How much can you earn?
Daily rates depend heavily on your car's make, model, and location. A reliable family car in a major city earns £30–£50/day. A newer, more desirable car in London can command £60–£100/day. If your car sits unused for 3–4 days a week, that's a realistic £400–£600/month.
Earnings are higher in cities, near airports, and during events like festivals and holidays. Some owners time their listings around specific events and earn significantly more per day during peak demand.
Insurance and protection
Both major platforms provide insurance cover during approved rentals, which temporarily replaces your standard policy. This is important, do not assume your personal insurance covers peer-to-peer rentals without checking. Most standard UK car insurance policies explicitly exclude commercial use.
Check your personal policy terms before listing. Both Turo and Hiyacar are clear about how their protection works, read the terms carefully before accepting your first booking.
Tax on car rental income
Income from renting your car is taxable and should be declared on a Self Assessment tax return if it exceeds £1,000 in a tax year. You can deduct legitimate expenses including depreciation, cleaning, and a proportion of maintenance costs. See our full UK tax guide.
Is it actually worth it?
For people who genuinely don't use their car for 3+ days a week, yes, meaningfully so. The main downsides are wear and tear on your vehicle, the small administrative overhead of managing bookings and handovers, and the occasional difficult renter. Most owners report positive experiences but it's worth being realistic that you're lending a significant asset to strangers.
Works best if you have a desirable car, live in or near a city, and are comfortable with the insurance and protection arrangements. Less compelling if your car is older or you use it most days.