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These
are my customer's most common questions. I try
to answer these in plain English, however, if you
need further clarification or have a different
question please call me on
0845
519 3459
or
email and I'll be
happy to assist.
How do
you offer such good value?
Firstly I'm constantly working to identify the
best and cheapest suppliers. Then there are my
really, really low overheads - no flashy offices or
a plush dealership!! (Who do you think pays for all those
designer showrooms and slick salesmen?)
And finally, unlike many of my internet competitors,
I
don't have offices full of staff shuffling paper
around. (I even taught myself to build websites
to save money. What do you think of it?
let me know -
Nick).
Are
the vehicles brand new and where do they come from?
Yep - brand spanking new, complete with that unique
new car smell! My cars and vans are supplied
through the relevant UK dealer
network. No dodgy imports here - guaranteed!
How
much choice do I get in respect of colour and other
options?
You get just the same choice as if you went into a
showroom to buy a new car. You can choose the
colour, the specification and any options you want.
I can also arrange to have accessories such as tow bars
etc. fitted. Please note that some offers
are restricted to a limited number of vehicles which
may restrict the choice of colours that are
available.
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Can you
supply a model not listed on your website?
Yes, I can supply literally any make or model, but I naturally feature the very best value models on
the website. If I'm featuring say an 'Focus
LX' but you'd really like a 'Focus Zetec', then
there is a very good chance that I have great rates
available on that too.
Is
delivery and collection included?
Yes, I arrange free UK mainland delivery and
collection. This can be to/from your office or home,
whichever is the most convenient. Occasionally lease
cars will be delivered on a truck or trailer, but
more often they will be driven to your address. The
delivery mileage is then deducted from your total
mileage allowance.
What happens if my lease vehicle breaks down?
All of my lease cars have roadside assistance for a
minimum period of 12 months which is included as
part of the manufacturer's warranty. Many
manufacturer's now include 36 months cover, however,
for those with only 12 months the second and third
year can normally be added for a small additional
fee.
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What
happens if my lease vehicle needs repairs?
All lease cars are covered by the relevant manufacturer's
full warranty which usually lasts for a period of 36 months
from the date of first registration. This means
that your local franchised dealer will carry out any
repairs free of charge. Please bear in mind
however, that some components such as brake pads and
discs are excluded from warranty cover. Please see
the appropriate manufacturer's website for details.
What happens if my lease vehicle needs servicing and
maintenance?
On a standard agreement YOU will need to arrange and
pay for servicing and maintenance. This needs to be
done at the manufacturer's recommended intervals.
However, most new cars go a minimum of 12,000 miles,
and some up to 18,000 miles before a service is
needed, so maintenance costs will be minimal. Any
reputable garage can do the servicing as long as the
manufacturer's genuine parts are used, so you don't
need to use an expensive franchised dealer.
Can
servicing, replacement tyres and maintenance be
included as part of my lease agreement?
Yes it
can. Rentals would be increased accordingly to
cover the cost, however, bear in mind that with
longer service intervals you could be paying out for
a year or more before you see a benefit. Frankly,
I don't think this is good value unless you are
driving a high mileage such as 30,000 or 40,000
miles per year. Still, if you want the figures
just let me know.
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What
if the vehicle is damaged or even written off?
If the damage is just minor then you should inform
your insurance company and have it repaired in the
normal way. However, if the vehicle suffers
substantial damage or may be written off then you
should inform us immediately. If the vehicle is
written off and your insurer’s final offer falls
short of the lease company's settlement figure,
I’ll advise you of this before you accept since you
will be liable for any shortfall. You may want to
consider protecting yourself against this
eventuality by taking out GAP insurance cover at the
start of the agreement.
What
happens if my vehicle gets a few stone chips or the
odd dent?
Normal wear and tear such as stone
chips, the odd dent and maybe a scuffed bumper
corner is unavoidable. However, at the end of the lease you will
have to pay for any damage that is more than
just normal wear and tear. Basically this is just
common sense and I can genuinely say that disputes
are unusual.
What
happens if a window or windscreen is damaged?
Glass replacement is not included in your lease
agreement or covered by the vehicle manufacturer's
warranty. Small chips to the windscreen can be
repaired (as long as they are not in the drivers
line of sight). Before paying for replacement glass
contact your insurance company as many motor
insurance policies include 'free' windscreen
replacement.
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What
happens if my lease vehicle is off the road and I
need a replacement vehicle?
Unless specifically requested, your lease agreement
will NOT provide a free replacement vehicle - in
any circumstances. Although this cover can be
provided as part of a service and maintenance
package, once again, I wouldn't particularly
recommend this option as I think it offers poor
value. Why pay out extra for two or three years
when most garages and bodyshops have customer
courtesy cars available for little or no charge and
insurance companies often provide hire cars in the
event of an accident. Once again though, if you want
the figures just ask.
What
happens if I want to drive the vehicle abroad?
No problem - just call and I'll put you in contact
with the relevant department so that you can obtain
the correct documentation. Please bear in mind this
may take a week or more to arrive, so please call in
good time. (Remember Mr Jordan - next year please
call MORE than 3 hours before the ferry sails!! -
Nick). Please also ensure that your roadside
recovery and insurance is valid for driving abroad.
How do
I get my new tax discs?
