Returning a lease car

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AJB Audi

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There have been a few threads recently with people taking out a lease on a new A4 and I have also noticed that there are some very good deals at the moment, particularly if you source directly through a main dealer.

But, I wondered whether anyone has any real world experience of returning cars at the end of the lease?

I realise that there are guidelines for fair wear & tear and similarly if the wheels get kerbed or you suffer supermarket car park dings on your watch then it will be your responsibility to pay for these to be put right.

However I wondered whether anyone has returned a car and felt the every opportunity was being found to impose punitive charges and all of a sudden the original 'good deal' was not such a good deal after all?
 
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The returns process is listed very clearly in the T&C when you take out the lease. The longer the lease the more 'fair wear & tear you're allowed. (They obviously understand that a 4 year lease car will have more wear & tear than an 18 month lease car.

All tyres must be at lease legal and no worse. An acceptable number of stone chips but you're right. Supermarket dinks and badly kurbed alloys will require attention before return day.

We're on our 4th lease car now and never been charged a penny come return time. That's because I look after them as if they were my own pride and joy. Clean them weekly (because I love a clean car). Existing car (E Class) going back at end of Jan one month early to avoid paying major service cost (£520) a little leasing trick that MBFS actually told me over the phone.

Basically if you really look after your cars then leasing deals can be good.

More than happy to answer any other questions. PM me if you'd rather.

Ant.
 

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They will just use the bvrla fair wear and tear guide, to be honest if your car being returned is outside of what is actually a relatively generous guide then it's not really been looked after.

I used to be the bloke in the main dealer that sold the leases, I worked for a VW / Audi franchise, there are no smoke and daggers, besides when you hand it back you can always and very often successfully counter what they say.
 
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I’ve literally just returned a car two weeks ago and the collection agent told me some lease companies are far more lenient than others. Despite the bvrla guidelines.

I’ve only had the slightest of scratches on mine and never been charged anything. I think as long as your wear and damage etc falls within the guidelines you are given it’s unlikely you will be charged. However I’ve also heard that the charges are very reasonable.
 
A4AvantBlackEdition said:
I’ve literally just returned a car two weeks ago and the collection agent told me some lease companies are far more lenient than others. Despite the bvrla guidelines.

I’ve only had the slightest of scratches on mine and never been charged anything. I think as long as your wear and damage etc falls within the guidelines you are given it’s unlikely you will be charged. However I’ve also heard that the charges are very reasonable.
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Some collection agents are more lenient than others.
 
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happytalk73 said:
How's the new Avant going Ian? Any regrets on the black paint?
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It’s going superb. Thanks mate.

As for the black... I have to say I don’t regret it at all. I definitely prefer the black over white (which we’re my only options without a cost) and I love it.

Granted, within 15 minutes of cleaning it on Sunday it was filthy. But then the weather is rubbish so I wasn’t surprised.

Although the wax I have on it makes it a doddle to clean and go from filthy to looking very clean in 10 or 15 mins.

I actually enjoy cleaning and detailing a car so I’m happy to get up early on a sunday and do what’s needed.

But over all I love the car.
 
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Urban Sports said:
Some collection agents are more lenient than others.
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Well, yeah. That too. But he did say that my lease company was particularly lenient when it comes to damage. Mine went back it’s a (well repaired) scuff on the rear boot lip but he didn’t even notice it.
 
If it needs work then get it done, try and save yourself a big bill.
 
I returned my last car at the end of September. I have to agree with the others above - I'd looked after it and there were no charges. The collection agent gave it the once-over, told me it was in lovely condition for the mileage (4yrs, 125k miles) and drove it straight to the auction.
 
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AJB Audi said:
There have been a few threads recently with people taking out a lease on a new A4 and I have also noticed that there are some very good deals at the moment, particularly if you source directly through a main dealer.
Click to expand...

I have found the best deals were with brokers, despite their fees.

Never had any charges but I am a weirdo who looks after cars well, even if I don't own them.
 
Nickfrog said:
I have found the best deals were with brokers, despite their fees.
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Is there a broker you would recommend?

I have just looked at some current prices being offered for 1.4 S line, manual, 8,000 miles per year for 24 months on a personal (VAT inclusive) lease and found the following:

Freedom Contracts - £6,489 + £360 fee = £6,849 total price over two years.

Brokers, via Parkers.co.uk
V4B - £5,523 + 360 = £5,883
Fleet Prices - £5,745 + 299 = £6,044

Main dealers, via Whatcar.com
Crewe Audi - £5,707 + Nil
Milton Keynes Audi - £5,714 + Nil

I appreciate that this is only one model and with so many variables there is plenty of scope for differing prices but in this case I'd be tempted to cut out the middle man and go direct to a dealer? Happy to be corrected or steered in a different direction if I a missing something?
 
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No you might simply be right and me wrong!

I just ordered and will be paying £6,312 inc fees for a 1.4 S-Line Avant on 10k/24months through http://www.1stchoicevehicleleasing.co.uk/

I checked a couple of dealers but they couldn't match although I didn't check Whatcar, which might be a mistake!
 
AJB Audi said:
Is there a broker you would recommend?

I have just looked at some current prices being offered for 1.4 S line, manual, 8,000 miles per year for 24 months on a personal (VAT inclusive) lease and found the following:

Freedom Contracts - £6,489 + £360 fee = £6,849 total price over two years.

Brokers, via Parkers.co.uk
V4B - £5,523 + 360 = £5,883
Fleet Prices - £5,745 + 299 = £6,044

Main dealers, via Whatcar.com
Crewe Audi - £5,707 + Nil
Milton Keynes Audi - £5,714 + Nil

I appreciate that this is only one model and with so many variables there is plenty of scope for differing prices but in this case I'd be tempted to cut out the middle man and go direct to a dealer? Happy to be corrected or steered in a different direction if I a missing something?
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I have gone through Crewe audi for mine by far the cheapest but leasing options would match it but I think there might have been a fee to pay unlike Crewe
 
Looking at figures, Audi Crewe were the same price at 8k than the broker at 10k (inc fees). Probably £10 / month in it therefore.
 
Redders81 said:
I have gone through Crewe audi for mine by far the cheapest but leasing options would match it but I think there might have been a fee to pay unlike Crewe
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Hehe. Other way around for me. Ordered mine through Leasing options (Chris Sykes) because Audi Crewe couldn't beat the deal.

Total overal cost was cheaper even including Leasing Options £199 fee.

Prices changing all the time so trying to find the ultimate cheapest company is impossible.

Audi of Carlisle (nearest dealer to me) was a whooping £150pm dearer than I got from leasing options. It's a shame. I always like to use local companies if/when possible but not willing to pay that much over the odds.
 
It's often worth asking for their damage charges before returning a car, they have a fixed list of prices and it can be cheaper to just let them charge you rather than getting the wheels refurbished etc.

I've just returned a BMW and the auction people that picked it up gave me an invoice for £390+VAT for curbed diamond cut wheels and a chipped windscreen which they said wasn't repairable. BMW waived it though and didn't charge me.
 
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