SME business leasing FAQs

Business Leasing or Contract Hire is a rental agreement with a fixed cost.

You choose the manufacturers and models of vehicles that you want and agree the terms of the agreement, such as the maximum annual mileage and length of agreement and initial rental amount followed by fixed monthly rentals to suit your budget. You can include our optional maintenance and breakdown cover, so we manage and maintain the vehicles. The cost would be included in your monthly rental amount, meaning you can pay one fixed monthly payment.

To find out more about the business leasing options we have available, please visit our business leasing pages.

If you're an existing customer, your relationship manager can also talk through the options for your business with you.

If you'd like an update on your order, please speak to your broker or dealer.

Vehicle lead times vary between manufacturers and models, and all dates are estimated and may change. The industry is currently seeing a challenge with supply because of a shortage of semiconductor chips, production delays from COVID-19 and continued increase in demand.

How you arrange and pay for routine servicing, maintenance and MOTs will depend on if you have maintenance included in your agreement. If you’re not sure, please check your original agreement documents.

You need to show us a service record when you give your vehicle back at the end of your contract, so please make sure you’re booking it in for regular services. If you don’t, you may face additional charges. Your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation found in your vehicle handbook and online will let you know how often you should be servicing your vehicle.

It’s also important to keep on top of maintenance checks. For example, keeping tyre tread depth within legal limits and fluid levels topped up. If you spot any warning lights, use your vehicle handbook to find out what they mean.

If you don’t have a maintenance package:

Booking an MOT

You can use any garage you’d prefer to book your MOT. Kwik Fit is our preferred supplier, and we’ve agreed specific rates with them which may be more cost-effective for you. To book, please get in touch with them directly, letting them know that you’re a Lex Autolease customer.

Checking and fixing your lights, tyres and windscreens before your MOT appointment may help to reduce the amount of time your vehicle is off the road.

Booking routine servicing or maintenance

To book routine servicing or maintenance for your vehicle, please speak to your local franchised dealer and they’ll let you know when the next available appointment is.

If you don't have a maintenance package with us, you're responsible for the costs for servicing, maintenance, and MOTs of the vehicle. This includes any general maintenance costs and tyre replacements.

If you have a maintenance package:

You can manage your vehicle through the Lex Autolease Driver Portal. Here you’re able to book an MOT, and routine servicing and maintenance including tyre replacements. You can choose a garage based on location, select preferred dates, and receive instant booking confirmation. 

You can also:

• Speak to your local franchised dealer, and they’ll let you know when the next available appointment is.
  
• Book directly with our supplier, Kwik Fit, by calling 0330 123 1590 between 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday or going in to one of their local centres.

Checking your lights, tyres and windscreens and arranging to have them fixed before your MOT appointment may help to reduce the amount of time your vehicle is off the road.

If you have a maintenance package as part of your agreement, your routine service and general maintenance costs are included. Your MOT’s, tyres and other general maintenance needs are also covered if they fall under general fair wear and tear. You can find out more about what is and isn’t covered in the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental Leasing Association) Fair Wear and Tear guidelines. Any repairs that are needed because of damage, theft, vandalism, driver neglect or misuse aren’t covered by maintenance agreements so will be charged.

Before your vehicle's contract finishes, please log in to our online portal managemyvehicle.co.uk and arrange for us to collect it.

What to do before the vehicle is collected

• Check your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition with a valid MOT. If you need help with vehicle roadworthiness, visit gov.uk/check-vehicle-safe for useful advice and guidance.
  
• If you have a petrol or diesel vehicle, please make sure the fuel tank is at least a quarter full. If you have an Electric Vehicle, please make sure it’s fully charged.
• Please remove all personal belongings and remove any personal information from electronic devices.
• It’s important to keep your vehicle insured until we collect it.

Items to be included when the vehicle is collected

• Any accessories supplied on delivery, including charging cables if you have an Electric Vehicle.
  
• Wheel security key (if applicable).
• All vehicle operating manuals.
• Service book (if applicable), recording a history of service for the vehicle which meet manufacturer guidelines.
• All keys associated with the vehicle. Some vehicles now have a coded master key that includes a transponder for added security. These keys are easily identifiable and are often colour coded. It is your responsibility to make sure the master key and the spare key are returned along with the vehicle, and we will charge for any replacements needed. 

What happens on the day of collection?

Our collection agent or supplying dealer will assess the vehicle, record the mileage, and give you a vehicle collection report. This can sometimes take over an hour to complete, depending on the vehicle and the number of items to be handed over.

With Contract Hire you may be able to formally extend a vehicle’s contracted term, up to maximum 5 years from the original start date and / or change the annual mileage allowance. This could help spread the cost of additional mileage over the remaining term, or reduce the monthly rental where vehicles are tracking under mileage. 

If you’re registered for Manage My Vehicle, you can get a quote online to see how changes could affect your monthly rental. 

Any changes to your agreement are subject to status and credit checks, which could affect your credit file. We’ll ask your permission before doing any checks. 

If you want to keep your vehicle for longer than your contracted term, but don’t want to formally extend your contract, you’ll automatically roll into an informal extension. Your rental amount may increase, as the benefit of the larger initial payment you made at the start of the contract will no longer reduce your monthly payments. You can find how much your monthly payments will be if you go into an informal extension in your original agreement.

At the end of your contract, we’ll let you know what repayments you’ll need to make. This may mean you’ll continue to make payments after you’ve returned your vehicle. We’ll include how you can repay early, if you can afford to do this.

If you’d like to repay your payment holiday sooner, you can do this by calling us on 0800 302 9160 and select option 3. We’re here from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays.