This is the guide to car hire for adverts and commercials. Cars for commercials covers the same jobs in more detail on hero, background and matching cars. For vintage and heritage spots, see vintage cars for commercials.
CarSeen casts cars for commercials shooting in London and across the UK: the hero the idea is built around, the cars parked behind it, and the working vehicles that place a brand in a real street. Send the script or boards, the shoot dates, the location and the split between hero and background cars.
There are 2,500+ cars in the catalogue, from pre-war classics to current models. Catalogue images are representative of each model. The shortlist shows the real cars. Browse all picture cars or send a brief.
What an advert brief should include
A rough idea is enough to start, and so is a precise make, model and colour. The more of the following you can send, the tighter the shortlist.
- The boards or treatment. A script, a moodboard or a few frames shows the look the client has to sign off.
- Dates and location. Shoot dates, call times and where the car has to be, including any studio access rules.
- How the car is used. Static and dressed, driven, or dialogue while driving. Driving shots on London roads involve the highway authority, and filming from moving vehicles involves the Metropolitan Police Film Unit. See picture car hire in London.
- Hero and background. One brief can cover the featured car and the cars that dress the street. Tell us the split.
- Client limits. Colours, brands to avoid, and any era the spot has to read as.
How a brief becomes a booking
- Send a brief. Scene, dates, location and how each car will be used.
- Get a shortlist. Usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and practical notes. If options need holding while a client decides, we ask the owners and tell you how long each hold can last.
- Quote. Every job is quoted individually, from the cars, the days, the use, transport and drivers.
- Insurance and booking. The production insures the car, naming the owner. Booking locks the date, call time and on-set rules.
The full process is on how it works. Buyer questions are on the FAQ.
Looks productions brief for adverts
These are catalogue types agencies ask for, with the live count of vehicles recorded in each. A count is not a promise that a particular car is free on your dates.
- Luxury and executive cars — 220 vehicles
- Modern cars — 771 vehicles
- Classic cars — 1,651 vehicles
- Convertibles — 226 vehicles
- Vans and commercial vehicles — 100 vehicles
- Supercars — 64 vehicles
Heritage spots often start with vintage cars for commercials or 1970s, 1980s and 1990s cars. For a whole recent-period street, see 1980s and 1990s cars for film.
Points to settle before the shoot
- Colour. A brand palette narrows the field more than the make. Send a reference if you have one.
- Brand clearance. If another manufacturer's badges should not be recognisable, say so. Covering or removing badges is only done with the owner's agreement.
- Matching cars. Split units and long days sometimes need two cars that look the same. We will say whether that is realistic.
- Number plates. Registrations appear on screen. Covering, replacing or changing them in post needs the owner's agreement. On public roads a picture car should carry its own legal plates.
- Insurance. The production arranges picture-car insurance naming the owner. Who drives depends on the car, the owner and that insurance, and is confirmed before the shoot.
Catalogue cars you can brief
A spread of catalogue cars across the looks above. Every listing can be briefed. Availability is confirmed with the owner when you send your dates.
Related
Cars for commercials · Picture car hire London · TV car hire · Music video car hire · 1980s and 1990s cars for film · Photoshoot car hire London · Browse picture cars
Why CarSeen
- 2,500+ cars in the catalogue
- Based in Shoreditch, London, sourcing from owners across the UK
- Our team have worked with productions for film, TV and advertising — see our credits
- How we protect owners: owner-submitted listings use the owner's own photos with plates covered, and never show names, addresses or registrations
FAQ
What is car hire for adverts and commercials?
It is sourcing a picture car for a television advert, online or social spot, brand film or corporate film. Send the boards, shoot dates, location and how the car is used. The same work is also covered on cars for commercials.
How quickly will I get a shortlist?
A brief leads to a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and practical notes on each car.
Who insures the car, and who drives?
The production insures the car, naming the owner. Exact cover is confirmed job by job. Who drives depends on the car, the owner and that insurance, and is confirmed before the shoot.
Where do the cars come from?
Cars are sourced UK-wide from private owners, collectors, clubs and specialists. CarSeen is based in London.
Can you match a colour or find more than one of the same car?
Tell us the colour in the brief. Colour is often the biggest factor in how long sourcing takes. Matching cars depend on the model and colour, and we will say whether an identical match is realistic.
Can badges and logos be covered?
Only with the owner's agreement. Tell us about any brand-clearance needs in the brief and we will suggest cars where it is practical. On a public road the car should carry its own legal plates. Changing a plate for the camera also needs the owner's agreement.
Are the catalogue photos the actual cars?
No. Catalogue images are representative of each model. The shortlist shows the real cars available for your dates. Photographs supplied by an owner are labelled Owner photo.
Boards ready?