Hero, background and action cars
A hero car is featured and often driven by cast; a background car dresses the street; an action vehicle is prepared for stunts or repeated driving. Each needs a different brief and arrangement. See picture cars vs action vehicles and background vehicles for film.
How it works
- Send a brief: the scene, dates, location, references and how the car is used (driven, static in shot or background).
- We search the catalogue and owners and send a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and practical notes.
- You choose. Nothing is booked until you do.
- We confirm date, call time and on-set rules with the owner. See how it works.
What does it cost?
CarSeen quotes every job individually; the car, number of days, whether it is driven, the driver, transport and distance all change the figure.
Insurance
The production insures the car for filming, naming the owner, usually under its production policy or a specialist picture-car policy. Don't assume cover is included in the hire. Read picture car insurance explained.
How far ahead to book
Brief as early as you can: owners are private individuals and popular period cars get booked. Shortlists usually come back within forty-eight hours, so short-notice jobs are possible, but a specific make, colour and year is easier to secure with more notice, especially if you need doubles (matching picture car doubles).
Drivers, delivery and on set
Owners often drive or attend with their car, and that is usually the simplest arrangement. Cars can be driven in or moved by transporter or low-loader; tell us the location and whether plates need covering or changing. For moving shots see tracking vehicles vs low-loaders and filming car scenes on public roads.
Period and specialist cars
The catalogue runs from pre-war tourers to modern executive cars, plus taxis, buses, police and American cars and commercial vehicles. See period cars for film, police car hire, American cars and action vehicles.
UK coverage
CarSeen is based in Shoreditch, London, and sources from owners across the UK. Send the actual shoot location and we search for cars that can reach it. See picture vehicle hire UK.
Example cars from the catalogue
Real catalogue listings. Images are representative; availability is confirmed when you brief.
