What vehicle transport
actually costs in 2026
A plain-English guide for UK dealerships. No spin. Compare marketplace quotes, flat-rate contracts, and progressive pricing,so you can make an informed decision about your transport spend.
The UK vehicle transport market
If you manage a dealership, you already know the options are limited. The UK vehicle transport market for dealers broadly breaks down into three pricing models, each with distinct trade-offs in cost, consistency, and control.
Understanding these models is the first step to reducing your vehicle transport cost per mile without sacrificing service quality.
Marketplace platforms
Platforms like Movex connect you with independent drivers who bid on your jobs. Rates vary wildly. You get a different driver every time. Convenient for one-off jobs, expensive and inconsistent at volume.
Traditional fleet contracts
Large fleet operators offer fixed per-mile rates, but typically require contractual commitments, minimum monthly volumes, and long notice periods. Good rates if you can guarantee consistent volume.
Progressive pricing (G2)
Your rate starts at a base level and drops automatically as your monthly mileage increases. No contracts, no minimums. Same in-house drivers every time, with a full digital portal included.
Average costs by pricing model
How the three main vehicle transport pricing models compare for UK dealerships in 2026. Rates are based on published averages and market research.
| Feature | Marketplace (Movex-style) | Traditional Fleet | G2 Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-mile rate | £1.80 – £2.50/mile | £1.50 – £2.00/mile | £1.70 – £2.00/mile |
| Rate consistency | Variable,depends on driver bids | Fixed,contract rate | Predictable,tiers are published |
| Contract required | No, but subscription fees apply | Yes,typically 6-12 months | No contract, no minimums |
| Driver consistency | Different driver each time | Assigned fleet drivers | Same in-house team |
| Volume discount | None | Negotiated manually | Automatic tier progression |
| Booking portal | Platform-dependent | Usually phone/email | Full self-service portal |
| Live GPS tracking | Limited | Varies | Real-time with ETA |
| Hidden fees | Platform commission, listing fees | Fuel surcharges, admin fees | None,all inclusive |
| Invoicing | Per-job | Monthly or per-job | One monthly invoice |
Rates based on published pricing and market averages as of early 2026. All figures exclude VAT. For a detailed comparison with Movex, see our G2 vs Movex page.
How to calculate your monthly transport spend
Most dealerships underestimate their true vehicle transport cost because they track it per-job rather than per-month. Here is a straightforward way to calculate your actual monthly spend.
The formula is simple: take the number of vehicles you move each month, multiply by the average distance per journey, and you have your total monthly mileage. Apply the per-mile rate to get your spend.
The example opposite shows a mid-sized dealership moving 30 vehicles per month across an average of 60 miles. At 1,800 miles, they cross the 1,500 mile threshold, so G2's progressive pricing applies £1.70/mile to every mile that month. That is £0.30/mile less than the flat £2.00 most operators charge.
Dealer groups consolidating multiple sites onto a single G2 account see even greater savings, because all mileage across every site counts towards the same monthly tier progression.
Mid-size dealership, 30 cars/month
RATE: £1.70/MILE (TIER 4)
At a flat £2.00/mile: the same 1,800 miles costs £3,600. G2 progressive pricing saves this dealership £540 per month, that is £6,480 per year reinvested in the business.
Why progressive pricing beats flat rates
Flat-rate contracts charge you the same whether you move 5 cars or 50. Progressive pricing automatically rewards loyalty. Here is the difference over a year.
Flat rates penalise loyalty
With a flat-rate provider, moving 10 cars costs the same per mile as moving 100. There is no incentive to consolidate your transport with a single partner, and no reward for doing so. Your rate never improves unless you manually renegotiate, and even then, you are locked into a new contract.
Progressive pricing rewards growth
G2's progressive model means your rate drops automatically as volume increases and applies retroactively to every mile that month. No renegotiation. No contracts. You can see your tier progress in real-time inside the G2Link portal.
Key takeaways for dealerships
Look beyond the quoted rate
The headline per-mile rate is only part of the cost. Factor in return journey charges, fuel surcharges, platform fees, and admin costs to find the true cost of each provider.
Consolidate to save
Splitting work across multiple providers destroys your bargaining power. Consolidating onto a progressive pricing model means every mile you add pushes your rate down further.
Value consistency
The cheapest per-mile rate means nothing if your vehicles arrive late with damage from an unknown driver. In-house drivers, live tracking, and a digital portal deliver consistency that marketplaces cannot match.
Get your personalised rate
Tell us your typical monthly volume and routes. We will show you exactly what you would pay with G2 progressive pricing,and how it compares to what you are paying now.
No contracts. No commitment. Just a clear number you can compare.