Frequently Asked Questions

Here at Pure Vehicle Leasing we understand that you may have some questions regarding leasing a vehicle. We have tried to answer many of the questions that we get asked on a regular basis. If however, you need to ask a question that you cannot find the answer to please get in-touch.

Would you be able to purchase my current car?

We are more than happy to look at purchasing your current car so give us a call to discuss this further.

Does leasing a vehicle have any restrictions on driving abroad?

Depending on the finance provider, you may be allowed to take the vehicle abroad for a specified period of time. Before arranging your trip, you will need to contact the finance provider to discuss your options. Along with the standard documentation, leased vehicle drivers will require a form VE103B. This is essentially authorisation from the finance provider which allows the driver to take the lease or hire car abroad. The VE103B contains details of the vehicle, the name and address of the driver and gives permission from the finance provider for the driver to be using the car abroad. This is a legal document and acts as an alternative to the V5C. This form must be ordered in advance of your trip.

What happens in the event of death of the contract holder?

In the event of the death of the contract holder, the trustee of the estate will need to contact the finance provider ASAP. For agreements where the vehicle is returned at the end of the contract, such as a Contract Hire or Personal Contract Hire, an early termination figure will be requested. Depending on circumstances, the finance provider may wavier the early termination fee but each decision will be on a case-by-case basis and trustees should speak to the finance provider in the first instance.

What level of wear and tear is acceptable?

If you are returning your vehicle at the end of your leasing agreement, you must do so with no more than 'normal' wear and tear. Each finance company provides its own guidelines as to what is acceptable wear and tear, based on the age and mileage of the vehicle. Exceed these guidelines and you will be liable to pay for the damages. For more information on wear and tear, see our looking after your lease car section.

Can I customise or modify my lease vehicle?

If you require any additional accessories fitted to your vehicle, such as a tow bar, please request this at point of order. Some small and reversible modifications may be permitted by the funder providing your leasing contract but please note that this will be at your own risk and may invalidate the vehicle warranty. You will also need to arrange for removal of any modifications without damaging the vehicle before returning it at the end of the contract. Before making any changes to your vehicle, please speak to us. Permission and restrictions will depend on the manufacturer and finance provider.

What happens in the event of a breakdown?

All vehicle leasing agreements through Pure Vehicle Leasing include at least 12 months breakdown cover from the manufacturer - although many now offer three years' cover free of charge. Within the car or van book pack, there will be an emergency number to contact day or night.

What happens when I need a vehicle serviced or repaired?

If you included a maintenance package in your agreement, you will receive a maintenance contact number from the finance company. If your vehicle needs to be serviced or repaired, call that number to book your vehicle into a local approved garage. If you have not got a maintenance package and your vehicle needs repair, you must inform the relevant finance company of any incidents. If your vehicle is being serviced, you are advised to go to a local main dealer and use only approved parts. Please consult your leasing contract - this will tell you what you need to do and what the finance company's requirements are.

Are there any restrictions to lease a vehicle?

As long as you have a full UK driving licence, are able to afford the monthly rentals and have a good to excellent credit score, you can apply to lease a vehicle from the age of 18. There is no upper age limit.

Should I choose a diesel or petrol vehicle?

Ultimately, whether a diesel or petrol vehicle is best for you will depend on your individual needs and driving preferences. One of the biggest things to bear in mind when making this decision, however, is your regular driving habits. Diesel vehicles are fitted with something called a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The DPF is part of the car or van's exhaust system, designed to clean engine exhaust gasses before they enter the atmosphere. The DPF is designed to clean itself by 'burning off' the excess soot particles when it gets hot enough - typically after 30 minutes of driving at around 45mph. If you don't reach those speeds for long enough, the filter won't be able to clean itself and a warning light will come on. Therefore, if you're typically a city driver or one that doesn't do a large number of miles in a single journey, a petrol vehicle may be more suitable for you.

Do vehicles have a warranty?

Yes, all our vehicles come with the full UK manufacturer's warranty. The length of time this warranty covers will depend on the manufacturer. Please ask us for details of the warranty that is provided for your vehicle.

Who supplies the vehicle I will be leasing?

All vehicles leased through us are supplied through the relevant vehicle manufacturer's UK dealer network. Our excellent relationship with a wide range of dealers means we can offer you a great price, and you can benefit from the trust and reliability that comes from main dealerships.

Who is responsible for insuring the leased vehicle?

You are responsible for arranging your own insurance on the vehicle. This must be a fully comprehensive insurance policy and the hirer obtaining finance must be the main policy holder or a named driver on the insurance certificate. Please note that for business contract hire and personal contract hire agreements, the finance company is the registered owner and keeper of the vehicle.

