Dorset Vehicle Rentals

Dorset Vehicle Rentals, vehicle hire in Dorset and Somerset

Dorset Vehicle Rentals is a vehicle rental company based in Dorchester (Dorset) operating under SVAT LTD, company number SC620184. Established in September 1995 as a local family business, it was acquired by SIXT in 2022 and became part of SIXT van & truck, keeping the same team and service but integrated into a nationwide structure.

The company presents itself as a rental services provider for local authorities, housing associations, schools, colleges and companies of all sizes, both in Dorset and Somerset and throughout Great Britain. Its offering ranges from short-term daily rental to weekly hire, monthly flexi rental and long-term hire for periods of more than two or three years.

Available vehicle fleet

The company's catalogue is organised into several categories: cars, vans, minibuses, trucks and 4x4 vehicles. The commercial fleet includes 4x4 pickups in single and crew cab versions, with tow bars and hard backs available on request; vans in various sizes (small, SWB, MWB, LWB 3m and Jumbo 4m); welfare vans seating seven and crew cab vans seating six; Jumbo Luton vans with and without tail lifts; Lo Loader vehicles for longer-term hire; 3.5 and 7.5 tonne boxes, curtainside, tippers (also with cages), tippers and flatbeds, plus a fleet of crane trucks. There are also 18-tonne box and curtainside trucks, and flatbed trucks. The minibus fleet covers from 9 to 17 seats.

In the passenger car segment, the company has a wide selection of cars and MPVs, including automatic models. The total fleet exceeds 7,000 modern vehicles across the United Kingdom, according to the company's information.

Included services and conditions

Rental includes servicing, flexible mileage and full breakdown cover as standard. The company operates a 24-hour return policy and offers the option of hiring vehicles with tow bars for trailers or caravans, provided this is requested at the time of booking.

Dorset Vehicle Rentals describes itself as a European travel specialist and allows its vehicles to be taken abroad. For this, it provides a dedicated contact and prepares quotations tailored to the needs of each trip. It also has vehicles equipped with Chapter 8 chevrons to highway standards, and offers electric vans for long-term hire with immediate delivery, as part of its proposal for a transition towards more sustainable mobility for businesses.

The company is a member of the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association), both in the UK and Europe.

Hire for house moves and private customers

Among its services aimed at private customers, the company offers rental solutions for house moves according to the size of the home: medium van for one-bedroom flats, large van for two-bedroom flats, easy-load large jumbo van for two-bedroom houses and 3.5-tonne Luton van with tail lift for three-bedroom homes. It also offers the option of hiring a vehicle for DIY moves.

Branch network and coverage

The company operates from several branches in the south-west of England. Its head office and reservations are in Dorchester, and it also has offices in Weymouth, Yeovil and Gillingham. The Gillingham branch ceased operations permanently on 30 September 2026, redirecting service to the Yeovil branch. As part of SIXT van & truck, the company has branches throughout the United Kingdom.

Complementary services

In addition to rental, Dorset Vehicle Rentals offers MOT, servicing and body shop services. The company also keeps open the possibility of recruiting staff, as reflected in its recruitment section.

Branches and locations

Central Reservations, Dorchester: 3 Railway Triangle, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2PJ

Weymouth: Upwey Service Station, 727 Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5LF

Gillingham: Somdor House, Lower Station Road, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QA

Yeovil: Artillery Road, Lufton Trading Estate, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8RP