The own‑versus‑hire decision is one of the most consequential a business makes — and one of the most often made on the wrong basis. A clear framework cuts through the noise.
Step 1 — Map utilisation honestly
For each vehicle category, ask:
- How many weeks per year is it actually in use?
- How much does it earn per active week?
- What is the cost per active day, including idle time?
Vehicles with low utilisation rarely justify ownership.
Step 2 — Map total cost of ownership
For owned vehicles, include:
- Capital or finance cost
- Depreciation
- Insurance, VED, MOT
- Routine maintenance and major repairs
- Tyres, AdBlue, consumables
- Compliance (DVS, tachograph)
- Internal admin time
- Disposal cost / residual risk
Step 3 — Compare to a real hire framework
Compare your TCO to a like‑for‑like CoreHire rate. Make sure inclusions and mileage are compatible.
Step 4 — Layer in flexibility
Even if owning makes sense for some of the fleet, very few businesses are 100% ownership candidates. The smartest fleets combine:
- CoreHire — for the stable, high‑utilisation core
- OptiRent — for medium‑term seasonal or project capacity
- QuickHire — for emergencies and short bursts
Step 5 — Make the decision strategic, not emotional
Vehicles often carry emotional weight — they're visible assets, often in the brand. Make the decision based on the numbers, not the optics.
What we'll happily do for you
We'll run the comparison using your real fleet, real mileage and real cost history. No obligation.
Want a clear own vs. hire decision? Send us your fleet list — we'll do the analysis.
