Motoring can be a complicated thing, especially for those with particular needs. If you have an active professional life, then you might feel that you don’t have time or energy to consider all of the options available. But, in many cases, choosing the right car, and the right way to get behind the wheel, can have major implications.
Among the most attractive options, and the one preferred by many professionals, is the lease. However, leases come in many different forms. Let’s consider a few of the key ones.
Understanding Car Leasing Options
If you want to lease a car, then there are several options available.
Personal Contract Hire (or PCH) involves paying a very small amount up front (often the same as your monthly payment), and then renting the car over an agreed-upon contract. You might think of it as similar to your mobile phone contract. If you can put down a larger deposit, then the size of your monthly payments may decrease, making it more cost-effective than a Personal Contract Purchase (though you won’t get the chance to buy the vehicle at the end of the period).
For those using the vehicle for business, a Business Contract Hire (or BCH) might be preferable. In this case, the party hiring the vehicle will not be a person, but a business. This makes it a flexible option for smaller companies looking to offer company cars to key members of staff.
Benefits of Including Maintenance Packages in Your Lease
Among the key considerations when deciding on a leasing package is the amount of maintenance that’s thrown in. In some cases, you’ll get services, new tyres, and breakdown cover. If the car being leased is reasonably new, then you won’t have to worry about the MOT (which is required only after three years).
What might not be covered is damaged caused by misfuelling, driver error, vandalism, or repair work that’s been inexpertly carried out. To be certain, it’s a good idea to check the small print.
Efficiently Managing Tyre Replacements
If tyre replacements aren’t covered as part of the leasing package, then you can often save substantially by buying your own tyres online and scheduling a fitting with a local service. This might be particularly worthwhile if you have special needs for your tyres, or if you’re leasing a rare vehicle that needs a particular set of them.
Scheduling Regular Vehicle Maintenance
The manufacturer of the vehicle you’re leasing might have outlined particular service intervals. Complying with these is advisable, whether you’re leasing or not. If you don’t service your car as regularly as the leasing company stipulates, then you could find yourself in violation of the leasing agreement. Plus, regular services tend to pay for themselves by helping you to avoid mechanical failures.
Leveraging Technology for Maintenance Reminders
It’s easy to forget to maintain your car, especially if you’re busy with other things. Thankfully, you can use digital tools, like productivity and calendar apps, to remind yourself of when maintenance is due. You might use these for regular chores like tyre inflation, and for arranging MOTs and services. In some cases, you might consider apps that are specially tailored toward providing reminders for vehicle maintenance.
