A mini lease offers the same flexibility as rental, but over a slightly longer term, allowing a business to get the cars and vans it needs without long contracts.

The agreement will be set over a minimum rental period, which can be one to three months. Lex’s mini lease, for example, has a minimum rental period of 84 days.

Its cost will cover the same benefits as a daily rental vehicle, which includes the vehicle’s road fund licence, maintenance delivery and collection.

However, Hall says: “Mini lease provides the flexibility of daily rental, but is a more cost effective solution for longer periods of hire, usually over one month.

“It comes into its own during seasonal peaks in demand when vehicles are required for longer than a few days, but without the commitment of a long term lease.”

• Pros: flexibility; simple to administer; and no service, maintenance or repair costs.
• Cons: risk of hidden charges; and vehicle choice can be restricted.