Leasing FAQs

What is the minimum/maximum lease period?

Contracts typically range from two to four years (24 to 48 months) depending on the vehicle and contract chosen. If you require a contract other than 24 to 48 months in length, please contact us to discuss your exact requirements.

Do I need to insure the lease vehicle?

It is the lease holders (your) responsibility to insure the lease vehicle. Some finance providers may offer an all-inclusive package including insurance for a fixed monthly price for the duration of your contract. In addition to insurance it may also provide cover for vehicle breakdown, and vehicle maintenance covering repairs and servicing requirements. Please ask us for further information if you are interested in this option. If your finance provider doesn’t offer this level of cover, or if you choose not to select this level of cover, then it is your responsibility to insure the lease vehicle.

What level of insurance cover is required?

You must ensure that your policy is fully comprehensive insurance. It is typically written in the finance companies contract and also noted in the terms and conditions, that the vehicle must be fully comprehensively insured for the duration of your lease contract. Fully comprehensive insurance provides peace of mind to both you and the finance company that the vehicle is covered for all insurable events. 

Who is the registered owner and keeper of the lease vehicle for insurance purposes?

For both personal and business contract hire, the finance company is both the registered owner and keeper of the vehicle for the duration of the leasing contract. 

How do I calculate my annual mileage?

To calculate your annual mileage, add up all the miles you spend driving your car in a week. And then multiply that number by 52

Try to include all journeys such as those below :

  • Work
  • University
  • College
  • Socialising
  • Running errands
  • Long trips and holidays

Rememeber to include any mileage named drivers may do in your car also. You can also use an annual mileage conversion table see below.

Mileage conversion table

Daily mileage      Weekly mileage   Annual mileage
3   21   2000
6   42   3000
9   63   4000
11   77   5000
14   98   6000
17   119   7000
20   140   8000
22   154   9000
25   175   10000
28   196   11000
31   217   12000
33   231   13000
36   252   14000
39   273   15000
42   294   16000
44   308   17000
47   329   18000
50   350   19000
53   371   20000
55   385   21000
61   427   23000
66   462   25000
72   504   27000
77   539   29000
88   616   33000
96   672   36000
110   770   41000
124   868   46000
137   959   50000

What is the difference between commuting and business mileage?

Driving to and from a fixed place of work such as your office, is known as commuting. HMRC does not class commuting as business mileage. Business mileage is using the vehicle to perform your job functions, such as making deliveries, off site client visits or taking clients out. A good example of a business user is a sales representative. While they may have an office that they commute to, they spend a large portion of their mileage allowance away from the office, travelling visiting clients, attending events etc this would be as classed a business mileage. Its important to include all commuting, and business mileage when calculating your annual mileage. 

What is the initial rental payment?

The initial rental payment is an advance rental that you choose to pay at the start of your contract. This is usually 1, 3, 6, 9 or even 12 monthly rental payments paid upfront at the start of your contract. This is normally collected by your finance company approximately 7-14 days post-delivery of your vehicle.

Paying a larger initial rental helps to reduce the cost of your regular monthly payments over the duration of your contract. Likewise, paying a smaller initial rental increases your regular monthly payments over the duration of your contract. Its important that you consider the affordability of the initial rental and the future recurring monthly payments, both now and if your circumstances were to change. The initial rental is non refundable and forms part of the hire agreement between you and the finance company.

When will I pay the initial rental payment?

The actual date that your initial rental payment will be collected is dependent upon the finance provider. Timescales for the payment being collected by direct debit, can vary between 14 to 30 days post delivery, taken on a date set by the finance provider. If you have any queries in relation to your payments we recommend contacting your funder directly to discuss, as the finance provider manages your direct debit agreement and billing information. Typically, you do not pay the initial rental until your funder activates your contract, which occurs post delivery. If this is the case you will not be required to pay the initial rental before you take delivery of your new car. Some finance providers may request payment of the initial rental prior to making delivery arrangements. If this is the case we will inform you of this during the process.

Is vehicle breakdown cover included in my lease?

Typically, manufacturers include either a minimum 12 month or 3 year breakdown cover on all new vehicles. The length and cover provided varies depending on the manufacturer. Levels of breakdown cover provided by manufacturers can change at any time, please check to ensure the cover provided meets your needs. 

Will my new lease car be covered by manufacturer warranty?

Yes, all the vehicles we supply come with the manufacturers warranty included. It is designed to protect the buyer from the financial burden of repairing any problems with the vehicle during initial ownership. Manufacturer warranties generally cover the cost of repairs to the following.

  • Engines and transmission
  • Fuel system
  • Air conditioning and cooling systems
  • Gear boxes
  • Corrosion/rust
  • Steering
  • Suspension
  • Safety systems
  • Non-frictional clutch and brake parts
  • Electric system

Warranty does not include consumable or “wear and tear” items such as tyres, batteries, windscreen wipers, brakes, belts, bulbs, fluids. Therefore, it is likely that you will have to pay for the replacement of these if they fail because they have worn. Manufacturer warranty does not cover cosmetic repairs, accidental damage and vandalism.

Do I need to pay for VED (car tax/road fund licence)?

All of the lease vehicles provided by Trio Leasing are covered for road fund licence by your monthly repayments, for the duration of your contract. Finance companies will calulate the annual cost of taxing the vehicle based on vehicle excise duty costs and CO2 bandings in place at the start of your contract and factor that in to your monthly repayments over the course of your contract. If during the course of your contract the VED cost increases, the increase in the costs will be spread over the remainder of your contract automatically adjusting your monthly rental payments. For both personal and business contract hire, the funder (your finance provider) as the registered owner of the vehicle, will ensure the vehicle is taxed annually for the duration of your contract. You can check the tax status of your vehicle at any time by visiting the DVLA website using this link https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax 

If you have any queries or concerns about the vehicle tax/road fund licence, please contact your finance provider directly.

