A car lease is one of the most popular forms of finance if you’re in the market for a new car. You can think of it as a long-term car rental. You apply to lease a car for a certain period of time and make monthly payments over the duration. The big different between leasing and other forms of finance is that by leasing you essentially rent the car and do not own it. You can read more about car leasing in our guide: 'What is car leasing? A guide to Personal Contract Hire'

How does car leasing work?

You pay a set amount upfront (usually one, three or six-months’ worth of monthly payments) and then make regular monthly payments over a set period (usually two, three or four years). You’ll find both the initial payment and upfront payment is usually less than other forms of finance require. Once the duration of your car lease contract is up, you simply hand the car back to the finance company and are free to choose another lease deal or other form of finance.

How does car leasing differ from a PCP?

Along with car leasing, personal contract purchase (PCP) agreements are a popular form of financing a new car. The main difference between a lease and PCP is that you won’t have to pay a balloon payment at the end of your contract. A PCP on the other hand, gives you the option to pay a large amount of money to keep your vehicle. This is usually equal to the minimum guaranteed future value of the vehicle. Research has shown the vast majority of PCP customers choose not to pay the balloon payment. In these cases, they have essentially leased the car – but often while incurring higher monthly payments and deposits. You can read more about how leasing compares to other finance types in our guide: 'Leasing vs PCP vs HP'

Is car leasing for me?

Car lease deals are best for those that want a cost-effective and affordable way to get behind the wheel of a brand-new car. Choosing to lease will often get you a better car for a lower price when compared to other forms of finance. It’s great if you don’t want to keep the car forever and don’t mind handing the car back at the end of the contract. It’s also great if you’ve not a lot of time on your hands – leasing offers a hassle-free new car experience, with vehicles delivered and collected straight from your front door. If you plan on keeping the car forever, leasing probably isn’t for you. Unlike other forms of finance, you’ll rarely get the chance to buy the car outright at the end of your contract. If you don’t mind paying more to own a vehicle long-term, then another form of finance might be a better bet than a car lease deal.

Do I need a good credit score for a car lease?

Yes, you’ll usually require a “good” credit score if you want to lease a car. Some leasing companies offer options for people with lesser credit scores, but options are often more limited, and you may be required to pay a higher monthly payment. You can read more about the credit score required to lease in our guide: 'What credit score do you need to lease a car?'

Can I trade in my current car for a lease car?

This is sometimes possible if you are leasing a car through a main dealer, but it’s often best to sell your existing car first. We’ve teamed up with motorway to make that process as simple as possible for you.

Does car leasing include insurance?

No, while a car leasing rolls several monthly payments into a single package, insurance usually isn’t one of them. You’ll still have to take responsibility for arranging insurance from the day of delivery as insurance is generally not included. It’s also worth noting that a lease car will need to be insured on a fully comprehensive policy. Our lease car insurance guide has further info on insurance queries.

Does car leasing include servicing?

Most lease deals do not include servicing or maintenance as standard, but you can often choose to add a maintenance package into your deal. This covers things like annual servicing and sometimes wear and tear items like tyres too. This can vary depending on the lease deal in question, so it’s always worth asking the lease company and reading the fine print.

Will I be charged for going over my car lease mileage allowance?

All lease deals will give you an option to choose your annual mileage, this could be 5k per annum, 8k per annum, 10k per annum or even 20k per annum. If you go over your limit, at the end of the lease you may be required to pay an excess mileage charge. This is often a few pence per mile. You can always adjust your mileage allowance during your lease though, so flexibility is built in. It’s sensible to calculate your mileage allowance accurately – paying more miles you aren’t covering is just as costly as excess mileage charges for going over the limit.

What documents do I need for car leasing?

To apply for a lease deal, you’ll usually need proof of address, some form of photographic identification along with details of your employment. It’s just like applying for any other financial product. The lease company will use this to perform a credit check and make sure you can afford the payments. You can find more types of documentation that can be used in our guide: What documents do I need to lease a car?

How do I make an enquiry with Leasing.com?

Using Leasing.com is simple. We have more offers from more brokers than any other lease comparison site. Use our filters to find a car and deal profile that suits you, then simply make an enquiry by hitting the “Get a Quote” button. Our advertising partner just need a few simple details, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. Then just sit back and wait.

How does Leasing.com work?

Leasing.com is a comparison site and hosts millions of lease deals from the UK’s leading brokers, dealers, finance companies and car manufacturers. Once you’ve found a deal you like, we send your enquiry to our partner. From this point, they’ll keep in touch with you to keep you updated about your application’s progress and your vehicle delivery date.

Does Leasing.com supply the cars?

No. We are the largest comparison marketplace. We put you in touch with the broker of your choice after you’ve found the perfect lease deal. We do not offer or arrange vehicle finance ourselves.

Why should I use Leasing.com to find my lease deal?

9 out of 10 lease customers say that they found the best price on Leasing.com. We’re the UK’s most trusted lease marketplace and only work with the most reputable and reliable partners. Every advertising partner on our site must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and adhere to our Code of Conduct.

Smart Car Leasing Deals & PCH Offers

Smart Lease Deals

The Smart has become one of the most recognisable cars on the road today. Despite being two decades since the original launched, it’s still a fantastic choice for those wanting a compact and versatile city car. There’s never been more choice if you’re looking to lease a Smart, with numerous models on offer to suit a range of customers.

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