Value proposition

The largest UK privately owned rental business delivering exceptional customer service.

Thrifty Car & Van Rental UK has come a long way since its inception over 40 years ago.

Our story began in 1971 when family run company, the Scot Group, began trading with a modest fleet of three Mark II Cortinas, one Escort and five commercial vehicles, all of which were second hand.

As the company developed, in 1973 it was able to rent a small office in a garage in Exeter with four parking spaces.

Developments continued at pace and in 1979, Scot Hire made its first bulk vehicle purchase of six Vauxhall Chevettes. Expansion has continued at pace ever since, with new branches being opened every year and the vehicle fleet consistently growing. Indeed today, Scot Group Ltd runs a comprehensive fleet of more than 16,500 cars, and 5,500 vans and minibuses.

Thrifty currently operates in 98 locations across the UK. Our head office is based in Exeter where the accounts, HR, insurance, fleet and car sales departments are based. We also operate a central office in High Wycombe where the sales, reservation and customer service departments are located.