Ultimate Guide: What is the best car for Uber driving in London?

If you are thinking about how to become a private hire driver, you probably want to know what is the best car for Uber driving. This post will help you choose a perfect partner in a few simple steps.

Some drivers go for the cheapest option, while others are tempted by a luxury model. In most cases, these are mistakes. One is more hassle than it’s worth and the other puts pressure on your profits.

Newcomers to the private hire game often want to use the car they already own. This sounds sensible, as there is no need for another PCO car, so let’s quickly explore if the idea works…

Can I use my current car for Uber driving?

The first issue is if the car meets Uber’s vehicle requirements in the UK. Thankfully, these are simple.

• Four-door car or minivan
• Good condition with no cosmetic damage
• No commercial branding
• Licensed to carry 4 passengers (min)
• Satisfies local licensing authority regulations

Note that you must have a suitable private hire licence for the vehicle as well as one for the driver.

In London, these are handled by TfL (Transport for London) and often called PCO licences. We have a guide to TfL driver licensing and another on how to become an Uber driver. Right now, let’s talk cars.

Since 2023, TfL has only given new licences to Zero Emission Compliant (ZEC) models. Put simply, this means a fully electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

A car licensed for PCO work in London under the old rules can run for ten years. However, unless your current car previously held a TfL private hire licence, it must now be a ZEC model.

Even if you own a suitable vehicle, be realistic about wear-and-tear. Using a family car for a side-hustle is one thing. But if you do work every day, it’s smarter to have a dedicated vehicle.

Did you know?

Outside London, vehicle licensing rules are more flexible. Our guide on how to become an Uber driver in Manchester applies to the whole of England and Wales.

Why an EV makes sense in London

As you cannot get a new private hire vehicle licence (PHVL) in London with a petrol or diesel car, you will need a different plan. You could hunt for an old PCO car with some life in it, but that’s a risk.

It’s much wiser to try an EV. And there are several reasons why a fully electric car will serve you well. First, you don’t currently pay Congestion Charge (£15 per day) or the ULEZ (£12.50 per day).

Better still, the running costs of an electric car are lower than a non-EV, as it has less moving parts. Hybrids (of any type) are not the answer here.

The reality is that an EV is the only logical option in 2024 because both TfL and Uber are determined to make it so. On the upside, there are perks.

EV drivers earn 10% more via the Uber Green tariff and enjoy dedicated pick-up zones at airports. There is also no guarantee that non-EVs (even plug-in hybrids) will not be banned inside London.

To see if going electric makes sense for you, try our EV Savings Tool. It only takes two minutes.

Did you know?

Eligible drivers save £5k on an electric car with the Uber EV Assistance programme. Hurry, because you have up till 30 November 2024 to claim the full £5k. After this, the assistance will greatly reduce.

Choose your size

Picking the size of a PCO car is about personal priorities – and the starting point is your body shape. Most private hire drivers want plenty of space, both for themselves and their passengers.

Thankfully, Uber charges riders 20% more for extra legroom and then pays the driver more. The tariff is called Uber Comfort and it’s a nice bonus if your PCO car is eligible. See our guide here.

A bigger car doesn't always mean a high price. For instance, the popular MG5 is an estate model with a massive boot that’s super affordable. There are also benefits to more compact PCO cars like the VW ID.3 Life or MG4. Both are easy to park and ideal for London streets.

Even so, a larger private hire car can squeeze in more luggage for airport runs which, again, makes extra cash.

Many PCO drivers want a 7-seater car to qualify for the Uber XL tariff. Unfortunately, there are not (currently) any EVs of this size suitable for the job. The compromises of range and price are too great.

Watch this space, as the Otto Team keeps a close eye on the 7-seater market. Never say never.

Did you know?

Taller Uber drivers love SUV models, such as the excellent Toyota bZ4X Pure or the various Skoda Enyaq models. These provide great headroom and yet are still able to zip through traffic.

Consider the range

The concern for EV drivers is range. In reality, charging an electric car is trickier than refuelling and so having plenty of range helps. Less time spent charging means more hours of earning money.

Extra range means a bigger battery, which takes longer to charge. It also generally adds to the cost of a PCO car. Some drivers invest for this peace of mind but it’s easy to overspend due to ‘range anxiety’.

Ask yourself this: how often are you willing to charge? If it’s most days, then 280 miles of range is probably enough.

