if you don't return the vehicle to its assigned bay (or area).
• Fines or charges from leaving the vehicle in an unsuitable condition for the next user. Car club members are expected to remove any rubbish and leave the vehicle in a clean and tidy state. Failure to do so can lead to a fine and the cost of specialist cleaning, if required.
• If you have an accident that is your fault, you may have to pay an insurance excess. However, some car clubs offer the option to pay an additional Collision Damage Waiver, which reduces or removes the excess fee. 

Is there a car club near me?

For many drivers, your choice of car club will depend on the availability of cars in convenient nearby locations.

According to the most recent annual car club report from CoMoUK, there were 4,513 publicly accessible car club vehicles in the UK in 2023.

However, they are not evenly distributed across the country. A large proportion are based in London.

CoMoUK has a useful map of car club locations in the UK.

'When we need a car last-minute, we are usually able to find one'

Which? member Shellie is a member of the Enterprise Car Club in Leith, Edinburgh. 

She does not own a car and uses the car club once or twice a month.

Shellie rents cars most often for short periods of four hours or less, for hospital appointments for her disabled partner. She occasionally hires for an hour, or even only 30 minutes, to take something to a storage unit or the recycling centre. She also occasionally hires for a short break (eg a weekend away), though it's often cheaper to hire a regular Enterprise rental car for this length of time, since there's a 15% discount for car club members.

Shellie says that, due to a new Low Emission Zone in the area, Enterprise has ‘recently improved the fleet, added more electric cars and charging points, which is a plus’. However, she is concerned that recent price increases ‘will drive people out of the scheme’. 

She also adds: ‘We asked for more cars in our neighbourhood and [...] they did respond with more availability closer to us. Now when we need a car last-minute during the week we are usually able to find one not far away, but on weekends, and especially Saturdays, you literally cannot find a car anywhere in the EH postcode.’

Should I use a car club if I need a car every day?

Car clubs don't suit everyone. 

Many areas are not within easy reach of either car clubs or regular public transport, and car ownership is the only convenient option.

Some car owners need to drive very frequently, which means that owning a car and paying for its upkeep and fuel would still be a more cost-effective choice than a car club scheme. 

For some drivers, the choice of what car to drive is the most important consideration. This may be for reasons of comfort or safety, or because special adaptations are needed – or simply preference for a certain size, make or model.

If you're thinking of buying a more environmentally friendly car, take a look at our guide to the best electric cars.

Do car owners use car clubs?

Car ownership may be the best, or only, option for some. But some car owners may also find a car club useful.

Most car clubs offer a range of vehicles, including estate cars and vans of various sizes. If you occasionally need to move a large load – such as for visits to the local tip or recycling centre – it can be cheaper to use a car club for a couple of hours than hiring a 'man and van' or paying for a full day's hire through traditional rental companies.

Car clubs can also be useful if you make long journeys throughout the UK and would like to use a car at your destination. Rather than driving the length of the country, the journey could be made more quickly and easily by train and a car club car can then be used as needed when you arrive.

'Found their customer service to be reliable'

Which? member SP lives in London but also has a flat in Edinburgh.

He owns a car in London, and sometimes drives to Scotland, but uses a car club a couple of times a year in Edinburgh to save the hassle of booking rental cars. 

SP says that when there has been a problem, he has found their customer service to be reliable.

If your local car club has electric vehicles available, it could be a good way to test whether an EV is the right car for you. Many drivers have never driven an EV, so hiring one for an hour or two, or to make a few of your regular trips, could be a good way to experience one first-hand and see if it fits your lifestyle before committing to owning one.

If you're weighing up the costs of electric car ownership, head to our guide to electric car charging and how much it costs.