Is Car Subscription the Best Way to get a Second Car?

The Benefits of Subscribing instead of Buying a Second Car

The UK is home to just over 40 million cars, meaning an average of 1.24 cars per household. But why do so many homes have more than one car? And do you always need a second vehicle all year round?

Excluding car collectors and enthusiasts, most people buy a second car for the same reasons as they bought their first, someone at home needs a car for a specific reason. Getting a second car is essential to some households for work or school for example, but it can be expensive if you don't always need two or more cars.

What is a car subscription?

A car subscription works like any other subscription, you choose the vehicle, the mileage and the length of the subscription and agree to make a monthly payment 

Even better, that monthly payment includes the majority of the admin and additional costs associated with owning a car, except the cost of fuel or insurance. A car subscription includes road tax, servicing, MOTs and roadside assistance, and you can even get fully comprehensive insurance quote through Wagonex too. You can get a car for as long as you need it, from just one month up to two years, with the option to extend the subscription or swap vehicles at the end if you want to. Subscribing to a car is more flexible than finance or leasing because of the shorter contract length.

How does owning two or more cars impact the environment? 

Owning two cars in the UK can have various environmental impacts, which are important to consider in the context of sustainability and climate change. Here are a few key points regarding the environmental implications of owning two cars:

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Cars are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2). Owning two cars means that there are more vehicles on the road emitting CO2, contributing to climate change. Increased emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as petrol or diesel, can exacerbate air pollution and have detrimental effects on both local and global air quality.

2. Increased Energy Consumption: Owning multiple cars means using more energy for fueling and maintaining the vehicles. The production and distribution of fuel require significant energy inputs, leading to increased energy consumption and a higher carbon footprint. Moreover, the manufacturing process of cars requires substantial amounts of energy and resources, contributing to environmental degradation.

3. Traffic Congestion: Owning two cars can contribute to traffic congestion, particularly in urban areas. Congestion not only leads to increased travel times and frustration but also results in higher fuel consumption and emissions due to idling vehicles. Congestion can also have negative impacts on air quality, public health, and overall quality of life.

4. Alternatives: Owning multiple cars can discourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as public transit, cycling, or walking. These alternatives generally have lower environmental impacts and contribute to reduced congestion and improved air quality.

To mitigate the environmental impact of owning two cars, you could consider the following:

• Opt for more fuel-efficient and lower-emission vehicles, such as electric or hybrid cars - we have a wide range of electric vehicles that you can try before committing to a longer term deal.
• Encourage carpooling or ride-sharing with family, friends, or colleagues to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
• Prioritise the use of public transportation, cycling, or walking for shorter trips or when feasible.
• Explore subscription for your second car or third car if you find that you only need two cars in the winter months or during the school holidays for example.

We know that often, multiple cars are needed to keep up with busy lives and commitments, but if you feel like making conscious choices and adopting sustainable transportation practices is something that is could be feasible subscription is a great way to find out if you need multiple cars in your household all year round.

What are the benefits of car subscription?

• Get a car without the long-term commitment
• Have most the running costs of car ownership covered - just add fuel and insurance. 
• Pick a subscription length to suit your needs
• Swap your cars at the end of your subscription to try different makes and models or switch petrol to electric 
• An online journey with delivery straight to your door

With Wagonex, you aren’t locked into a long-term arrangement. The flexibility of subscription means you can also ensure your car continually suits your needs should they change. So, if you’re looking for a big SUV for a family holiday or a small city car for the commute you have the freedom to swap at the end of your selected subscription length.

In practical terms, a car subscription means the upfront costs of owning and running a second car are significantly reduced. Don’t believe us? We’ve even done a handy price comparison with buying a car to show you how much you’ll save.

Buying a second car comes with all the same paperwork as buying your first car. You could end up getting the car on a lease agreement, which may lead to balloon payments, and is an expensive way of buying a car you may not need all the time. Even if you buy it in full upfront, it’s still a large expense. Subscription gets rid of all that. 

You pay a monthly sum and for your selected subscription length and you can stop subscribing at the end to switch car, provider or send your car back if you no longer need it. It’s going to be more expensive to go for a short term contract but still a whole lot less expensive than buying, leasing or financing a vehicle. 

How long can I keep the car?

One of the best things about subscribing to Wagonex for your second car is the flexibility. You can have the second car for as long as you need it between one month and two years. You don’t have to worry about trying to offload a second car when you’ve finished with it – you just give it back!

Another benefit of subscription is that you can use it to try out a car before committing to buying it. Maybe you’ve been thinking of switching to an electric vehicle or a hybrid. Maybe you’ve got your eye on a nippy sports car for when the kids have left home.

Whatever kind of car you might want, our subscription service gives you plenty of time to try it out. Then, if it isn’t the right fit, you can easily switch to a different one with none of the hassle of trying to sell it on. If you do like it, you can give it back to us and commit to buying it.

Looking for a second car? Browse our range of subscription vehicles here.