Disadvantages of Car Subscription

Introduction

Car subscription is a relatively new way of having a personal vehicle in your garage to help you get around without having to own it. It is easy to subscribe to a vehicle quickly and affordably. Car subscription is the most budget-friendly way of having a car for your convenience without having to pay huge sums of money for it. Many people also prefer the convenience of having a car delivered to their doorstep without having to visit a dealership, going through the registration process or worrying about maintenance, services, insurance, or resale.

The market for car subscriptions is growing rapidly. The model is fast gaining popularity and many big brands have also now started offering their customers a subscription model as part of their services. Nowadays, there are many car subscription providers in the market so you have a variety of cars and services to choose from based on your requirements. The vast majority of them don’t use vehicles over 4-5 years old so you’re sure to get a reliable car.

While car subscription offers lots of perks to the consumer, it comes with its own limitations. You pay a monthly fee for a long time, but the car will never be yours to own. Many consumers believe this is wasted money, as they prefer to be paying monthly installments instead. You end up sacrificing the luxury of having something you own at your disposal.

There are disadvantages to subscribing to a car and it isn’t ideal for everyone. While there are many benefits to subscribing to a car, there are also some downfalls that you may need to consider before you take the leap into subscription.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Many subscription providers only allow people over a certain age to drive their vehicles. Jaguar has an age cap of 30. Cazoo requires you to be over the age of 25 to be able to subscribe to their vehicles. This may limit your options in terms of the company that you want to choose, and the availability of certain cars and models.

LACK OF OWNERSHIP

While you do pay a monthly fee for a car, you never actually end up owning the vehicle. This can over time, for long-term subscriptions, make some consumers feel like it’s a waste of their money. Many people prefer to be paying monthly installments instead for a vehicle that they will eventually own and then have the option of reselling it if they wish to. Moreover, because you don’t own the vehicle you’re subscribing to, you have to be more aware of how you treat and use the car for the duration that you subscribe to it, as you will have to pay for any damages, scratches or dents to the car while it’s under your care. Another important thing to keep in mind is that you may have to plan any long journeys well in advance as many subscription services may have restrictions on the areas you’re allowed to drive in, as well as a mileage cap.

YOU CAN’T MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO A CAR YOU’VE SUBSCRIBED TO

You can’t make any permanent or even temporary modifications to the car that you’re subscribing to. Even minor adjustments and modifications have to be done through the subscription company with their approval. You have to find the car that meets all your modification needs such as the interiors, car stereo or paint jobs.

This might limit the number of cars to choose from. While many car subscription companies have a wide variety of cars to offer, ideally, you should keep an open mind about any minor adjustments to the car itself.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES MAY HAVE A MILEAGE CAP ON THEIR VEHICLES

If you’re planning to use the car for driving long distances or for long road trips, you may have to first check with your car subscription company. Most car subscription companies have a mileage cap on their cars that you would have to adhere to. This is usually to ensure that you’re not driving the car out of the state and staying within the range restrictions that the company has put into place.

AVAILABILITY OF CARS

This can be an issue if you have a very specific car or model in mind that you want to subscribe to, especially if you’re looking for a particular colour or a car with specific modifications. You may have to spend a lot of time researching or scrolling through different websites. Most companies offer a variety of different cars to choose from, but it may be hard to find the exact car you’re interested in that also meets your budget requirements. While car subscription is fast gaining popularity all over the world, there are still some countries and cities that currently don’t have any car subscription services, so if you’re looking to subscribe to a car in a new country you’re planning to travel to, it may be best to do your research beforehand.

CAR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT SUITABLE FOR LONG DURATIONS

Car subscription is usually more suited for short-term subscription periods. Especially for people who travel a lot, subscribing to a car might make more sense than purchasing one. This gives you the opportunity to change or upgrade your vehicle as and when you need it, and only have the car for the duration of need. When you subscribe to a car on a yearly tenure, you could end up paying huge sums of money over time and the monthly payments do add up. Another important thing to note is that if you’ve subscribed to the same car for a long period of time, you will inevitably see some wear and tear from regular use even if you’re very sincere about keeping the car in good condition. You may have to pay some damage fee for it at the time of returning the car. If you do require a car for long periods of time, it might be better to buy a car and pay monthly installments for it instead so you have the freedom to use it as you wish, take it for longer journeys, and have the option of being able to resell it if and when the need arises.

COVERING ANY DAMAGE AND REPAIR RELATED EXPENSES

Most car subscription services require you to pay a damage fee at the time of subscription. While this fee is usually refundable if the car is returned in the same condition as it was when it was delivered, minor damages, scratches and dents can lead to you having to cover that cost out of the damage fee. The price of these damages can very often be higher than if you were to take it to a mechanic and have it repaired. Car subscription usually offers well-maintained cars and for that reason, will do thorough checks on your vehicle at the time of return.

A BETTER CAR COULD COST YOU MORE MONEY

The biggest benefit of car subscription is that you can avail the benefits of a luxury car, or a higher-end model of a car that otherwise might have been out of your budget. You end up avoiding the high down payments and installments that may pan out for years for an expensive car that you’re interested in. Car subscription allows you the opportunity to drive a luxury car for as long as you want without paying huge sums of money upfront. But the more expensive the car, the higher the monthly payments. While many companies offer discounted rates for a longer tenure, subscribing to luxurious cars is usually only suitable for the short term to the average person. These prices often reflect the service you choose and the support that they have in place for their consumers. So while you may find a car subscription company that offers heavily discounted rates, this might come at the expense of good consumer support.

The benefits of car subscription do outweigh the downfalls, but it certainly isn’t for everyone. These benefits come with some compromises that you might have to make on your end. This is why a lot of people still prefer to own a car over a subscription. At the end of the day, it comes down to your needs and what you’re looking to get out of your vehicle.