From PCO Car Hire to Rent to Buy: Ilona’s journey with Otto Car

Ilona is a fantastic example of someone who started their private hire driving career with a simple goal in mind: more freedom and flexibility. Earlier this year, she became an Uber driver and joined Otto Car in search of a plan that could support this new way of working.

From renting to owning in less than a year

​Back in March, Ilona chose our PCO Car Hire plan to start her Uber journey. Here’s why this was a great plan for her to start:

• It was the perfect low-commitment, flexible way to get on the road and test the waters of her new career.
• With access to a wide range of Uber-ready cars, she could explore what worked best for her before committing to a longer-term investment.

Fast-forward to July 2025, and Ilona has taken the exciting step into our Rent to Buy plan. With the help of Uber’s Clean Air Fund and EV Assistance, she’s made the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) – in a way that’s affordable, sustainable, and supportive of her long-term goals.

Here’s everything Ilona wanted to share about her experience from renting to owning her PCO vehicle with Otto Car:

• Choosing the right PCO vehicle rental plan
• The smooth switch to an electric car
• Value, affordability, and progress with Otto Car
• Ilona’s advice for new PCO drivers

Choosing the PCO vehicle rental plan

“I’m very happy with my plan. The customer service is pleasant, easy to work with, and the plan is really nice. Otto Car is approachable, has a better range of vehicles, and the prices of course.”

Before becoming a PCO driver, Ilona worked as a manager in catering and hospitality. But as a single mother, she needed a career that gave her control over her schedule.

“Flexibility is the most important thing and what attracted me to the industry – being able to work around my children’s needs.”

She shared that the friendly team in the Hendon hub built her trust from the start – offering honest guidance with the best deal, clear pricing, and reassurance that there were no hidden fees.

“What makes me comfortable is the customer service and the knowledge of staff from the start.”

This support ensured Ilona always had the right plan at the right time, with extra peace of mind through our all-inclusive package – including insurance, breakdown cover, private hire vehicle licensing, MOTs, and more.

The smooth switch to an electric car

​Ilona has enjoyed driving a variety of cars, from the MG4 Trophy to a BMW. Now, she’s behind the wheel of a Kia Niro EV, and it has exceeded her expectations.

“Transferring to electric was very smooth as the power and performance of the Kia Niro EV are comparable to BMW, which was a nice surprise. There was no big change to my lifestyle, it was very easy.”

​Her open-minded approach made the transition seamless:

“I’m an open person. If it drives well, then it’s fine by me.”

For many drivers, moving to an EV feels like a big commitment. Thanks to Uber’s EV Assistance – offering up to £3,000 towards her vehicle (available until 30 September 2025 – eligibility and T&Cs apply) – Ilona found the transition simple and affordable. Combined with Otto Car’s Rent to Buy plan, it gave her the chance to go electric in the most cost-efficient way.

Discover how to claim your Uber EV Assistance and explore real stories from drivers who have made the switch with its support.

Value, affordability, and progress with Otto Car

​When asked about the biggest benefit of working with Otto Car, Ilona doesn’t hesitate:

“Affordability.”

She shares how she’s on the road to meeting her financial goals while moving closer to full car ownership. When asked if she felt Otto Car was good value for money, she responded honestly:

“I think so, yes, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”

While still fine-tuning her budgeting as a new driver, she recognises the importance of planning ahead:

“You just have to be scheduled and manage your own finances.”

Discover more about why drivers choose Otto Car.

Ilona’s advice for new PCO drivers

Her message to others thinking about joining Otto Car is clear:

“Don’t hesitate. Don’t think too long.”

For Ilona, Otto Car has been more than just a car provider – we’ve been a partner in her journey, supporting her from her first rental plan to the exciting reality of future ownership.

Whether you’re brand-new or an experienced driver, our experienced team will always lead with transparency and will make sure you’re on the road to success. And if you’re not sure whether ownership is right for you, try out our Accelerate Scheme. It gives PCO drivers the chance to test-drive renting a vehicle with flexible options before fully committing to owning your car.

Ready to start your journey?

Ilona found Otto Car to be the best PCO rental solution for her – and now she’s well on her way to owning her own EV.

​Discover how easy it is to own or rent a vehicle with Otto Car. Get free expert advice from our team and explore our wide range of cars available in London with our hassle-free Rent to Buy or PCO Car Hire plans.

Interested in learning more? Enquire about an EV that’s caught your eye or give us a call on 02039951316 – we’d love to help!

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