End of contract FAQs
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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 include 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.
- 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.
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An appraisal is carried out at point of collection where we ask all collection drivers to note any obvious damage. A full inspection of the vehicle will then be carried out once it arrives at our de-fleet centre. The vehicle will undergo a more detailed damage and condition assessment in a controlled inspection environment. Any additional damage that falls outside of the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental Leasing Association) Fair Wear and Tear guidelines will be recorded and a re-charge may be imposed.
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We wouldn't expect a vehicle to be returned in the same condition that we delivered it in at the beginning of the contract – fair wear and tear occurs no matter how carefully a vehicle is looked after, and happens when normal usage causes deterioration to a vehicle. It is not to be confused with damage which occurs as a result of a specific event or series of events such as impact, inappropriate stowing of items, harsh treatment or negligent acts.
All vehicle documentation including operation manuals, service books and any other documents relating to vehicle equipment must be intact and available. All documents must be inside the vehicle on its return. A full set of keys including the master key, spares and locking wheel nut keys, should be returned with the vehicle.
Accessories such as parcel shelves, load covers, restraining straps and nets must be returned with the vehicle. The spare wheel (including 'space saver'), jack and other tools must be intact, present and stowed properly, in the correct location and in good working order. The emergency tyre inflation canister, if supplied when new, should be in full working order, serviceable and ready for use. A canister that has been partially or fully discharged should be replaced.
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Light scratching is acceptable provided it does not interfere with the driver's line of sight and any heating elements still work properly. Chips, cracks or holes are not acceptable. Repaired chips within the driver's line of sight are not acceptable. Repaired chips outside the driver's line of sight are acceptable provided they are repaired to a professional standard and the work is under warranty. If it has passed an MOT this does not necessarily mean it is acceptable against the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear return standard. Missing, cracked or damaged door mirrors are not acceptable.
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Am I exempt from charges if I've had the vehicle repaired before handing it back? expandable section
We do not expect the collection drivers to identify if repaired damage is to the correct standard. Once returned to the de-fleet site, the vehicle will undergo a more detailed damage and condition assessment in a controlled inspection environment, to the BVRLA return standard. Any obvious evidence of poor repair, such as flaking paint, preparation marks, paint contamination, rippled and poorly matched paint, is not acceptable and a charge may be imposed.
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We’ll collect your vehicle between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Fridays, excluding bank holidays.
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The collection driver will make a note of any damage that is visible on the vehicle. The noted damage must be a true reflection of the vehicle's condition at the point of collection. The damage recorded at the point of collection is not necessarily the damage that you will be charged for as often small marks and scratches will be within guidelines for fair wear and tear.
When the vehicle arrives at one of our centres it will be inspected by one of our fully BVRLA trained Vehicle Assessors. This assessment will identify damage which is within or outside of the BVRLA fair wear and tear guidelines. It is this assessment that decides what damage you will be charged for.
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If an employee leaves your company, you can reallocate the vehicle to another driver or arrange to settle the contract early.
If you’re reallocating the vehicle, please let us know so we can update our records. You can call us on 0800 389 3690 between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
If you’d like to settle the contract early, please log in to Manage My Vehicle online portal to run and accept an early termination quote and arrange collection.
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If you want to return your vehicle before the end of your contract, you can run an early termination quote at Manage My Vehicle online portal. We usually charge an early termination fee for ending a contract early, which could be a significant cost depending on what time in the contract this happens.
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It’s not possible to purchase the vehicle at the end of the contract. Instead, please arrange for us to collect it at Manage My Vehicle online portal. .
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If you want to keep your vehicle for a set amount of time you may want to apply for a formal extension. If you don’t return the vehicle by your current contract end date, your contract will automatically roll into an informal extension.
Here are the main differences between the two:
Formal extension
Informal extension
Formal extension
Contract type
Informal extension
A formal extension is where you agree to keep your current vehicle under a new agreement, for a set amount of time.
If you only want to keep your vehicle for a short while, or you’d like more flexibility on returning it, you may want to think about an informal extension.
An informal extension means you carry on with your current agreement for a further amount of time, giving you the flexibility to return your vehicle when you like.
Your monthly rental amount may increase. So, it may be more cost-effective to formally extend your contract if you’re planning to keep your vehicle for a while or if your mileage allowance needs to be amended.
Formal extension
Time period
Informal extension
You can keep your vehicle for a total of five years, including your original contract and formal extension. So, if your current contract is for three years, the maximum length of your formal extension will be two years (24 months).
An informal extension is meant to be a shorter-term option. If you’re in an informal extension for over a year, we’ll be in touch to see whether it’s still the best option for you, and to talk about the potential return of your vehicle.
Formal extension
Early termination fees
Informal extension
If you return the vehicle before your contract finishes, you will need to pay an early termination fee, which could be up to 50% of your remaining rental payments.
There are no early termination fees as you’re keeping your current agreement on a rolling basis.
Formal extension
Your monthly rental amount
Informal extension
Your rental amount will change depending on how much you change your term and mileage.
It’s a good idea to understand whether you’re currently above or below your contracted mileage, as you can increase or decrease your allowance with a formal extension.
If you’re currently above your mileage, and you increase your allowance – it could reduce the risk of you being charged extra when you return the vehicle.
Or, if you’re currently below your contracted mileage – you could reduce your allowance. This may reduce your monthly rental amount; however, you won’t get refunded for any mileage you don’t use from your allowance when you return the vehicle.
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.
Formal extension
Your payments
Informal extension
We’ll keep invoicing you a month in advance.
We’ll change how we invoice you from a month in advance to a month in arrears.
If you decide to return your vehicle to us after your contract has ended and you take out a new vehicle lease at the same time, your monthly outgoings could be greater than you were expecting. This is because you may have a month’s rental to pay on the vehicle you’re returning and a rental payment on your new vehicle in the same month. If you’ve taken a payment holiday during your contract, you’ll make your first repayment at the same time too.
You can apply for a formal extension here. When you apply, we’ll run a credit check to make sure your contract is still affordable. If this isn’t successful, you’ll either need to return your vehicle or go into an informal extension.
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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.