UVHUnified Vehicle Hire

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about how Unified Vehicle Hire works, who it is for, and how it differs from a broker or comparison site.

  • Direct answers — no conversion copy or filler
  • Covers eligibility, process, vehicles, and fleet
  • Includes sole trader and adverse credit questions
One enquiry
Submit once, we route it for you
One supplier
A single relevant introduction
Direct deal
You agree terms with the supplier
No broker fees
UVH charges no broker margin

About the service

No. We are an introduction service. We review your enquiry, introduce you to one suitable independent supplier, and step back. Your hire agreement is direct with the supplier — not with us.
Nothing. There is no charge for businesses to submit an enquiry or receive an introduction. Suppliers pay a commission on successful introductions — this does not affect the price you are quoted.
No. We introduce you to one supplier — the one best placed to support your specific requirement. We do not blast your details across a network of operators.
Let us know and we can look at alternative options. There is no obligation to proceed with the first introduction.

Eligibility and requirements

Yes. We work with sole traders and start-ups. Many of our supplier partners specifically have appetite for sole trader and new business accounts. A UTR number, driving licence, and bank statements are typically what is needed.
This varies by supplier. Some offer 28-day rolling hire, others require a longer commitment. We review based on your stated hire length so you are only introduced to suppliers who can accommodate it.
We cover vans, cars, specialist vehicles (refrigerated, Luton, welfare units), and fleet requirements. If you have a specific vehicle need, include it in your enquiry and we will do our best to match accordingly.

The introduction process

We look at four things: your location, your vehicle type, your hire duration, and your business profile. The closest suitable independent operator to your operating base is always the starting point. We then check whether their fleet, customer criteria, and availability actually fit your requirement before making any introduction. If they don't, we look at the next best option rather than a poor fit.
Most enquiries are reviewed and an introduction made within one working day. More complex requirements — specialist vehicles, fleet enquiries, or locations where coverage is thinner — may take slightly longer. We don't send automated responses. You hear from us when we have something useful to say.
It means we either haven't found a strong fit yet, or the enquiry needs more information. We'll follow up with you rather than going silent. If we genuinely can't place your requirement, we'll tell you that directly rather than leaving you waiting.

Hire types and vehicles

Flexi hire runs on rolling 28-day terms — you can return the vehicle when your requirement changes without a long-term commitment. Contract hire is a fixed arrangement, typically 24 to 48 months, with set monthly costs. The right choice depends on how certain your vehicle requirement is. If you're unsure, tell us in your enquiry and we'll factor it into the supplier selection.
Yes, but availability depends on location and supplier. Include the specific vehicle type in your enquiry. We only introduce you to a supplier if they actually hold the right stock — we won't introduce you to a general hire operator and hope they can help.
Submit your enquiry and flag that it's urgent. We prioritise same-day review for time-critical requirements. How quickly the supplier can get a vehicle to you depends on their availability — we can't guarantee turnaround times, but we'll be upfront about what's realistic for your location and vehicle type.

For sole traders and new businesses

Many of the independent operators in our network specifically work with new and early-stage businesses. A UTR number, driving licence, and three months of bank statements is typically what's needed to get started. We'll only introduce you to suppliers who have genuine appetite for sole trader accounts — not operators who will run a credit check and decline you.
Not always at the start. Requirements vary by supplier. Some accept personal accounts for sole traders; others require a business account once a hire arrangement is established. We'll be clear about what the supplier needs before the introduction is made.
Adverse credit makes placement harder but doesn't automatically mean we can't help. Some suppliers are more flexible than others. Be upfront in your enquiry — it helps us identify who is actually in a position to take you on rather than wasting your time with an introduction that won't progress.

For businesses with fleet requirements

Yes. Include the number of vehicles and whether you need them simultaneously or over time. Fleet requirements are introduced to suppliers who run proper business accounts and have the fleet depth to support multi-vehicle arrangements. Commission on fleet introductions is higher, which means we take these enquiries seriously.
We have established supplier connections across all major UK regions — England, Wales, and Scotland. Some rural and remote areas have thinner coverage. If you're outside a major commercial area, include your postcode in the enquiry and we'll tell you what's available.

Didn't find your answer?

Submit your requirement directly. We review every enquiry and respond with a suitable supplier introduction or a clear explanation of what we need from you to progress it.