I arrange for tax discs, officially called the Road
Fund Licence, to be sent to you through the post -
so please let me know if you move (Yes Mrs H. -
you know who you are! - Nick!). I make sure
they're sent out a month or so before the renewal
date.
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What
happens if my lease car is stolen?
Report the theft to the police immediately then
notify me. If your insurance company declare the
vehicle a write off and their final offer falls
short of the lease company's settlement figure,
I'll advise you of this before you accept since you
will be liable for any shortfall. You may want to
consider protecting yourself against this
eventuality by taking out GAP insurance cover at the
start of the agreement.
What
happens if I receive a traffic offence or parking
ticket?
Naturally you are responsible for all fines, parking
tickets, tolls and congestion charges. However, any
fines that are sent through the post will end up at
the leasing company's head office because they are
the registered keeper. To avoid the cost of
these escalating the leasing company will pay the
fine immediately and will then send you a bill for
the cost of the fine, plus an administration charge.
These admin charges vary from leasing company to
leasing company, but they're typically around £25.
Please refer to your lease agreement terms &
conditions for further details.
Can I
keep the car at the end of the lease?
You can request a purchase price for the vehicle or
can sometimes extend the lease for a further period.
However, bear in mind the cost of additional
maintenance as the warranty may expire and an MOT
may become due. For peace of mind I would
recommend returning the vehicle and starting with
another brand new one.
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How
long is the lease period?
I normally recommend two or three years as I feel
this offers the best value, however, they can range
from 12 to 60 months depending on the vehicle and
agreement.
Can I
send the vehicle back early if I want to?
Yes you can, but remember why leasing is cheap -
it's because you commit to a long period.
Therefore, if you want to terminate the agreement at
any time before the due date penalties will be
incurred. I endeavour to keep any costs to a
minimum, although as a guideline you should expect
to pay half of any rentals still outstanding, which
is the industry norm. Additionally, any excess
mileage charge would be calculated on a pro-rata
basis. If circumstances mean that an early
termination could be a possibility, you may want to
consider protecting yourself against the cost by
taking out Early Termination insurance cover at the
start of the agreement.
A 3+35
deal sounds like I am paying for 38 months - is that
right?
No - this is just the way the leasing business
quantifies the initial payment that's required. A
3+35 agreement means that an initial payment
equivalent to 3 rentals is payable before
delivery, followed by 35 monthly rentals thereafter,
so it's still a 36 month agreement. Likewise, a 3+23
agreement means that an initial payment
equivalent to 3 rentals is payable in advance,
followed by 23 monthly rentals thereafter, a total
of 24 months. However, to complicate matters it is
possible to have other payment 'profiles' such as
3+21 or 6+33 agreement. On these leases an initial
payment equivalent to 3 or 6 rentals is payable in
advance, followed by either 21 or 33 monthly rentals
thereafter, with two months at the end of the
agreement where no rentals are payable. (The idea
behind this is to smooth the customer's cash flow so
they can put money aside for the initial payment for
the next lease car). But lets get real! Nothing in
life is free, and that's the case here. With all of
these different payment profiles the total
amount payable over the period of the lease will be
almost identical - its simply a case of what's paid
and when. (Got the idea? - If not call and I'll
happily explain further - Nick)
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Who is
responsible for insuring the vehicle?
You are! Lease vehicles must be insured on a fully
comprehensive basis, however, anyone you include on
the policy can drive the car.
Can I
change the terms of the lease mid-term?
On most leases it is possible to amend both the term
and the mileage allowance mid term. Sometimes
significant savings can be made, for example, if a
vehicle is covering less than the anticipated
mileage. I'll contact you on a regular basis to
check the mileage and then advise accordingly.
Can
the car be supplied by my local dealer?
Yes, where the dealer can match my usual discounts
and terms then this can normally be arranged.
Occasionally however, offers are based on vehicles
physically in-stock with my normal
suppliers so this may not always be possible.
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Can
I part exchange my current car or van?
I'd usually recommend that you sell it privately, as
that way you'll get the most money for it.
However, if you want and fast and hassle free way to
sell you old car I would suggest using an online
service such as
www.wewillbuyyourcar.co.uk Sites such as
this will give you a free online valuation, so if
you can sell your car privately for more than the
valuation, then you know your getting a good deal!
How
long will I have to wait for delivery?
The average delivery time is usually 3 or 4 weeks,
however, this is dependent on the
availability of the particular make and model and if
you're open on colour, or not. If the vehicle is
in-stock with my supplier then the quickest delivery
time is realistically around 10 days,
(I'd class this as breakneck, so don't ask for
faster!). If your particular specification
requires a factory order then a wait of 3 months, or
more, could be experienced. Either way,
communication is key here. If you want a car
quickly then let us know before I do anything else.
I can then check the current availability situation
before going any further.
How
and when will I be expected to pay?
Once a credit application has been approved new
customers will be asked to pay a £250 deposit by
cheque or credit card to proceed with the order.
The balance of the initial payment will be payable a
week or so before the vehicle is delivered. The
remaining monthly rentals will be payable by direct
debit and will start approximately a month after
delivery.
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Can
I put a personal registration number onto a lease
car?
This is not a problem, however, in addition to the
usual DVLA fees for transferring a number or placing
it onto retention, there is usually a small
additional administration charge. Please ask for
details.
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