Frequently Asked Questions
A rundown of the questions we’re asked most about subscribing to, leasing or hiring a vehicle with us. Looking for something specific to one service? Each service page carries its own set of answers too.
Is a credit check compulsory for every application?+
It is — we run one on every single application, no exceptions. That’s not down to preference on our part; it’s required to meet anti-money laundering rules and our FCA obligations.
Is insurance already sorted for me?+
It isn’t. Every vehicle we hand over needs fully comprehensive cover in place, which you arrange yourself. Our Insurance page is a decent starting point if you want to compare quotes.
What's a documentation fee likely to cost me?+
It’s the admin charge for putting your agreement together, starting at £295.00 plus VAT (£354.00 inc. VAT). The figure moves depending on the vehicle and funder, and it’s always displayed on that vehicle’s listing.
Is a deposit ever non-refundable?+
No — any deposit we ask for comes back to you. Our underwriters set the amount, subject to status, as one part of the usual credit-checking process.
Can listings show figures both with and without VAT?+
They can — every vehicle page has a toggle switching between a plus-VAT and an inc.-VAT price. Business customers generally work from the plus-VAT figure, while private customers tend to look at the inc.-VAT one.
Car Subscriptions: does my monthly payment cover more than just the car itself?+
Yes — it folds in the vehicle rental, scheduled maintenance and servicing, the road fund licence, the manufacturer’s warranty and breakdown cover. Insurance and the cost of fuel or electricity sit outside that and are down to you to arrange.
How long am I allowed to keep hold of a subscription vehicle?+
As long as you like past the one-month minimum, though the strongest rates apply once you’re three months or more in. From there, you can keep the same car right up until it turns three years old, with nothing forcing an earlier swap.
How does flexible car leasing actually differ from a subscription?+
Both exist to get away from the rigid small print of a traditional fixed lease, and the main practical difference comes down to the minimum term each is built around. In practice, treat them as two variations on the same flexible idea rather than separate products.
Flexible Car Leasing: what's folded into the monthly price?+
Rental, maintenance and servicing, road tax, the manufacturer’s warranty and breakdown assistance are all part of that one payment. Insurance and fuel or electricity aren’t included, so you’ll need to arrange and pay for those separately.
Once a short-term car lease is running, can the term be stretched?+
Sometimes, if availability allows it — though a number of these agreements are fixed and can’t be lengthened at all. Better to be sure of the term you actually need before applying than to bank on extending it later.
What's built into a short-term car lease as standard?+
Vehicle rental, manufacturer breakdown assistance and road tax are all there from day one. Maintenance and servicing sit outside that as an optional extra if you'd like the added cover.
What sets long-term car hire apart from a subscription?+
It’s a conventional fixed lease running 2, 3 or 4 years, and the trade-off flips compared with a subscription: you sign up for longer and get the lowest monthly cost in return, rather than paying a little more to keep the freedom to leave early.
Is long-term hire arranged through a single finance provider?+
It isn’t — we shop your requirements across more than a dozen funders spanning the whole market, manufacturer-backed finance included, to land on the strongest deal for your circumstances.
Van Subscriptions: what's rolled into the monthly cost?+
Rental, maintenance and servicing, road tax, the manufacturer’s warranty and breakdown assistance are all wrapped into that one payment. Insurance and fuel or electricity are yours to sort and pay for.
Am I able to run more than one van on subscription at a time?+
You are — a good number of our business customers do exactly that, running several vans in parallel and flexing the number up or down as workload shifts.
Long-Term Van Hire: what term lengths are typically on offer?+
2, 3 and 4-year terms are the norm, giving you a length that lines up with how far ahead your business tends to plan.
Can one fleet agreement stretch across several different van types?+
It can — plenty of businesses combine panel vans, crew vans and larger commercials on a single agreement rather than managing separate ones for each type.
Short-Term Van Leases: which contract lengths can I pick from?+
These are offered as fixed terms of either 6 or 12 months.
My short-term van lease is nearly up — can it be pushed further?+
That depends on the specific agreement — some can be extended if availability allows, but fixed contracts won’t always stretch. Flag your required term with our team before you apply so there are no surprises later on.
Salary Sacrifice: is the scheme limited to electric cars only?+
It isn’t limited to EVs, though they’re the popular pick here, since their low Benefit-in-Kind tax rates push the overall saving up further.
Who handles the salary sacrifice scheme on the employer's side?+
A dedicated salary sacrifice platform partners with Cocoon Vehicles to run this for employers, covering both getting the scheme set up and the ongoing administration once it’s live.
Does expat leasing require a UK credit history?+
It doesn’t — removing that barrier is the whole point of the route. A standard credit check still applies, as FCA rules require of us, but having no UK credit history won’t rule you out by itself.
What do expat applicants need to have in place before applying?+
A UK residential address and proof of UK income, both of which are required. This route isn’t designed for brief UK visits or leisure hire.
Do start-ups need three years of trading accounts to apply?+
They don’t — this option exists precisely because newer businesses haven’t built up that trading history yet.
Could a start-up applicant be asked for a personal guarantee?+
Possibly, yes. Depending on the funder and the vehicle involved, some newer businesses are asked for a director’s personal guarantee as part of the application.
Overseas Directors: does my company still need UK registration?+
Yes — this route is for companies properly registered and trading within the UK, even where the director or directors themselves are based overseas.
What paperwork does an overseas-director application need?+
Usually company registration documents, director identification and evidence of UK trading activity. Our specialist partner will set out the exact list for your particular case.
Does my UK business need to be a subsidiary of an overseas parent?+
This route suits UK-registered businesses with an overseas parent company or significant overseas shareholders — get in touch and we’ll confirm whether your structure fits.
What documentation should I have ready for that route?+
Typically UK company registration documents, details of the group or shareholder structure, and evidence of UK trading. Our specialist partner confirms the exact requirements for your case.
Business Leasing: can a fleet mixing cars and vans sit on one account?+
Yes — we regularly support businesses running cars, vans and specialist vehicles together under a single account.
Do your business options stop at long-term contracts?+
They don’t — flexible subscriptions and short-term leases run alongside traditional long-term contract hire, so a fleet can flex as the business changes instead of being locked into one shape.
Non-Status Leasing: what does the term "non-status" actually describe?+
It simply refers to having little or no recorded UK credit history — nothing more than that. It isn’t another way of saying adverse or bad credit.
Would CCJs or poor credit still qualify me for non-status leasing?+
No — this route isn’t suitable if you have bad credit, County Court Judgments (CCJs), or other adverse credit history.
Not found what you're after?
Send us a message and someone on the team will walk you through anything this page didn’t cover.