Leasing Lifecycle image

Leasing Lifecycle Overview

Navigating the leasing lifecycle can be a complicated process. It’s important to know from the start what the pitfalls are and what to expect from the process of leasing a vehicle. Here is some information to help. If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact one of the Capital Fleet Solutions team.

Select Your Vehicle

  1. Think about your requirements, preferences and budget
  2. Is the mileage offered enough?
  3. Is the vehicle fitted to your required specification?
  4. Can extras be added and at what cost?

Select & Secure Finance

  1. Think about the type of finance you require
  2. Do you want to own, or have the option to own the vehicle at the end of the contract?
  3. Are you VAT registered?

Taking Delivery of Your New Vehicle

On receipt of the vehicle:

  1. Check out the bodywork, trims, mirrors, lights, controls and fittings to confirm their correctness
  2. Any defects found should be raised with the leasing company for resolution

Taking Care of Your Vehicle

It’s important you keep the vehicle well maintained and adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendations with respect to service intervals, daily checks and such. This will help ensure compliance and operational safety as well lowering operating costs and the likelihood of incurring vehicle return costs. Paperwork will be provided at the start of the contract to help you with this aspect

If the vehicle/associated equipment is neglected or damaged during the lease term and this is not rectified before the vehicle is sold, you will incur charges from the leasing company. However, you can rectify this by arranging to repair the damage, prior to return. This must be completed to a professional standard by a professional with a transferrable warranty

Preparing to Return Your Vehicle

Vehicle Inspection

  1. Check Your vehicle prior to its return
  2. Arrange repair of any damage that is outside the scope of wear and tear i.e. large scratches, cracked glass etc.
  3. Check the vehicle in good light, after it has been cleaned and is fully dry
  4. Walk around the vehicle examining the panels checking how the light reflects - this will highlight dents, chips and scratches
  5. Try to use different viewing angles - such as kneeling beside the vehicle
  6. Inspect the lights, windows, mirrors and trim for cracks, holes, chips and scuffs
  7. Check the tyres for uneven wear and deterioration
  8. Inspect it in a timely fashion in order to allow time for repair of any damaged which is outside the scope of wear and tear
  9. Clean and valet the interior and load areas, checking upholstery for burns, tears and stains
  10. Confirm all controls are fully functional

Fair Wear & Tear

The following is a summary of the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidlines. A complete version can be requested from your leasing company.

Wheels, Trims & Tyres

Acceptable

  • One scratch on the border of the wheel rim measuring under 100mm
  • One scuff on the border of the wheel rim measuring under 100mm
  • Scuffs/scratches on the face of the wheel trim measuring under 100mm
  • Tyres with a legal minimal tread of 1.6mm

Not Acceptable

  • Any abrasion, scratch or scuff measuring over 100mm
  • Any bulges, cracks or cuts on a tyre
  • Any deformity of the wheel: cap, tyre, rim, trim or alloy
  • Any tyre with a tread under the legal limit of 1.6mm
 

External Mirrors, Lights and Windows

Acceptable

  • Any stone chip to the surface of the light casings that has not caused a break
  • Any abrasions, scratches or scuffing, or up to 50mm on mirror casing
  • Any windscreen stone chip, under 10mm, that is not in the driver's line of sight

Not Acceptable

  • Any chip or crack which is larger than 1cm regardless of its location
  • Any deformation of the mirror/mirror case
  • Broken glass or non-operational lights
 

Interior

Acceptable

  • Any phone fixings that have be added can be left provided they are fitted correctly
  • Deterioration of the seats caused by normal usage
  • Any stains that can be successfully removed by general cleaning
  • Discolouration caused by day to day usage

Not Acceptable

  • Unpleasant odours or soiling that is not likely to be removed via general cleaning
  • Any abrasion, cut, tear or deformation of interior materials (e.g. carpets, seats and floor mats)
  • Any gaps, holes or spaces left from the removal of equipment
  • Any missing fixtures
 

Loading area, sills and seals

Acceptable

  • Any scuff or scratch of the loading area sills and seals that will not be seen from the outside and does not interfere with the function of the doors
  • Any deformation of the loading area sills and seals that will not be seen from the outside and does not interfere with the function of the doors
  • Any bump of the loading area sills and seals that will not be seen from the outside and does not interfere with the function of the doors
  • Any dent of the loading area sills and seals that will not be seen from the outside and does not interfere with the function of the doors
  • Any additional fittings can be left on the vehicle provided they have been fitted correctly

Not Acceptable

  • Any damage to the interior lining that impacts upon the use of windows, doors or any other fitting
  • Any deformation, scratch or scuff of the loading area sills and seals, that will not be seen from the outside, and does not interfere with the function of the doors
  • Any holes in the loading floor
  • Any corrosion
  • Any lining that is missing, ripped or torn
  • Any large abrasions or dents caused by improper loading or poorly secured goods
 

Vehicle Exterior

Acceptable

  • Small scratches measuring up to 100mm that could be removed with polishing
  • Any dent measuring less than 20mm and only 2 dents per panel
  • Any bump measuring less than 20mm and only 2 bumps per panel
  • Any scratch up to 100mm on any non-painted or textured bumpers
  • Any scuff up to 100mm on any non-painted or textured bumpers
  • Discolouration that is due to normal external factors

Not Acceptable

  • Stickers and/or any glue residue from stickers
  • Paint discolouration resulting from unnatural means (e.g., chemicals)
  • Any detectable repair
  • Breaks or cracks in a bumper or grilles
  • Corrosion (e.g., rust)
  • Any abrasion, scratch or scuff over 100mm which cannot be polished out
  • Any dent over 20mm
 

Returning Your Vehicle

The vehicle will be collected from your premises by the leasing company and an inspection will be completed either on location or at a nominated site. It is recommended that, if possible, you are available for the inspection.

Finance companies appreciate that normal usage of vehicle will result in a few scratches and bumps and will allow for a certain number of imperfections. This is known as ‘fair wear and tear’ and has been outlined previously. The BVRLA, which defines the industry standards, has a document that outlines the minimum standard your vehicle should be returned in. A copy of this can be requested from the leasing company

What to Return? In summary - anything that was provided with the vehicle should be returned with the vehicle. eg - keys, manual, radio codes and spare wheel.