Updated: 23rd March 2026 (Offers and availability may change)
Most people just accept the cost of owning a car… until they stop and look at what they’re actually paying.
Insurance, tax, fuel, servicing, repairs, parking. You can easily spend thousands a year before you’ve even driven anywhere. And a lot of the time, the car just sits there.
That’s where services like Enterprise Car Club come in.
Instead of owning a car, you just use one when you need it. No long-term costs, no maintenance, no commitment. On the surface, it sounds like an easy win. But once you look closer, the question becomes more important:
Is Enterprise Car Club actually worth it, or does it just shift the cost somewhere else?
Quick Verdict
Enterprise Car Club is worth it if you only need a car occasionally and want to avoid the ongoing cost of owning one.
If you use a car regularly or rely on it for longer journeys, the costs can add up quickly and it often stops being good value.
If you’re only using a car now and then, it’s worth checking what’s available near you to see how it compares.
Enterprise Car Club – On-Demand Car Hire
No insurance, servicing or long-term costs – just pay when you actually use it.
Verdict: Best for occasional drivers, less suited to regular use
Best for: Occasional drivers, city living, second-car replacement
What works well
- Easy to book and unlock cars through the app
- No insurance, servicing or MOT to deal with
- Ideal for short trips and occasional use
- Available 24/7
What to be aware of
- Mileage charges can increase the real cost
- Some users report disputes over damage or fees
- Vehicle condition and availability vary by area
- Not suited to frequent use
Bottom line:
Works well when you only need a car now and then, but less appealing the more you rely on it.
What It’s Like to Actually Use
Once you’re set up, using Enterprise Car Club is straightforward. You open the app, find a nearby car, book it, walk to it and unlock it with your phone. When you’re done, you return it to the same spot.
There’s no rental desk, no waiting around and no paperwork each time. If there’s a car nearby, you can usually be driving within minutes.
That convenience is a big part of the appeal. It removes a lot of the friction you get with traditional car hire.
How Much It Really Costs
The pricing looks simple, but it’s the real-world cost that matters.
You pay a small membership fee to join. After that, every booking is made up of two parts: how long you have the car and how far you drive.
Typical costs:
- around £8–£9 per hour
- around £49–£59 per day
- around 25p per mile (varies by vehicle type)
Exact pricing varies by location and vehicle, but the structure stays the same.
What changes the comparison is what’s included. Fuel (via mileage charges), insurance, servicing, MOT and breakdown cover are all part of the package.
So instead of fixed costs sitting in the background, everything is tied directly to how much you use the car.
To put that into context, owning a car in the UK can easily cost £200–£400+ per month once you factor in insurance, tax, maintenance and depreciation. For comparison, many UK drivers spend thousands a year on a car they don’t use daily.
What actually makes or breaks the value
- Occasional use → good value
- Frequent use → gets expensive quickly
- Short trips → works well
- Long journeys → mileage adds up
The less you use it, the more sense it makes
A Simple Example
If you only need a car once or twice a month for a few hours, it can work out much cheaper than owning one. You’re not paying insurance, tax or maintenance all year round for something you barely use.
If you start using it multiple times a week, especially for full days or longer trips, the costs stack up quickly. At that point, you’re paying repeatedly for access instead of just owning a car outright.
Quick reality check
- Using it once or twice a month → often cheaper than owning
- Using it weekly → usually not
Owning a Car vs Enterprise Car Club
| Owning a Car | Enterprise Car Club |
|---|---|
| Pay all year | Pay when you use it |
| Insurance separate | Included |
| Repairs & servicing | Included |
| Fixed monthly cost | Usage-based |
| Always available | Depends on location |
What Real Users Say
Looking at recent customer feedback, a clear pattern comes through.
People who have a good experience tend to highlight how easy the service is to use and how convenient it is to have a car nearby without owning one. For occasional trips, that simplicity is exactly what they’re looking for, and for many, it does the job well.
Where people run into issues, it’s usually around the same areas. Things like damage disputes, admin charges or vehicle condition come up, along with availability depending on location. These aren’t unique to Enterprise Car Club, but they’re worth being aware of before you rely on it.
Overall, it tends to work best when you treat it as a flexible, occasional-use option rather than something you depend on all the time. Taking a few simple precautions, like checking the car properly and understanding how charges are applied, can help you avoid most of the common problems.
Who This Actually Works For
If you mostly get around without a car but occasionally need one for things like shopping, visiting family or getting somewhere awkward, this is exactly the kind of situation Enterprise Car Club is designed for.
If you’re already paying for a car that sits unused most of the week, this is where it can make the most sense.
If that sounds like your situation, check what’s available near you and see what a typical trip would cost. That’s usually where it works best.
It’s much less useful if you commute by car, drive long distances regularly or need guaranteed access at short notice.
How It Compares to Other Options
Enterprise Car Club isn’t the only option if you’re trying to avoid owning a car.
Some people look at alternatives like Co-wheels or traditional car hire depending on how often they need a vehicle. Car clubs like Co-wheels work in a similar way, with local vehicles and pay-as-you-go access, while standard rental often makes more sense for longer trips or planned journeys.
The right option depends less on the brand and more on how often you actually need a car, and what is available in your area.
Additional Questions People Ask
Is Enterprise Car Club cheaper than renting a car?
For short trips, it often is. For full-day or multi-day use, traditional car hire can work out cheaper, especially if you’re travelling longer distances.
Are there any hidden costs?
The main extra cost to be aware of is the mileage charge, which is added on top of your booking time. There can also be admin fees for things like parking fines or late returns.
What happens if you damage the car?
You may be charged up to the excess amount, which can be around £1,000 or more depending on the vehicle. That’s why many users take photos before and after each trip.
Is Enterprise Car Club reliable?
For many users it works smoothly, especially in areas with good availability. However, some people report issues with vehicle condition, availability or charges, so it’s worth checking what coverage is like near you.
Do you have to return the car to the same location?
Yes. Enterprise Car Club works on a return-to-same-location basis, so you can’t usually drop the car off somewhere else.
Is it easy to cancel your membership?
Cancellation is possible, but some users report that it’s not as straightforward as signing up. It’s worth checking the latest process before joining.
So, is Enterprise Car Club worth it?
Enterprise Car Club is worth it if you only need a car now and then. The more you rely on it, the less sense it makes. If you only need a car occasionally, it’s usually worth it. If you need one regularly, it usually isn’t.
You don’t need to commit to anything long term, so it’s easy to try it and see how it works for you.
If this sounds like your situation, check what’s available near you and price up a typical trip. That usually makes the answer obvious very quickly.
