SelfDrive Mobility has launched a new ‘Rent to Own’ service in the UAE, offering customers a flexible and transparent pathway to car ownership with no interest, no credit checks, and the ability to purchase their vehicle at any point during the first 12 months of rental.
The new service allows users to drive a vehicle for as little as one month before deciding whether to keep renting, return the car, or switch to full ownership. All monthly payments are deducted from the final purchase price, with only the downpayment remaining non-refundable.
Designed to reflect the UAE’s increasingly flexible employment landscape and growing demand for alternative car ownership models, SelfDrive’s latest offering includes full insurance, servicing, and maintenance, with all vehicles sourced and maintained through official dealers.
Soham Shah, Founder and CEO of SelfDrive Mobility, said the offering is aimed at providing flexibility to a growing segment of customers who fall outside traditional financing systems.
“More than three million people in the UAE work in freelance or contracted roles, according to recent government employment statistics,” Shah said. “These professionals need transportation solutions tailored to their unique requirements. ‘Rent to own’ provides customer control, clarity, and flexibility, with no hidden surprises.”
Customers can browse available 2024 and 2025 models—including brands like Geely, Skoda, and Bestune—directly through the SelfDrive app. Each vehicle comes with transparent pricing and bundled benefits such as insurance, servicing, and customer support. The company has also introduced an online Rent-to-Own calculator to help users compare rental and ownership costs side by side.
The launch comes amid a significant shift in the UAE’s automotive and rental markets. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), commercial vehicle registrations rose by 43% in 2024, while the rental vehicle fleet grew to more than 71,000 units. Luxury and electric vehicle rentals also surged, growing by 73% and 50% respectively.
