If you’re a small business owner or sole trader, getting a van can be a crucial step on the road to growth.
But for far too many entrepreneurs, what should be a simple process ends up being anything but.
From long lock-in periods and harsh credit checks to complex contracts, sourcing vans from traditional leasing firms is often painful and costly.
That’s why people are raving about DriveSimple, which ditches old-fashioned leases in favour of van subscriptions that you can build and personalise yourself.
They’re already proving popular with businesses and sole traders who are looking for a more flexible alternative to leasing with lower upfront costs and less financial risk.
DriveSimple ditches old-fashioned leases in favour of van subscriptions that you can build and personalise yourself
They include Marcos, who drove for DHL before deciding to build his own delivery business, Marcos Services.
‘I started DriveSimple because getting a van for a small business was too hard’
Having arranged the purchase of £50million worth of vehicles while working for carsharing company Streetcar, John Agnew (pic below) was initially unfazed when a small business asked him for help getting a van.
But he tried and failed three times after coming up against requests for a massive deposit, a four-year lock-in and overly zealous credit checks.
Realising there must be a better approach, he teamed up with Streetcar’s founder to start DriveSimple.
‘All the previous van options in the UK were designed to be great for the dealers or the banks,’ he says.
‘So we took the whole thing apart and built it the way the customer would want it.’
After getting his first van with DriveSimple in 2023, he now has 15 (and counting!) – which he operates as part of the DHL network.
Marcos loves the way he can decide the terms of each subscription: including the contract length, the deposit and mileage.
Subscriptions start from just six months, with £0 deposit and three-month cancellation options available.
Credit checks are quick and easy, with near-100% approval rates.
‘DriveSimple has been by my side from the start, and has helped me expand my delivery business,’ Marcos says.
The business owner takes some DriveSimple vans on fixed terms, and some on a rolling basis – allowing him to scale up and down with demand.
‘Their flexibility allows me to grow my income, without taking too much risk,’ he adds.
When you put so much effort into delivering a great service for your customers, nothing is more frustrating than encountering the opposite from suppliers.
DriveSimple prides itself on being friendly, professional and efficient, with vans ready for you to drive in five days and the option for doorstep delivery.
Unlike most van leasing firms, DriveSimple gives you the option of adding your own branding before you hit the road.
And while many van hire providers use any excuse to hike their prices, they reward loyalty by giving you the same price as long as you keep your van.
Van subscriptions are already proving popular with businesses and sole traders who are looking for a more flexible alternative to leasing with lower upfront costs and less financial risk
Smiths, an engineering and skilled trades contractor in Weybridge, signed up with DriveSimple in 2022 and has been delighted by the service they’ve received.
By rapidly growing their fleet to keep up with customer demand, Smiths have also seen a great impact on their bottom line.
They quickly upgraded to four vans and a pickup and have now signed up for another three vans, taking them to eight in total.
‘DriveSimple offers a perfect solution for construction companies like ours, working across the trades,’ says a representative.
‘We pride ourselves on great service and expect the same from our providers. That’s why we enjoy working with DriveSimple, and have continued to take on more vans.’
Get a van on your terms in three simple steps
If you’re used to dealing with the big van leasing firms, you’ll be amazed how straightforward it is to build your own van subscription with DriveSimple.
The service has already proved a hit with customers, who’ve given them a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
Here’s how it works –
1 – Choose a van from their range of popular brands, including Citroën and Renault.
2 – Build your plan, tailoring its duration, deposit and flexibility to your requirements.
3 – Get your van in five days, with the option of having it delivered to your door.
Build your van subscription today by visiting drivesimple.co.uk
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‘It allowed me to grow my income without taking too much risk’: The secret behind one business owner’s expansion