Many PCO cars are now rated at well over 300 miles for mixed driving conditions by the WLTP body. For instance, the Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition Suite delivers 348 miles. For context, that’s longer than the road journey from London to Amsterdam.

As with size, you don’t need to spend big to get massive range. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium is rated at 315 miles and available from just £217/week. Superb value.

If you are still nervous, check out our tips on how to boost EV range as an Uber driver.

Did you know?

If your home has a driveway, consider a home charger. It’s way cheaper and easier than public ones.

Pick a spec level

The spec includes everything from the seat fabrics to the electronic gadgets. This might feel like a treat but it can save you money.

For instance, a heated steering wheel or seats will reduce use of the cabin aircon, which will boost range – as does having a heat pump. Parking aids or lane-assist tech can also prevent scrapes which, again, protects your pocket.

Smarter tech makes Uber driving easier – and more comfortable too. Never forget that happy riders give bigger tips as well as higher ratings.

Are you happy with the basics or willing to pay for extra toys? Think sensibly about if better spec justifies extra cost but also remember that a PCO car is your office. So you should enjoy being in it.

The Otto Team pays careful attention to this when selecting cars. Even so, some have sensational specs such as the Nissan Ariya e-Force 87kwh Advance. It has everything from blind-spot interventions to all-wheel drive for icy roads (now available to pre-order from March 2025).

Think about style

The trickiest part of choosing a PCO car is how it looks. And more importantly, how it makes you feel.

Let’s consider how you want others to see you while driving. Is it important to impress people, or would you be happy in a PCO car that looks acceptable so long as it’s professional?

This is partly about the physical style of the car but also its badge. Some drivers simply desire to be in a Tesla Model 3 rather than a practical all-rounder such as the ever popular Kia Niro EV 2.

And that’s fine, so long as you realise that this won’t necessarily help you make extra money. Even so, it would be a boring world if everyone had the same motivations.

There are also elegant PCO cars without the fancy brand – or the chunky price. Once again, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium is a fine example.

Everyone loves a sexy car. Yet smart drivers don’t pay more than they can afford due to ego.

Decide your budget

Now you are familiar with the main issues in choosing a PCO car, it’s time to think about a budget.

The money you make is only what’s left after you deduct all costs (including the car) from your weekly earnings. Ultimately, the best car for Uber driving is the one that helps you make a living.

Yes, there’s value in paying extra cash for a car that’s eligible for Uber Comfort and Uber Green. However, getting one for the Uber Exec or Lux tariffs means high costs without consistent earnings to cover them. Be careful.

About Otto Car

Choosing a car can feel complex but you are not alone. Otto Car is London’s largest community of private hire drivers. We offer easy access to excellent PCO cars with no credit checks.

Be part of something big. Join the family.

The road to ownership

There are three ways to get a PCO car. First, you can buy it yourself, which means you are responsible for all the running costs. You also have to organise everything. Remember: time is money.

Another option is rental, often known as PCO Car Hire. This is super flexible and a great opportunity to try different cars. As with Disney films, you must kiss a few frogs to find your princess.

However, you will always pay rent and the choice of cars is limited to older or less popular models.

The sensible route for most drivers is Rent 2 Buy + which is a fully inclusive ownership plan (including insurance & 8 weeks payment break per year).

Simply rent the car for the agreed period – and after that, it’s yours to keep. This unlocks the widest choice of PCO cars and new drivers only need one month experience to be eligible for most models.

New vs Used

If you want to own but worry about the length of a plan, or cannot find the right car, try a used deal.

Unlike buying old cars on the open market, where you can easily get stuck with a lemon, Otto Car’s approved used models have been fully tested. You also have all the benefits of an inclusive package and vehicle licensing support. Double win.

This is a shorter sprint, with all of the headaches taken away.

Did you know?

Drivers with an unwanted car can get instant cash, plus a £250 voucher towards their next one with our part exchange scheme.

What is the best car for Uber driving?

As you can probably tell by now, there is no wrong or right answer. In truth, the best car for Uber driving is the one that suits your needs.

What matters is that you don’t overstretch and then struggle to earn a living. Or scrimp so much that your life becomes a nightmare, due to poor range or reliability.

Taking the next step

Get free expert advice from the Otto Team – and see the actual cars at our five London hubs.

Whether you prefer a flexible rental or an inclusive ownership plan, we’ve got you.

Pop into any Otto Car hub for a chat or say hello on 020 8740 7444.