Returning a lease car

[DannyW]

Hi guys

I have a Seat Leon that I lease, it has to go back in a few months (can't wait tbh)

Just wanting peoples experiences with returning cars. Mine is from Arval

1 alloy is kerbed, I know I have to sort that out before giving it back

There's a 2 inch long thin scratch on the bonnet, a few other small scratches here and there. No scuffs or dents. Few chips stone chips on bumper

When I give it back it will be due a service (2 years) Will they expect it serviced?

Are they very fussy in regards to bodywork?

Thanks

 

[Maccapacca]

They will just bill you for the loss in value not the repair costs. Depending on your agreement it might be cheaper just to let them have it and bill you.

I was all worried about a scratch on the juke we gave back. The big costs are for anything that's broken.

 

[DannyW]

They will just bill you for the loss in value not the repair costs. Depending on your agreement it might be cheaper just to let them have it and bill you.

I just checked the Wheel damage policy, It state upto 50mm of damage. I think I'll be covered

I was considering just giving it back but I always feared I'd get stung with a big bill from an expensive body shop. Didn't realise they just bill you for losses

 

[Maccapacca]

That was the policy with arval. Might be different with others. They have 1000s going through auctions a month there's no benefit in them repairing them.

 

[UKDTweak]

I have done this twice, both times i returned the cars early, as long as you have paid over 50% and not missed any payments, then it should not cost you a penny, unless they determine there is damage to the car beyond Normal wear and tear, or there is a clause in your contract for early release costs.
They can bill you for the cost of any repairs that are deemed necessary, this will be in your contract.

My first car was a Merc, 200 SLK, only damage since i bought it was a scrape on one alloy, a low loader arrived at the house on a predetermined day, as arranged, the driver walked around the car with a document, listing any marks etc, tire condition, Tax etc, then asked me to sign it. A month later i got a months payment returned to my bank account.

The second car was a DS3, this was only picked up yesterday, this time two guys from an auction house arrived in a car, again, walked around listing the cars condition, again, a scraped alloy... asked me to sign the form and they drove off with it.

You dont have to wait till the end of your lease if you have your eye on another car and want to change now. Just double check your contract.

 

[booyaka]

Check what they expect.

Each company is different. However if it's due a service, I would get it serviced.

Having returned 2 lease cars in the last 6 weeks my experiences were vastly different.

Wife's 3 year old Juke. 3 guys turned up from Mannheim and proceeded to spend 45 mins going over every inch of the car with rulers / measurements/ even a paint depth gauge!!! One then drove the car away, one got back in the service car with another guy. I mean who pays for 3 people to drive 100 miles from their local base to pick up a 3 year old diesel juke!!!

They then gave me a verbal estimate of the work due to be paid for (around £250 or so) - I wrote on the collection paperwork that I disputed any and all charges. That was 4 weeks ago now and I've heard nothing from them.

My vRS octavia was collected last by BCA and they spent about 10 mins checking the car, gave me a copy of the report which only had a few alloy scratches and drove off. No hassles etc.

It was due a service in 100 miles but the chap picking it up as well as Skoda financial services both said that so long as the service light isn't actually on at the point of pick up, that was fine.

Check the paperwork from your provider - it all depends on who picks up the car

 

[DannyW]

I have done this twice, both times i returned the cars early, as long as you have paid over 50% and not missed any payments, then it should not cost you a penny, unless they determine there is damage to the car beyond Normal wear and tear, or there is a clause in your contract for early release costs.
They can bill you for the cost of any repairs that are deemed necessary, this will be in your contract.

My first car was a Merc, 200 SLK, only damage since i bought it was a scrape on one alloy, a low loader arrived at the house on a predetermined day, as arranged, the driver walked around the car with a document, listing any marks etc, tire condition, Tax etc, then asked me to sign it. A month later i got a months payment returned to my bank account.

The second car was a DS3, this was only picked up yesterday, this time two guys from an auction house arrived in a car, again, walked around listing the cars condition, again, a scraped alloy... asked me to sign the form and they drove off with it.

You dont have to wait till the end of your lease if you have your eye on another car and want to change now. Just double check your contract.

Hi yeh that's for that, I am returning it 3 months early so I can get 17 plate in march

 

[[TW]Fox]

I have done this twice, both times i returned the cars early, as long as you have paid over 50% and not missed any payments, then it should not cost you a penny,

This is not true unfortunately - it doesn't apply to leasing, it applies to PCP's and Hire Purchase.

 

[DannyW]

This is not true unfortunately - it doesn't apply to leasing, it applies to PCP's and Hire Purchase.

My contract is only for 12 months but my plan is 2 years, you can deffo return the car, I've phoned and asked them

 

[Ev0]

With leasing it depends on your contract and provider rather than the blanket rules for PCP/HP so to any conditions around returning early.

I've known people where it's 50% of the remaining payments, others where the contract makes no mention of any early return charges.

 

[InQ]

Returned a Fiesta ST a few days ago and had to pay the 3 outstanding payments in full.
Damage wise I only got billed for one alloy being over 100mm,one other was sub this and 2 others were perfect do no charge.
Bodywork wise I had a fair big scuff under the front bumper and a light scuff on the rear bumper. None were mentioned so I don't think he spotted them! In fact he didn't seem to go over it in as much detail as I thought he would.
Alloy cost for refurb I don't know as yet but he said expect about £60.

Lease company was Alphabet and the inspector was from BCA.

I (well wife) now has a Leon as replacement, it's a Cupra Black Edition 290 and pretty decent actually.