Hire
Hire before you buy
A fortnight in the category you think you want costs a fraction of a percent of the purchase and answers questions no forecourt visit can.
Why we recommend it
Almost every experienced owner we interview says the same thing: they would buy differently now. Length, bed layout and washroom type account for most of the regret, and all three are difficult to judge in a showroom where the vehicle is level, warm and stationary.
Hiring for ten to fourteen days exposes the things that matter: whether you can get past each other in the aisle, whether the bed is usable for two adults of different heights, whether the vehicle fits the roads you actually drive.
Several dealers and hire operators offer purchase credit against a prior hire. Ask before booking; the offer is rarely advertised and is usually worth £500 to £1,500.
Rates
What hire costs
Indicative daily rates for 2026, excluding insurance reduction and mileage excess.
| Vehicle | Low season | Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-berth campervan | £70 – £95 | £110 – £150 | Standard B licence. Fits most car parks. |
| Four-berth campervan | £85 – £120 | £130 – £190 | Elevating roof or rear bunk layouts. |
| Coachbuilt motorhome, 6m | £95 – £140 | £160 – £230 | Fixed bed and separate washroom. |
| Coachbuilt motorhome, 7m+ | £120 – £175 | £200 – £290 | Check length restrictions before booking sites. |
Agreement
Six things to check before you sign
Mileage allowance
Most agreements include 100 to 150 miles a day. Excess is charged at 25p to 45p a mile, which accumulates quickly on a touring route.
Insurance excess
Standard excess sits between £1,000 and £2,500. Reduction is usually offered daily; third-party annual policies are often cheaper for two or more hires.
Habitation deposit
Separate from the vehicle deposit and typically £250 to £750. Ask what it covers and how quickly it is returned.
Handover time
Allow ninety minutes. A rushed handover is the most common reason renters return equipment unused.
Cleaning and toilet
Emptying the cassette is nearly always the renter's responsibility. Fees for not doing so run to £75.
Cancellation terms
Read the weather and breakdown clauses. Very few policies refund a trip curtailed by mechanical failure without dispute.