How does delivery and collection work with car subscriptions?

Car subscriptions are designed to make driving easy. Most subscriptions include car hire, servicing, insurance, breakdown cover and mileage in a single monthly payment. Everything’s taken care of — so when you’ve signed the contract, all that’s left is to get the car on your driveway.

Different subscription services approach this in different ways. Most providers will deliver your car or allow you to collect it. But there are often fees involved in delivery, and organising car collection can be logistically difficult if you don’t have access to public transport. 

However, with all the facts about car subscription delivery and collection upfront, you’ll be able to decide which car subscription service works for you. By the way, we tested subscribing to Elmo, we wrote a review describing how the delivery went.

Find out the answers to common FAQs about car delivery and collection. Then compare all the major UK providers to find the right option for you.

Understanding car subscription delivery options

Most providers will deliver your car directly to your driveway. This makes it convenient for you to receive your car — you won’t need to arrange a lift or public transport to the dealership.

There are usually costs associated with delivery, so if you live near a pickup location, this may be more cost-effective.

Home delivery

The subscription provider will transport the vehicle directly to your specified location. Usually, with a home delivery, you will get the following:

• Convenient door-to-door service, 
• Driver who will handle all logistics, 
• Real-time tracking is available with most providers, 
• Digital documentation and verification processes. 

Depot Pickup

This means you have opted to collect the vehicle from the provider’s location. This is: 

• Often more affordable (avoiding delivery fees), 
• You have an immediate handover process,
• Direct communication with service staff,
• You get an opportunity to inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

How long will it take for my car to be delivered?

If you have chosen to get your car delivered, the length of time usually depends on the availability of the vehicle you’ve hired. Some providers offer delivery within 72 hours from subscription sign up, while others allow up to 1 month for delivery or collection.

Whether you sign up online or over the phone, the provider will arrange a delivery or collection date that suits you.

What happens if I need to change my car delivery or collection date?

As long as you give your provider enough notice, you can usually change your delivery date. This notice period varies between providers. Some only need 24 hours’ notice, while others ask to be told as much as 5 working days in advance. If you give less than the required notice, you could be charged an administration fee.

What should I do when my car is delivered?

You’ll need to be at home when your car is delivered so you can conduct the necessary checks with the delivery driver. This often involves providing them with your driver’s licence and insurance details (if this hasn’t been arranged by the subscription provider). If you won’t be at home, you may need to rearrange the date or assign a named driver to receive the car on your behalf.

The delivery driver will make a note of any existing wear and tear on the car. You need to record this as well. Taking photos of the vehicle when it’s delivered will help you return it in the same condition, so you can avoid any damage fines.

It’s also a good idea to go for a test drive in your new car, so you can see how it runs before you embark on a longer journey.

What happens when I cancel my car subscription?

When you cancel your car subscription, or your subscription expires, you can usually arrange for the car to be collected from your home. Collection fees usually apply at the same rate as delivery fees. Many providers also allow you to drop your car at their depot.

What do I have to do before my car is collected?

Regardless of how you choose to return your car, you’ll need to make sure it’s in the right condition to avoid extra charges. This includes:

• Cleaning or valeting the car
• Checking for damage, wear and tear
• Checking if you’ve exceeded your mileage allowance
• Fill with fuel or charge your car to the required amount
  

When you return the car, someone from the provider's team will check it over to confirm its condition. If there are any additional charges to be paid, you’ll be notified within a few weeks.

How car delivery and collection work with major UK car subscription providers

Find out how to collect and return your car from each of the UK’s major car subscription providers below.

EZOO

EZOO allows car collection or delivery and they .have streamlined their delivery and collection process:

• Main hubs in Coventry, Glasgow, and a new location in Manchester,
• Updated delivery rate: £1.95 per mile (including VAT),
• New flat-rate delivery zones available in major cities,
• Enhanced scheduling flexibility with 24-hour notice for changes,
• Digital condition reporting via their new app,
• Collection service matches delivery rates,
• Professional cleaning service available (£175 for full valet),
• EV-specific delivery service with mobile charging capability.

Evogo

Evogo’s car collection service is a little different from other providers. When you first sign up, you have to collect the car from their Sheffield office. This allows them to complete all the initial paperwork with you in person. For future car changes or returns, Evogo will deliver or collect your car from your address for a per-mile fee of £0.80 each way. 

Evogo asks that you notify them of any changes to delivery or collection information at least 48 hours before your scheduled delivery to avoid fees. You could say they have modernised their service whilst maintaining their thorough approach: 

• Initial collection still required at Sheffield headquarters, 
• New digital onboarding option before pickup, 
• Subsequent deliveries/collections now £0.85 per mile, 
• 48-hour notice required for schedule changes, 
• Added weekend delivery/collection options, 
• Mobile app for tracking and documentation, 
• Now offering charging station location support for EV deliveries.

Pivotal

Pivotal is the car subscription service from Jaguar Land Rover. Their car delivery is included in your subscription. Delivery times depend on car availability, so they will confirm lead times for individual cars when you subscribe.

Pivotal's premium service includes:

• Complimentary nationwide delivery and collection,
• New concierge delivery service,
• Digital vehicle orientation process,
• Flexible vehicle swaps every 6 months (still included),
• The 3-day notice period for delivery changes (£275 late change fee),
• Enhanced tracking and communication system,
• Professional handover specialists,
• Premium vehicle preparation service.

Care by Volvo

Care by Volvo is Volvo’s in-house car subscription service. You can collect your car from your local Volvo retailer, or they will deliver it to your home. Both services are included in your subscription. If you need to change your delivery details, you can do this free of charge provide the car hasn’t already arrived at the retailer.

Care by Volvo’s lead times are a little longer than other providers. Pre-built cars are delivered within 30 days, while personalised cars are delivered 3-8 months after subscription.

When it’s time to return your car, Volvo Care will collect it from you.

Flexed

Flexed accommodates both car delivery and collection. You can collect your car from their offices in York. Alternatively, if you opt for delivery, you’ll be charged £0.89 per mile from York.

Flexed offers one of the fastest lead times of all the major car subscription providers, with most cars available 2-3 days from enquiry.

When you want to return your car to Flexed, you can drop it off at their York office or arrange car collection at the same rate as delivery. Here are the key details you need to know:

• Both delivery and collection options are available
• Collection available from their York offices,
• Delivery charged at £0.89 per mile from York,
• One of the fastest lead times in the market,
• Most vehicles available within 2-3 days of enquiry,
• Drop-off available at York office,
• The collection service is priced the same as the delivery rate,
• Flexible scheduling options.

Wagonex

Wagonex partners with car suppliers to offer a range of cars on subscription. As a result, their delivery and collection policy can vary between models. Wagonex's service includes:

• Delivery and collection options through a partner network,
• Simple collection process through local dealerships,
• Free delivery up to 50 miles from the dealership,
• Per-mile fee applies beyond the free delivery radius,
• Flexible delivery scheduling with local dealers,
• Return options at the dealership,
• Home collection available at a delivery rate,
• Free collection within a 50-mile radius,
• Variable policies based on specific car models,
• Partnership with multiple suppliers for wider coverage.

Car subscription delivery and collection policies compared

*Additional charges may apply if you change delivery/collection information outside the required notice period. **Initial car collection only — delivery is available for subsequent cars.

Find the right car subscription for you

As more car subscription providers enter the market, it’s increasingly tricky to find the best deal. At CarSloth, we aim to give you all the information you need to make an informed choice about your next car. Find out more in our ultimate guide to car subscriptions.