Can I add a private registration plate to the lease vehicle?

Subject to obtaining the funder’s permission, there should be no problem with adding a private/cherished plate to a lease vehicle. Please note private/cherished plates can only be added post-delivery. You will need to contact your finance company directly, who may charge an administration fee for processing the amendment and holding the original age related plate on retention with the DVLA.

How will my new vehicle be delivered?

Your new vehicle will be driven to you by an appointed delivery agent of the supplying dealer and delivered to your registered home address for personal contract hire customers, or registered business address for business contract hire customers. The delivery address needs to match the home or business address on your completed proposal form, in addition to any proofs of address supplied to your funder as part of the application process.

Due to fraud prevention measures it may not be possible to deliver to an alternative address, such as a place of work or a family members home address. Authorisation would need to be granted in advance of delivery from your funder, often this is only granted in exceptional circumstances.

If you require your vehicle to be a transported delivery (the vehicle is delivered on a trailer/transporter as opposed to driven) this can be arranged, however, you would be responsible for any additional costs incurred. The price of a transported delivery varies due to delivery location and mileage please ask for a quotation.

Where possible, we try to arrange delivery at a time and date that is convenient for you. Deliveries generally take place Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00am and 6.00pm. Please be advised that during peak periods delivery availability from supplying dealers is limited and your preferred dates may not be available. Deliveries are offered on an all-day timeslot; we request that the delivery drivers call you on the day of delivery to provide an indication of their ETA, traffic permitting. 

How long does it take for a car "in stock" to be delivered?

“In stock” refers to vehicles that are in the UK and are available for delivery usually within 2 to 4 weeks. Please note, for personal contract hire customers, we are unable to deliver a vehicle until the regulatory cooling off period, imposed for your protection by the finance company has been observed. For both personal and business customers, we are unable to deliver a vehicle until we are in receipt of your signed finance agreement, admin/document processing fee.

I'm a personal contract hire customer, when does my 14 day cooling off period start?

For personal contract hire customers your regulatory 14 day cooling off period starts when your finance company accepts your fully completed, signed finance agreement. You have 14 days from your finance agreement being accepted by your finance company, to exit the contract without any penalty or costs being applied. The 14 day cooling off period is soley in relation to the finance product contract that you are entering into, and not the vehicle itself. 

How accurate are the delivery lead times provided by manufacturers?

The delivery lead time provided by the vehicle manufacturer at the point of order, is an estimatimation of the expected time from placing your order, to your vehicle arriving at the supplying dealer in the UK, for delivery on to you. Quoted delivery lead times represent our “best estimate” based on information provided by our brand supplier and do not constitute an obligation to supply the vehicle in the time specified.

Whilst we endeavour to ensure that delivery dates are as accurate as possible, delivery dates are subject to change by the manufacturer and on occasion delays do occur due to production delays at factory and transportation delays bringing the vehicle into the UK. We will do our best to keep you informed of any known changes to your vehicle’s estimated delivery date to allow you to make any necessary arrangements as a result of any delays. Trio Leasing has no control or influence over manufacturer lead times and will not accept any responsibility for any losses or inconvenience caused because of a delay from the manufacturer. Please be aware that Trio leasing ltd do not provide the provision of a hire vehicle in the event that your delivery lead time is put back by the manufacturer.

Is delivery and collection included?

We offer free GB mainland driven delivery of any vehicle leased through Trio Leasing Ltd. If you require your vehicle to be a transported delivery (the vehicle is delivered on a trailer/transporter as opposed to driven) this can be arranged, however, you would be responsible for any additional costs incurred. The price of a transported delivery varies due to delivery location and mileage please ask for a quotation. 

The vehicle will not be automatically collected by the finance company at the end of the lease term. Its important that you contact the finance company to provide them with your preferred collection arrangements, such as date/time/collection address etc. To arrange a suitable collection date/time, you are advised to contact the finance company at least 14 days before the lease expires to make collection arrangements directly with your finance company. It is your responsability to arrange the vehicle return in good time, to avoid additional rental charges being applied beyond your contract end date. Vehicles being returned must be presented in a condition which complies with BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidelines. Information and tips on returning your vehicle can be found by visiting the BVRLA website using this link https://www.bvrla.co.uk/resource/returning-your-leased-vehicle.html 

For business & perosnal contract hire agreements, the finance company will usually collect the vehicle for free at the end of the contract. However, the finance company may charge an abort fee, if the collection is cancelled at short notice or if the vehicle is not available when they attend on the agreed date.

If you require any support arranging the return of your lease vehicle at the end of your contract, please let us know and we will do our best to assist you. 

What level of damage is acceptable when I return my car at the end of contract and will I be charged?

Each funder we use has their own terms and conditions.  Below are the links to the funders own fair wear and tear guides. These are written in accordance with BVRLA guidelines to ensure that both you and the funder are protected and treated fairly in relation to any damage on the vehicle, and any charges applied at the end of your lease contract. You can request the fair wear and tear from the funder of your lease agreement online or over the phone. 

LeasePlan fair wear and tear guide

Leasys fair wear and tear guide 

Lex fair wear and tear guide 

Novuna fair wear and tear guide

The guides above relate to cars. If you lease a van through us, you can contact the funders directly, as the guidlines in relation to fair wear and tear for vans is different to cars. As commerical vehicles are used primarily to carry and transport goods, different levels of damage is expected for commercial vehicle use, compared to the typical use of cars. 

I have a question that is not answered here

If you have any questions that are not detailed above or if you would like more information on any of the topics covered, please call us on 01283 907100 or email us customerservice@trioleasing.co.uk