Welcome to Chevrolet Lease

To lease or not to lease

Car leasing isn’t as simple as it sounds. Hiding behind low prices can be conditions that make deals far less attractive. So what appears to be a great deal can end up costing you a great deal more. That said, what should you look out for if you’re thinking of leasing a car? The following ten-point plan should help.

1. Think big
If you’re going to lease a car, you want to be sure the leasing company will be there far into the future as well as today, and offer a wide range of models to choose from. There are smaller car leasing companies around but they tend to offer a limited selection and restricted service.

2. Think money
The monthly cost of leasing a car will be one of your biggest concerns. No surprise there. So do look for a competitive car leasing cost and make sure you have a selection to choose from within a price band rather than based on a single price point.

3. Think specs
Once you have your list of choices, compare what you’re getting for your money. If you want metallic paint, a sunroof, foglights or air conditioning, for example, make sure they’re listed in the vehicle description.

4. Think comfort
We all want top-of-the-range models that offer prestige and a comfortable ride. Beware, however, of going for the marque you desire - and ending up with the base model that doesn’t live up to the promise. A better approach is to decide what you really want and then look for the marque or model that gives you it all at the price you need.

5. Think in the long term
Now take a long hard look at the repayment patterns. Most car leasing companies ask for a three-month deposit followed by a fixed number of ongoing monthly payments - 35, for example, over a three-year term. Some, however, will increase the deposit or add another one or two payments to keep the initial price low.

6. Think mileage
If you’re going to be covering a lot of miles, make sure they’re covered in your contract because excess mileage charges can add to a car leasing cost considerably. Even if you only expect to do the average annual mileage of 10,000 miles, make sure you check.

7. Think service
Your lease car will need servicing to keep it running at its best. So look for a dealer network that will give you the support you need in a convenient location.

8. Think maintenance costs
Many leasing companies include the cost of replacement tyres, servicing and the use of genuine manufacturer’s parts in the deal. Some don’t which can end up in a surprisingly large and unexpected bill.

9. Think replacement vehicles
We don’t like to think about it - and it may never happen - but breakdowns can occur, often in the most awkward places. Does the car leasing contract include a replacement vehicle after 24 hours, for up to 28 days? And, importantly, will the vehicle be of a similar size and specification?

10. Think end-of-contract
Some companies load up charges at the end of a contract, make returning a vehicle inconvenient, or have unreasonable wear and tear policies. Ensure your leasing company follows the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) standards, endorsed by the RAC.

As you can see, car leasing does have a few pitfalls. Choose the right company, however, that ticks every box on the 10-point plan and you’ll enjoy the convenience and practicality of leasing a brand new car with the specs you want - and the price you need.