How long-term hire works for business.

The basic structure

Long-term hire typically runs from three months upward, with terms of 12, 24, or 36 months being most common. The arrangement is more structured than flexi hire — the term is agreed upfront, alongside a mileage allowance and any maintenance terms. In return, the rate is generally more competitive because the supplier has better visibility over how long the vehicle will be in use.

What long-term hire suits well

It fits businesses with a relatively stable vehicle need — a service engineer who needs a van for the year, a delivery run that is expected to continue, a contractor covering a known project period. The more predictable the requirement, the more likely long-term hire is the right commercial route. Smaller businesses with single-vehicle requirements qualify as readily as larger operators.

Where flexi hire remains the better option

If the requirement is still moving — if workloads are seasonal, contract durations are uncertain, or the business is not yet confident about term length — flexi hire gives more room to adjust. The cost premium on flexi hire is the trade-off for that flexibility. Committing prematurely to a longer arrangement is usually more expensive than waiting until the picture is clearer.

How the introduction works

When you submit your requirement through UVH, we review it and connect you with a single independent supplier suited to a longer-term arrangement in your area. You deal directly with that supplier from the point of introduction. There is no broker in the arrangement — the contract is between you and the supplier.