How long is the lease period?

Our contracts usually range from 24 to 48 months (two to four years), depending on the vehicle and contract chosen. The majority of our customers choose two, three or four-year contracts. Five-year contracts are sometimes offered, depending on the customer and the finance provider. Shorter contracts mean you are able to change your vehicle more often, while longer contracts will generally mean cheaper monthly payments. It's worth noting that if you take a 48 month (four-year) agreement, you will be responsible for the MOT and any servicing requirements as stipulated by the finance company in the final year of the contract.

How much annual company vehicle tax will be due on my leased business car?

The annual car tax on your company car will depend on a number of factors:

  • The P11D value
  • Your income tax percentage rate
  • The benefit in kind (BIK) tax banding, which is determined by its CO2 emissions

What is the difference between business and personal leasing?

If you are applying for vehicle finance as a limited company, partnership, sole trader or LLP, you may be eligible for business leasing. Occasionally, manufacturers offer special rates for business customers only. This can result in a difference in price between business and personal prices. Business car leasing also offers positive tax implications such as reclaiming a percentage of the VAT. In comparison, if you are applying for vehicle finance as a private individual, you may be eligible for personal leasing. Personal contract hire is similar to a business contract hire agreement with the exception of reclaiming the VAT. All personal contract hire prices include VAT. In some cases, personal leasing may actually be the appropriate option for certain businesses. For example, if you are a self-employed person who has recently just started your own business, you may not have the three months' business bank statements required by most funders for a business lease. In this case, personal leasing may be the better option. If you're unsure, your sales consultant will be able to help.

Can I put a personal number plate on the car?

Yes, this shouldn't be a problem, just check with finance company providing the vehicle first. Make sure that you have their agreement and confirmation that they will transfer the number back to you at the end of the agreement.

What happens if the car is accident damaged to the point of being written off by the insurance company? Am I liable for any shortfall in value?

What normally happens is the insurance company will negotiate directly with the leasing company. Different companies have varying policies. We recommend that you check with the company concerned. You may want to consider Early Termination insurance or G.A.P insurance to cover you for any costs.

What if the car gets damaged during the lease?

Minor damage such as lightly scuffed alloys and stone chips are unlikely to be an issue under the "fair wear and tear" clause found in lease contracts. More severe damage will need to be fixed by an approved repair centre.

Is there a mileage limit on a lease?

Yes. All the deals advertised have a mileage limit, and there will be an excess mileage charge for exceeding this. It is therefore important that you are realistic about the number of miles the vehicle will cover when you take out the lease. If circumstances change some funders will allow you to alter up or down during the period of the lease which might be more cost effective than paying the excess mileage charge.

Is insurance included in a lease deal?

No. Because the cost of insurance can vary wildly between drivers, it is impossible to accurately factor in insurance costs with our monthly lease rates. Luckily though, insuring a lease car is no different to getting any other car insured, so shop around for the most suitable quote for you.

What is vehicle leasing?

Vehicle leasing is a long-term rental agreement that allows you or your company to use a vehicle for a set period of time at a fixed monthly price. It is an alternative, and often cheaper, funding solution to buying a vehicle with a bank loan or dealer finance.

I've failed finance. What are my alternatives?

If you have been declined vehicle finance, other funding options may be available to you depending on your circumstances. Applying for vehicle finance is much like applying for a credit card or loan. The finance companies will investigate your credit history before making a decision whether to accept your application. The Citizen's Advice Bureau offers a wealth of information about borrowing money, and what you can do if you have been refused credit.

Can I use a guarantor if I am unable to have finance?

On some occasions, the finance provider will accept a guarantor and/or joint application but this is dependent on the funder and is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to us for further information.

How long does the credit check take?

Most funders respond to a credit application within 2 working days however during busy periods, it can take longer to receive a response from the funder.

Do finance companies check my credit history?

Yes. As part of the leasing application process, you will be asked to submit a finance application. Business customers will fill in a Business Finance Application form, while personal customers will fill in a Personal Finance Application form. Most funders ask for a good to excellent credit score in order to be accepted for vehicle finance

When is the initial rental and monthly payments taken?

Dates for initial rental and monthly payments are dependent upon the finance provider. Some providers take the initial rental within 14 days of delivery of the vehicle, while others take payment before delivery is booked. Monthly payments are usually taken one month after delivery of the vehicle on a date set by the finance provider.

What is the initial rental?

