Car subscription vs. car finance - 15 benefits of car subscriptions for ridesharing

The concept of car subscription plan is not new. You may be asking yourself – can you buy a car through Uber, or if not, is a car subscription plan worth it if you want to become an Uber driver?

We can think of at least 15 factors you should consider before deciding between getting an Uber car through traditional car finance or a car subscription plan, such as the Splend Flexi own.

Before we discuss car subscription vs. car finance, let’s answer the main questions:

Can you buy a car through Uber?

No. Although ridesharing wouldn't be possible without a steady supply of good-quality cars, Uber is not a car supplier, and they don’t have their own fleet. Drivers either use their own car or rent or subscribe to drive one for Uber.

Is a car subscription worth it for Uber driving?

Yes. Thousands of people use a car subscription for Uber instead of buying or financing a car. In fact, according to a survey by Finder.com.au, close to twice as many drivers prefer to rent or subscribe to drive the car they use for ridesharing rather than buying one.

One advantage is that you can change your mind: if you decide that Uber driving is not for you, you can hand back the car after your minimum period.

How much does car financing cost per week?

Subscribing to drive a car for rideshare is not only more convenient than financing, but also cheaper. Have a look below.

_{Estimation based on a Kia EV5 in Sydney at 12% interest rate (APR) for DIY with weekly repayments and no residual/balloon payment at the end of the 5-year contract, not including upfront loan establishment fees or deposits, as per October 2024.}

_{Estimation based on a 31-year-old male residing in Ryde NSW, having held a driver's licence for 12 years, with no insurance claims in the past 5 years; with a 12 month-policy paid monthly for comprehensive rideshare insurance of a Kia EV5. The pricing assumes 20,000+ kilometres travelled per year. The actual cost of your insurance policy might be different, and additional criteria may apply.}

_{Estimation based on scheduled servicing for a Kia EV5 as per the manufacturer's guidelines.}

_{Estimation based on a Kia EV5 with the cost of registration and CTP insurance averaged across all Australian states.}

Splend Flexi own vs. car finance

For less than the cost of DIY car finance, our Flexi own plan comes packed with features to help you minimise admin and maximise your on-demand income. We summarized below all the benefits of the Flexi own plan for the Kia EV5 Air Long Range, an ideal car for Uber driving.

1. Large deposit

We don’t charge a deposit, but we do charge a one-off, non-refundable set up fee when you sign up. For the Flexi own plan, the set up fee is $990. This, however, grants you access to dedicated support, customer benefits, and additional income opportunities through referrals that make the investment more than worthwhile.

2. Flexible car ownership

When you buy a car through traditional finance, you also commit to a 4-5 year lease, with no flexibility to return the car. With the Flexi own plan, you own your car within 3 to 5 years, depending on how much you drive, and you also have the flexibility to hand back the keys after a minimum subscription period of just 26 weeks. If you return the car within the first 12 months of your Flexi own agreement, we charge a $500 return fee.

3. Low credit score accepted

Traditional car finance requires a good credit rating and a lot of supporting documents prior to approval. At Splend, we always collect subscription payments one week in advance, so we can consider every application regardless of credit history.

To date, we’ve approved 93% of applications received, and our team will always recommend the Splend product that’s right for your situation.

4. Replacement car

We give you a replacement car* if you ever have an accident, so you can continue to work and earn while your car is being repaired. *subject to availability

5. Scheduled servicing

Any professional driver knows that if you take care of your car, it will also take care of you. That can be a hassle at times, but its important to ensure your car is in tip-top shape and you can stay on the road and earning. The great thing about a Flexi Own plan with Splend is your scheduled servicing according to the manufacturers' guidelines is all included so all you need to worry about is getting your car to its appoiintment!

6. Maintenance pack

Some parts don’t last forever and need to be replaced periodically in order to meet roadworthiness standards, and not least for your safety. If you’ve ever owned a car you know that these can slowly burn a hole in your pocket. The Flexi own plan includes the following parts over the length of your agreement:

• 10 replacement tyres

• 6 x 2 replacement brake pads

• 2 x 2 replacement brake discs

7. Car registration & CTP insurance

All Splend cars have valid registration and CTP insurance cover. This is also a huge time-saver, not to mention that you're covered if you ever have an accident.

8. Loss & accident cover

Accidents do happen sometimes, and you need to be prepared. Regardless of whether you choose a subscription plan or car finance, you’ll most certainly need a loss and accident waiver. At Splend, the Flexi own plan includes Loss and Accident cover, and we also take care of renewing it on time – saving you time and potential losses to penalty charges.

9. Rideshare admin

Each state has different rideshare regulations – you either need a special accreditation added to your driver's licence, an additional safety certificate for your car, or both. Regardless of local specifics, they all take time and cost money to obtain and renew, reaching hundreds of dollars annually in some cases. Splend’s support team processes all the necessary applications and we also cover the associated fees. All you have to do is make an appointment at your local Splend Hub and sign up for the plan that best suits your needs.

10. Car inspection

All of our cars are roadworthy and inspected by Uber. They're always ready for you to jump behind the wheel and start earning an income.

11. Referral bonus

Driving a new-model car to earn a flexible income is just one part of the Splend experience. Did you know you can also supplement your rideshare income with referral bonuses?

In simple terms, you spread the word and we reward you with $250 off your weekly fee if you introduce us to your friends who are new to Splend and sign up to a Flexi Own plan. To sweeten the deal, your friend will also receive $50 off their weekly subscription fee if they sign up through your referral. That bonus increases to $250 for them if they sign up to a plan for an EV.

12. Dedicated support

You won't be alone on your journey with 24/7 customer service and ongoing support to help you on your Uber journey.

13. Early buyout

When you only have 12 months remaining on your Flexi own agreement, you can buy out the car and pay off the remaining weekly fees in one go. We charge a $110 admin fee for early buyouts, and the regular $1 balloon payment for signing the car into your name.

14. 24/7 breakdown assistance

If you get stuck on the road, with Splend you’re covered by default. Just call your Customer Specialist, and help will be on its way within minutes, free of charge.

About Splend

Splend makes car ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible for rideshare drivers by building everything they need to earn more, pay less and stress less into one affordable weekly payment. It’s smooth driving, with no surprises and the lowest total ownership cost you’ll find – which is how car ownership for rideshare drivers should be. For more information about Splend, make an appointment and drop by to your local Splend Hub, email us, or say hello on 1800 775 363.