Car Lease Servicing and Maintenance Explained

Car Leasing Maintenance Packages and Servicing

Car Lease Servicing & Maintenance Explained: A big part of owning or leasing a car is caring for it. A leased car is a big responsibility since you’ve got it on a personal or business contract hire and you’ll have to return it in good condition at the end of the lease. To make this easier, one can get an optional car leasing maintenance package added on the deal, at an extra monthly cost. 

As far as servicing is concerned, there are many misconceptions... Do leases include maintenance? Should I get a maintenance package? Does this include servicing? The following covers everything  you need to know…

What is a car leasing maintenance package?

When you take out a lease on a car, leasing providers will give you the option to take out a maintenance package. This will be a set fee added onto your monthly lease payments or can be paid separately.

It can give you peace of mind when it comes to common wear and tear issues which can occur from normal use throughout your lease contract. It will also cover regular servicing to the vehicle.

What is car servicing?

In order to keep your new lease vehicle in the best condition, you must service it at regular intervals as recommended by the manufacturer. A car service is an important part of your lease agreement, as well as an important part of the manufacturer's warranty. By keeping your vehicle in a good condition with regular servicing, you will also be less likely to incur high garage charges or fair wear and tear charges in the future.

Do lease cars include maintenance?

So, who pays for servicing on a leased car? The answer to that depends on whether you pick car leasing with servicing included (maintence package). There are some lease deals with maintenance available upon request. 

There are many different car maintenance packages available in the market, and if you opt for one, it can get you the following perks and more:

• Routine maintenance for the leased car
• Repairs incurred from fair wear and tear
• Service management 
• Breakdown cover

These were the features that all of these deals tend to offer. Some car leasing maintenance packages are much more lucrative though. They may offer services such as cover for tyre replacement, MOT testing, etc. 

While a maintenance package has you covered for wear and tear problems mentioned above, there are a few things which you should be aware of.

The following won’t be part of the package:

• Vandalised or stolen parts or accessories.
• Vehicle repair work for damage caused by an accident.
• Damage caused by misfuelling.
• Broken or missing items.

Body and paintwork damage which exceeds normal wear and tear.

Why is maintaining your lease car important?

Maintaining a kease car is a no-brainer, especially a leased one. Here’s why:

No car lease penalties

It is a known fact that your vehicle will be evaluated when you return it at the end of the lease term. If it is in bad condition due to rough and carefree usage, you will be penalised. Anything outside the realm of fair wear and tear will cost you and it will be pricey. 

Lower running costs

But it isn’t just the lease provider that should coerce you into maintaining your car. A well-maintained car will run better and consume less fuel. 

Higher dependability

One of the reasons why a leased car is so preferable is because you get to drive it during its first three years; aka its best ones. Despite this, driving a car without maintaining it will turn it into an unreliable car that could break down at any time or at any place.

Is car lease maintenance worth it? 

A car lease with maintenance is recommended if you get the usual lease deal that lasts for +3 years. Otherwise, if you have a short-term car lease deal that is only good for a year or so, it isn’t really recommended to pay extra for an add-on maintenance package.

The best part about leasing with maintenance included is that even if parts and labour become pricier (which the UK is prone to), you still won’t be affected. This, and the fact that you’ll be paying less than what your car needs for servicing and repair, can make it very cost-effective.

So, should I get a maintenance package or not?

If you do a large amount of mileage e.g. 30,000+ per annum, then a maintenance package can be a sensible option. The more miles you do means there’s a higher chance of wear and tear on your car. By taking out a maintenance package, you’re protecting yourself from potential charges for exceeding wear and tear, which could end up costing more than the maintenance option.

On the other hand, the maintenance package may not be affordable on top of your monthly lease payments. If this is the case, and your lease agreement is 3 years or less, then it’s probably not worth adding the package on (but please do your own analysis!).

All brand-new cars are covered by manufacturer warranty, which will cover you for unexpected mechanical or electrical problems. So, if you can follow basic maintenance measures such as; oil checks and driving in a manner which keeps the car damage free, a maintenance package might not be required.

If you are unsure, you can always be given a quote with maintenance cover included, and how much it costs without. However, remember you need to keep the car in good condition, which includes routine servicing and repairs.

TIP: Manufacturer warranty will cover you for 3 years or up to 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), so make sure you check you lease deal falls within these limitations if you don’t go for a maintenance package.

What are the service intervals on my lease vehicle?

Service intervals differ depending on the make and model of the car, but as a general rule, a full car service is highly recommended every 12 months or every 12,000 miles. This is because some parts, such as oil and brake pads need checking more regularly than others, such as the fuel filter and spark plugs.

As every make and model is different, it is important you check your manufacturer's handbook to find out the required 'service intervals' are for your vehicle and what parts need replacing and when. 

If you do not have your manufacturer's handbook, you can visit the manufacturer’s website for servicing information. We have done the hard work for you and provide the links below:

• Abarth
• Alfa Romeo
• Audi
• BMW
• Citroen
• Cupra
• Dacia
• DS
• Fiat
• Ford
• Honda
• Hyundai
• Jaguar
• Jeep
• Kia
• Land Rover
• Lexus
• Maserati
• Mazda
• Mercedes-Benz
• MG
• MINI
• Nissan
• Peugeot
• Polestar
• Porsche
• Renault
• SEAT
• Skoda
• Smart
• Subaru
• Suzuki
• Tesla
• Toyota
• Vauxhall
• Volkswagen
• Volvo

Do I have to use a main-dealer to service my lease vehicle?

If maintenance is included in your lease agreement, you will need to contact the finance company (leasing company) to book your car into a local approved garage for its annual service and/or MOT (if required after 3 years). 

If you do not have a maintenance package included in your contract, you will need to arrange for the car to be serviced at the appropriate intervals as noted in your handbook or the manufacturers website. .

It is recommended to go to a local main dealer to have your car serviced. Most manufactures websites have a dealer locator search - so you just need to enter your postcode to filter through a list of your local dealers.

If you prefer to use a local garage, the garage must be VAT registered and must use genuine manufacturer parts on the car. 

Make sure that the service light on the dashboard is reset and that your service handbook is stamped (sometimes this is done electronically online). 

Please note, some finance providers, such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz, specify that the car must be serviced at an authorised dealership. 

Find Car Leasing Special Offers – AutoLease.Compare

Looking for the best car lease with maintenance included? Check us out at AutoLease.Compare to find the best car lease deals, based on your budget and requirements. Want to read more? Check out the cheapest electric car deals or if a car lease will affect your mortgage.