Q What are the pros and cons of Business Car Leasing and Personal Contract Hire?

There are lots of reasons why leasing or hiring a car through Dick Lovett is a great idea but, of course, you still have responsibilities and you won’t own the vehicle at the end of the contract hire period. Here we’ve set out the key points of the leasing deals:

Pros

• Drive a brand new car every few years
• Low initial outlay - typically equivalent to 3 months rental payment
• Fixed, manageable monthly payments – helps with manage cash flow and enables you to drive a better car for your budget
• Choice of contract term - from 24 to 48 months
• Option to include servicing and maintenance
• If you run a business, there are tax benefits – car lease costs can be up to 100% allowable against corporation tax depending on its Co2 emissions, and you can reclaim 50% of the VAT on the monthly rental cost
• No depreciation to worry about -  at the end of the contract, the vehicle is simply handed back so no worries about resale value or having to dispose of it
• Hassle free – everything is taken care of by the dealer and finance company
• Road tax, manufacturer’s warranty and breakdown cover is included
• Only have to pay for fuel and insurance

Cons

• You don’t own the car and there is no option to buy it at the end of the contract
• You will need the amount of mileage you need and if you go over this, you will have to pay an excess mileage charge
• If you decide to end the contract early, you may incur charges
• You must return in a well-maintained condition. If not, there will be extra charges to pay
• You must pay for fully comprehensive insurance cover