Leasing a car | Mumsnet

PeakyBlender · 2022-02-26T18:07:41+00:00

We've always bought cars a year or two old but think we will try leasing this time. Can anyone recommend a company and is there anything I need to look out for? I know mileage will be something to check for. Thank you

Soontobe60 · 26/02/2022 18:15

I lease. I always get them from an actual dealership rather than an online leasing company. Ive found that when you do the sums, they seem to be pretty equal price wise, despite online leasing companies appearing to be very cheap at first glance. Eg, my DH leases a VW Tiguan - online there were prices quoted around the £250 point, but when he added the things he needed, plus mileage, plus a lower deposit, they worked out much higher than going directly through VW.

Soontobe60 · 26/02/2022 18:16

For mileage. Check what your mileage has been over the past year to see what you need. My DH only needs 5000 miles, whereas I need 8000 so that bumps the price up a little - but not much.

Original poster

PeakyBlender · 26/02/2022 18:19

Thanks I hadn't even considered going direct to a dealership

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Original poster

PeakyBlender · 26/02/2022 19:59

@Soontobe60

For mileage. Check what your mileage has been over the past year to see what you need. My DH only needs 5000 miles, whereas I need 8000 so that bumps the price up a little - but not much.

Thanks I'll check. I think 8000 sounds about right for me

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Original poster

PeakyBlender · 27/02/2022 12:12

Anymore recommendations of where to get a good deal?

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MintJulia · 27/02/2022 12:41

Be careful. I leased for three years. Two weeks after I signed, they emailed me and said that if I wrote the car off, my insurance wouldn't cover the lease and so here was another insurance I needed to buy from them.....! Didn't mention it beforehand.

The lease was supposed to cover normal wear and tear to tyres, brakes etc. When I got a puncture, they said I had a thorn through the wall of the tyre, I must have been off-roading (err, no!) and they weren't going to pay for it, despite the contract.

It was one long excuse after another. I've bought all my cars since.

Original poster

PeakyBlender · 27/02/2022 16:10

@MintJulia

Be careful. I leased for three years. Two weeks after I signed, they emailed me and said that if I wrote the car off, my insurance wouldn't cover the lease and so here was another insurance I needed to buy from them.....! Didn't mention it beforehand.

The lease was supposed to cover normal wear and tear to tyres, brakes etc. When I got a puncture, they said I had a thorn through the wall of the tyre, I must have been off-roading (err, no!) and they weren't going to pay for it, despite the contract.

It was one long excuse after another. I've bought all my cars since.

Thank you, I've heard horror stories about getting hit with loads of charges for tiny chips etc too but everyone I know seems to lease, so there must be some good companies

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vivainsomnia · 27/02/2022 17:12

Don't go to a direct dealership. Their APR is significantly higher and then your stuck with them if you want a different brand.

I have used LeaseUK for 10 years, 4 cars and they were amazing every single time. I dealt with the same person throughout the 10 years.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 27/02/2022 17:19

Lease deals change all the time, even on the same model, so there isn’t really a go-to IME. The company that someone else might have used a few weeks/months/years ago might well be really uncompetitive now.

Your best bet is, once you know roughly what you want, look on the aggregator sites for deals. IME it’s helpful if you’re reasonably flexible as regards spec, colour, interior etc as you sometimes find there’s a deal on (say) grey VW Golf SEs but not on red or blue ones, or S or GTI spec (for example).

Mrswalliams1 · 27/02/2022 17:41

We've used Nationwide vehicle leasing for years. Cheapest I can find and its all really easy.

Soontobe60 · 27/02/2022 18:05

@vivainsomnia

Don't go to a direct dealership. Their APR is significantly higher and then your stuck with them if you want a different brand.

I have used LeaseUK for 10 years, 4 cars and they were amazing every single time. I dealt with the same person throughout the 10 years.

No APR in lease cars! If it’s PCP, then yes, there may be some APR. My last PCP had 0% APR from a dealership

cherrypiepie · 27/02/2022 20:28

Lease loco is a comparison site that rates the 'best deals' form the brokers. Maybe These are an aggregator site like compare the market etc as a pp mentioned?) not sure it is whole of market.

But It a good starting point and the market is VOLATILE right now.

I've had my lease one year. I signed up to emails from a few leasing companies. A good deal came in and What I noticed is (similar to apple and fusion products) if that one broker has a good deal other ones will to so then take that back to lease loco. And find the best deal that way.

Also check maintenance as mine as 20 more a month for service and tyres (wear and tear so tread depth)

Fwiw I got an Audi A3 sport back 30 (comfort and sound so not a base model))for under £200 including maintenance. No idea if that is too or not but affordable from me.

I did have to pay a £199 admin fee and a retainer. This is to the broker who then deal with a FUNDER. Eg ALD or Santander.

Extras like nice colour we extortionate and the lead time was crazy!! Also the first week I kerb my alloys to avoid an ambo but hey that's life and I'll get them refurbed before i hand it back

Husband just got a fancy merc found in Lease loco too and no admin fee.

Different companies mine is leasing options but it means nothing as noemi deal with ALD (had no contact with them in a year will call the soon to arrange a service)

Car was supplied by a fleet leasing dealership and delivered by a driver to my house.

Original poster

PeakyBlender · 27/02/2022 22:19

Thanks very much

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