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Minibus and MPV hire
There may be times when the standard 5 seats in a car are just not enough. In these instances, you may need to look at hiring a minibus or a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), also referred to as a minivan (US) or people carrier.
Whilst a common sight on the roads these days, the MPV didn’t hit our roads till the early eighties although it really had its heyday during the nineties when models like the Vauxhall Zafira and Renault Espace became household names and larger families jumped for joy at being able to easily travel in one car. That’s because, before the Espace hit the production line in 1984, the idea of seven people travelling in comfort together in the same car, each with their own seat, was unthinkable. There was never a doubt the Espace, along with its American equivalent the Chrysler’s Dodge Caravan (the minivan as referred to across the Atlantic) would be a roaring success, and these paved the way for the thriving MPV market.
These days there are many varieties of MPV available and lots of different sizes, makes and models around. These vehicles range from small or compact MPVs to large MPVs up to minibuses of 12 seats or more. If you’re thinking about hiring a minibus or MPV for any occasion, then here’s some information that may help you make a decision as to which vehicle may suit your needs best.
Hiring a compact or mini MPV from Nationwide Hire
Mini or compact MPVs tend to be vehicles that have the ability to carry an extra two passengers when needed, although it’s worth noting that the two extra rear seats are generally only suitable for children. At Nationwide we have compact MPVs like the Vauxhall Zafira 5+2 available. Ideal for transporting children to parties or sports events, the boot size does shrink to that of a small city car with all seven seats in place, so if you plan on using cars like the Zafira with a full set of passengers for travelling then a roof box might be essential.
Hire of a Vauxhall Zafira or similar starts from £255.02* ex VAT for a two-day period including delivery and collection. You can then top up your hire with extras such as child car seats, sat-nav hire and European insurance cover if you are taking the vehicle abroad. Any additional drivers over 25 can be added to your hire for £24 ex VAT. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers – 5 - 7
Drive – Manual
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 35 - 45
Towing capacity – 1500kg
An example of a compact MPV available for hire though Nationwide Hire
Hire a Ford Galaxy 7 seater or similar from Nationwide Hire
Hiring a small MPV from Nationwide Hire
Don’t be put you off by the word ‘small’. These cars are not only practical but spacious and comfortable too. They’re much larger than their hatchback counterparts with roomy boots and many have flexible interiors where the seats can be configured, folded, flipped and stowed, depending on your passengers and necessity. At Nationwide Hire we have small MPVs like the Ford Galaxy available which is one of the biggest and most practical MPVs on the market. Unlike some of the alternatives, it has seven full-sized seats and space for storage and carrying items as well as your passengers.
Hire of a Ford Galaxy 7-seater or similar starts from £337.46* ex VAT for a two-day period including delivery and collection. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers –7
Drive – Manual
Features – Aircon (A/C)
External dimensions (LWH) – 4.82m x 1.90m x 1.80m
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 35 - 45
Towing capacity – 1800kg
Hiring a large MPV from Nationwide Hire
Some of the larger MPVs available are more akin to converted vans than their smaller namesakes with basically their cargo area replaced with seating instead. These tend to carry up to 9 passengers and are significantly more spacious inside offering more legroom and storage than the smaller 7-seater versions.
The main advantage of a van derived MPV is the versatility it provides. Choices of side and rear sliding doors improve accessibility and many models allow you to fold down the rear seats, and in some cases even remove them, to enable usage as you would do with a standard van. This is ideal for transporting large items such as furniture along with the added benefit of being a good choice for those with disabled passengers as there is more than enough room for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
At Nationwide Hire we have larger MPVs like the Volkswagen Shuttle available for hire, which is perfect for safely transporting people to and from wherever you need to go. For seating up to nine passengers, this type of vehicle is perfect if you don’t need all the room a minibus offers. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers –9
Drive – Manual and Automatic transmission available
Features – Aircon (A/C)
External dimensions (LWH) – 5.30m x 1.90m x 1.90m
Payload – 850kg
Volume (cubic m) – 6.5
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 30 - 45
Hire a 9-seater vehicle with Nationwide Hire
Hiring a minibus from Nationwide Hire
If you’re planning an event or trip that requires transport for a larger group of people then Minibus hire might be just the thing for you. Perfect for schools, clubs and businesses alike, they are affordable and a great alternative to public transport, providing a more convenient way to transport people from A to B without the mass coordination buses, trains and taxis require.
A minibus is defined as a vehicle which is able to carry between 9 and 17 people. Most regulations relating to minibuses apply to vehicles of this size – anything smaller falls into the MPV category. To drive a minibus, you generally need to have a D1 category licence. If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you'll automatically have category D1 on your licence. However, if you passed your test after this date, you will need to apply to have D1 added to your licence. It’s worth mentioning, however, that even if you passed your test after this date, you may still be able to drive without a D1 category on your licence. To do this you would need to:
• be at least 21 years old
• have held a full licence for at least 2 years
• not tow a trailer
• be driving on a voluntary basis (not for profit)
• be driving a vehicle not exceeding a weight of 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes if fitted with a passenger lift or ramp)
If you are wanting to hire a minibus and charge the passengers or you do not meet all the terms of the exemption, you can find out more about applying for the relevant licences and permits through DVLA or by going online at gov.uk and reading about adding higher categories to your current driving licence.
At Nationwide Hire we have 12, 15 and 17-seater minibuses available for hire. You will need to be 25 years of age and have a D1 category on your driving licence or relevant permits to hire through us.
Hire a Ford Minibus 12-seater or similar
The Ford Transit 12-seater minibus is great for not only space but also comfort. Spacious and reliable it’s the perfect choice for times when you need to transport a group as well as other items. Hire of a Ford Minibus 12-seater or similar starts from £224.99* ex VAT for a one-day rental including delivery and collection. Any additional drivers over 25 can be added to your hire for £12 ex VAT if they have the relevant licence. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers –12
Drive – Manual
Features – All age passenger seatbelts
Seating plan from front – 3, 2, 3, 4
Payload – 938kg
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 30 – 45
Hire a Ford Transit 15 seater minibus or similar from Nationwide Hire
Hire a Ford Minibus 15-seater or similar
Offering similar room and comfort to the 12-seater version, the Ford Transit 15-seater minibus is reliable and offers that bit more room for more passengers. Hire of a Ford Minibus 15-seater or similar starts from £224.99* ex VAT for a one-day rental including delivery and collection. As before, additional drivers over 25 can be added to your hire for £12 ex VAT with the relevant licence. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers –15
Drive – Manual
Features – All age passenger seatbelts
Seating plan from front – 3, 2, 3, 3, 4
Payload – 1330kg
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 30 – 45
Hire a Ford Minibus 17-seater or similar
If you need a substantial size vehicle for transporting a large group of people then the 17-seater is the largest vehicle we have for hire. Offering room for up to 16 passengers as well as space for other items, the 17-seater minibus is a reliable choice for those group trips. Hire of a Ford Minibus 17-seater or similar starts from £224.99* ex VAT for a one-day rental including delivery and collection. You are able to add additional drivers over the age of 25 with the relevant licence to your hire for £12 ex VAT. The specifications are as follows:
Passengers –17
Drive – Manual
Features – All age passenger seatbelts
Seating plan from front – 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4
Payload – 1,491kg
Miles per Gallon (MPG) – 30 – 45
If you need any help or advice on hiring a minibus from Nationwide hire, please do get in touch. You can call us on freephone 0800 5244 780 or chat to us online between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday or 8 am and 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.
*Discounts and offers are occasionally available so please speak to a member of our team about hiring any of our vehicles