Pros and Cons of Long Term and Short Term Vehicle Rental

It goes without saying that it’s much easier to enjoy your travels when you can get around easily. That’s why Singapore’s public transport system is touted as one of the best in the world, thanks to cutting-edge electronic services.

While it’s fairly convenient to use the public transport system, it doesn’t change the fact that having a vehicle which you can drive around the island is far more convenient than waiting for the MRT or bus.

However, the cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle in Singapore may just cause you to dismiss the idea of owning one. So, your other option is vehicle rentals, be it for the short term or long term, depending on what you need the vehicle for – personal use or commercial use.

In this article, we discuss the available vehicle rental options along with the pros and cons of short term and long term vehicle rental in Singapore.

What are the available vehicle rental options?

Different vehicle rental companies offer different vehicle rental options to meet your needs and requirements. Generally, there are two types of vehicle rentals – short-term and long-term.

Short-term vehicle rental

Whether you’re looking to hire a passenger van for a day or two, or even a lorry, short-term vehicle rental is quite common in Singapore. That’s because this rental option is typically a great solution for personal and commercial users who need the vehicle for travel purposes or short-term use (typically up to a month).

Long-term vehicle rental

Different from short-term vehicle rental, this rental option is generally preferred by commercial users who look to rent the vehicle as part of their business logistics. The rental period can range from months to years. In some cases, drivers may opt for long-term vehicle rental if they need a car for more than 30 days.

Short-term vs Long-term vehicle rental

With the rising cost of vehicle ownership in Singapore, renting a car may just be worth the money if you don’t need to drive every day. That said, let’s discover the pros and cons of short-term and long-term vehicle rentals.

Pros of short-term vehicle rental

While you have the option of taking public transportation in Singapore, there are times when it may be inconvenient if you need to get to a specific location and it doesn’t operate 24 hours. On top of that, public transport can take you a long time to reach your destination.

With a short-term vehicle rental, you get to enjoy the convenience and luxury of your vehicle at any time. Let’s say you’re exploring the island for a day or two. It’s much easier to travel around using a rented vehicle than waiting for public transport. Besides, it’s simpler and cheaper to rent than negotiating for a long-term vehicle rental.

Cons of short-term vehicle rental

Although short-term vehicle rental is cheaper, you may be charged for damage that you didn’t cause. One way to avoid that is to take photos and videos before you drive off as proof that you didn’t cause any of the damages.

Another disadvantage of short-term car rental is the poor selection of cars to choose from. Unless you book your rental in advance, you may be stuck with the remaining vehicle your rental company has to offer. This may be a nuisance and even unsafe if you’re driving a vehicle you’re not familiar with.

Pros of long-term vehicle rental

As an alternative to short-term vehicle rental, long-term vehicle rental allows you to enjoy similar convenience and luxury of your rented vehicle for longer periods. Not only that, but you also get to be anywhere you want at any time you want.

While long-term vehicle rental may seem expensive, you can actually save more on your rental costs because vehicle rental companies tend to offer discounts from time to time.

Another benefit of long-term vehicle rental is freedom because once you sign the monthly agreement, you can use the vehicle right away, with no return or contract renewal required. You also have a wider variety of cars to choose from.

Cons of long-term vehicle rental

The cons of long-term vehicle rental are similar to short-term vehicle rental, which is having to pay for damage or defects you didn’t cause. To avoid this, make sure you check the car before driving off and alert the rental company about any defects or damages you found.

If you need a vehicle to drive immediately, long-term vehicle rental may not be the right option because it typically takes more time to negotiate the rental terms and conditions. Some rental companies may charge extra if you rent their vehicle without a proper rental plan.

Additionally, you’re not allowed to modify the car to your liking as compared to modifying your own car. Vehicle rental companies may have rules that dictate what you can and can’t do with your rented vehicle because the car must be returned in the same condition it was borrowed in.

When choosing between short-term and long-term vehicle rental, make your decision depending on what you need the vehicle for and how long you need to use it. Because ultimately this affects the vehicle rental cost.

If you’re looking for a short-term or long-term vehicle rental in Singapore, consider Edmund Vehicle Rental as it’s one of the few rental companies that offer a range of commercial vehicle rental. Contact us at (65) 6250 3339 or email enquiries@edmundvehiclerental.com.sg to rent one today!