Volkswagen Financial Services UK is introducing a new short-term rental service designed to offer a clear pricing and simple process and easy pick-ups from showrooms.

The Rent-A-Car service includes a selection of popular VW and Škoda brands

The Rent-a-Car service is already offered in Germany and Spain, and launches in the UK in Volkswagen and Skoda locations with a range of vehicles from both brands. The initial launch phase sees three Volkswagen retailers and two Škoda retailers operate the Rent-a-Car service from their existing showrooms with more Volkswagen Group locations to join the scheme this year.

Customers can book vehicles from either brand online, specifying dates and even paying online with paperless vehicle check-in and out. Vehicles will not be substituted with another make and model and are under eight months old.

The service will also offer a low excess as standard and includes six-point photography of the vehicle to alleviate potential concerns in relation to vehicle damage charges.

The Rent-a-Car scheme launches following indepth customer research which identified that a significant number of short-term car rental customers dislike collection locations, ‘hidden’ costs; such as unclear damage, fuel and excess mileage charges and high-pressure sales techniques at the collection desk. This new service intends to address those concerns.

Mark Forton, director of mobility services at VWFS UK, said: “As we see customers moving from ownership to usership we are very excited to launch our first mobility offering to the UK market.”