There’s no denying how popular Uber is both to the riding public and among drivers. For the former, it’s an efficient way to move around and for the latter, it makes an excellent side gig. Who doesn’t want to earn a bit of cash?

However, not everyone who decides to become an Uber driver becomes one in an instant. The company has laid down some stringent rules about the cars used for the service, so they can maintain the brand they have become known for.

The Minimum Requirements for Cars

There are general requirements and a few specific ones depending on the city and the kind of service you will choose. Go through this list to know if your car meets the qualifications:

  • Must be in top working condition
  • Should not be older than 10 years
  • Must be a 4-door and can seat 4-7 passengers including the driver
  • Has working air-conditioning and windows
  • Should pass a vehicle inspection
  • Registered and has CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance in its current city
  • The car should not be damaged, rebuilt, government-owned, a taxi and an ex-taxi

Compared to other cities, rules in Sydney are more strict. They require the vehicle to pass a pink slip inspection and do not allow Ford Falcons older than 2009 to be used. For high-end services like UberSelect, UberBLACK, UberLUX, and UberSUV, the company set more qualifications in addition to the ones mentioned previously.

UberSelect

  • The UberSelect car should have a minimum rating of 4.6 (in Sydney only)
  • Has completed 50 trips (in Sydney only )
  • Seats should be either vinyl or leather

UberBLACK, UberLUX and UberSUV

  • Cars should not be older than 6 years
  • Can comfortably seat 4 passengers (driver included)
  • Have HC registrations plates and commercial vehicle insurance
  • Is a luxury van or SUV (for UberSUV only)

Knowing the requirements would make more sense if you know which cars are usually approved. The following are the models for commonly booked rides.

uberX

This ride is quite affordable and is ideal for everyday trips. It doesn’t require a top-of-the-line car that is too expensive. If you are thinking of buying a second-hand car, keep these qualifications in mind. Knowing the year the car model was released can save you from making a wrong purchase.

  • Hyundai – Accent, Elantra, i30
  • Kia – Cerato, Sportage
  • Nissan – Dualis, Pulsar, X-trail
  • Holden – Captiva, Commodore, Cruze
  • Mazda – CX5, Mazda3
  • Honda – Accord, Civic, CR-V, Jazz
  • Toyota – Aurion, Camry, Corolla, Kluger, Prius, Rav4, Yaris

uberXL

This is another affordable riding option that caters to multiple passengers like families and friends. If you’re planning to buy a big car for your personal use, you might as well choose one from this lineup, so you can easily use it for Uber.

  • Toyota – Kluger, Prado, Tarago, Land Cruiser, Prius V
  • Honda – Odyssey
  • Kia – Carnival, Sorento, Rondo
  • Nissan – X-Trail, Pathfinder, Dualis, Patrol
  • Volkswagen – Multivan
  • Hyundai – Santa Fe, iMax
  • Isuzu – MU-X

Choose Quality

Good quality cars will cost more but look at it as an investment. If you decide not to use the car for Uber, you will be left with a high-value car for personal use or something that would still be good to sell after a couple of years.

Thinking Of Buying a Car For Uber?

If you are thinking of buying a new or used car to use an Uber vehicle, we can provide a low-interest rate car finance to get your rideshare business started!

Apply online or call us today on 1300 889 669.