The initial rental is an advanced rental of usually equivalent to 3, 6 or 9 monthly rentals and is normally paid by Direct Debit just after delivery. This amount forms part for the hire agreement and is non-refundable. It's worth bearing in mind that paying a larger initial rental will reduce your monthly payments. We can also offer contracts with no or higher initial rentals so contact us and we can discuss your requirements further.

Is maintenance included in my monthly payments?

Maintenance is an optional cost and includes all servicing, necessary maintenance of tyres, brakes, the exhaust and the battery of your vehicle, plus any necessary labour costs. For further details, go to our maintenance guide.

Can I lease if I have bad credit?

As an FCA-regulated company we have to perform a credit check before completing a lease agreement. This is necessary to protect both you and the leasing company. We can't comment on individual cases, but those with poor credit may find it harder to be accepted. If you are unsure, the best course of action would be to find a deal you like and then give us a call to explain the situation.

Is it possible to change the lease mid contract to another make or model?

It may be possible to change into another vehicle, by settling your current contract. A settlement figure is usually between 50% to 100% of any outstanding rentals although this calculation will vary from funder to funder. We can obtain a settlement figure on your behalf so you can evaluate your options and discuss your next vehicle.

Can I terminate my agreement early?

Early termination is at the discretion of the finance provider and is not available on all contracts. If you wish to terminate your agreement early, please speak to us in the first instance to discuss your options.

What happens at the end of the vehicle agreement?

Approximately six months prior to the end of your contract, we will contact you to discuss your replacement options. Collection is dependent on the finance provider. For both contract hire and personal contract hire the finance company will usually collect the vehicle at the end of the contract.

Can I renegotiate aspects of my lease?

Ultimately, changes to your contract will be made at the discretion of the finance company that is providing the vehicle lease. However, they will be aware that even relatively short contract periods (two years, for example) can be enough for major changes in your circumstances. Potential scenarios include:

  • Moving home or job in such a way that means you are likely to exceed your agreed mileage
  • Your financial situation has changed in such a way that you are unlikely to be able to afford your payments (for example, losing your job or bankruptcy)
  • You acquire another vehicle and no longer need your leased car
In all of these scenarios, you should contact your finance company to find out what your available options are.

Is roadside assistance included in my lease contract?

Yes - all contracts for all vehicles include either 12 months or three years' breakdown recovery, depending on the manufacturer. The company that provides this breakdown recovery will depend on the manufacturer that supplies the vehicle.

What isn't included in my contract?

The following features are not included in

  • Vehicle insurance
  • Maintenance & Servicing (packages available)

What is included in my contract?

All of our lease contracts include the following:

  • Free UK mainland delivery*
  • Full manufacturer's warranty
  • Breakdown recovery
  • Road tax
*For some locations a delivery charge will be made, depending on address and vehicle manufacturer

What happens to a contract hire or personal contract hire agreement in the case of a bereavement??

The car is returned to the leasing company.

Is servicing included?

All our prices exclude servicing which is known as a maintenance contract, to request a maintained quote please click yes in the single car page just above the enquire button, we will then send you a personalised quote including the maintenance cost. If the deal does come with maintenance, the lease company will pay for all servicing, scheduled maintenance and tyres, but some consumables such as windscreen wipers may not be included. ?If the deal does not have maintenance included, you will have to pay for servicing. It's important to check what's included as this does vary from funder to funder.

Is road tax included?

Road tax, or Vehicle Excise Duty will normally be included within the price.

What is the difference between contract hire and personal contract purchase (PCP)??

With both contract hire agreements and PCP deals, the finance company owns the vehicle throughout the lease. As the name suggests, the lessee is merely hiring the car for a contracted length of time. At the end of the lease, the vehicle is handed back to the finance company, whereas those taking out personal contract purchase (PCP) deals will have the option of buying the car outright at the end of the lease. For more information, visit our lease v's buying section

How long does it take for a car in stock to be delivered?

"In stock" refers to vehicles that are in the UK and are available for delivery usually within 3 to 4 weeks. Please note, we are unable to deliver a vehicle until the statutory cooling off period observed by the finance company (usually 14 working days) has expired and we are in receipt of your signed finance agreement and processing fee. For selected stock vehicles, we are able to offer delivery within 7-10 days upon receipt of the correct documentation. Please note, delivery dates are subject to change by the manufacturer and on occasion delays do occur due to production issues.

How will my new vehicle be delivered?

Your new vehicle will be delivered to your specified address, provided your address is situated on the UK mainland. If you require Vehicle Transported Delivery (the vehicle is delivered on a trailer/transporter) this may be possible but will depend on the distance for delivery. Please ask us for further details on this. Where possible, we try to arrange delivery at a time and date that is convenient for you. Deliveries generally take place Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm.