You might think that with public transport being so good you might be wondering if you need a car in Singapore. With various work events and school runs (the price of international school buses is high) meant we’d spend more on taxis than the car rental or payments. So when I first moved here we bought a 12-year-old one (that spent a lot of time at the mechanics!) And I have since done short term rentals and longer car leasing.
I recently rented a car through Evergreen Rent A Car, a company with more than 50 years’ experience in the car industry. I rent an old one – now I am just happy to get from A to B without having to wait for taxis or get rained on. There are no MRT’s near me and buses are limited. Expat Living has been working with them for around 10 years and they have long-term rentals with flexible leasing packages as well as short-term rentals on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The longer rental term you choose, the better price you get.
Personal and corporate car leasing
It’s no surprise that leasing is popular around the world. There’s an ever-increasing number of new vehicles, models and variants launched onto the market, making the buying decision more complicated – even more so in Singapore with the complexities of the COE. Leasing and short term rental also provides you with flexibility to use your vehicle for a specific period of time and at a fraction of the cost, and with all kinds of services bundled in. You can then upgrade to a different vehicle at the end of the lease term. Buying a car, on the other hand, comes with lots of associated costs that may not be clear upfront. These can definitely create an impact during the period of ownership – the expense of repairs, the cost of accidents, those wasteful periods of downtime when the vehicle is off-road, the challenge of resale, and so on. With a lease, you pay a fixed monthly rental during the lease term and save on all the additional costs of ownership.
Plus, you get to enjoy a whole range of benefits, including the following:
8 reasons to lease a car in Singapore
#1 There’s a wide range of brand new or used vehicles to choose from.
#2 Payment plans are flexible and there’s minimal documentation.
#3 You get hassle-free maintenance and repair, including regular maintenance and grooming services with courtesy cars for you to use during this period.
#4 There’s unlimited mileage on rental.
#5 You get 24/7 Roadside Assistance, a 24-hour emergency hotline and an immediate replacement car if your rented vehicle breaks down or you have an accident.
#6 The rental agreement includes comprehensive insurance coverage, and no hassles with insurance and registration renewal.
#7 Unlike with buying, there’s no risk of a dip in resale value or increased maintenance expenses.
#8 At the end of the contract, you can replace your car with a different car of your choice.
Special offer: Drive a new car in Singapore and save! Evergreen currently has a special promotion price on new Toyotas. “With the New Year in mind, we’ve purchased brand-new cars for expats who are in Singapore or moving here. Minimum rental duration is two years, and we can also quote customers on a different range of cars matching their preference and budget. A brand new Toyota Vios 1.5A on a two-year lease starts at $1,500 per month.”
More on leasing and car rental in Singapore
#1 Lower cost, more flexibility
If the down payment to buy a car is too pricey, leasing one can be a good option. You’ll only need to pay a fixed monthly rental fee during your leasing period and you needn’t worry about other costs, whether it’s accident repairs or road tax. Many companies also offer flexible pricing plans so you won’t have to fork out loads of money at one go. Besides a lower upfront cost, you won’t need to worry about your car’s value depreciating over time.
#2 Choice and variety of cars for lease
Leasing companies in Singapore offer a wide range of cars to choose from. You’ll be spoilt for choice with many car brands and models, from continental to Japanese and Korean makes. Many also give you the option of renting a used vehicle, which can come in handy if you’ve a tighter budget. What’s great is that at the end of your lease, you can change the car to another model of your choice – great for those who love variety!
#3 All in one
Car leasing packages come with all the services and benefits that you need, including comprehensive insurance coverage, regular maintenance and repair, plus replacement vehicles if there’s an accident or repairs needed. There’s also 24/7 roadside assistance and a 24-hour emergency hotline to call if you need urgent help.
Car Rental in Singapore
With over 50 years’ experience in the business, Evergreen Rent A Car offers a wide variety of rental cars with unlimited mileage, maintenance, insurance, road tax and complimentary use in Malaysia. Contact them to find a car that suits your preference and budget.
#01-07 Amtech Building, 159 Sin Ming Road
6459 0990 | evergreenrentacar.com
For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section:
This article first appeared in the July 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
