Select Car Leasing

[jon87]

Hi all,

Has anyone got any experience with using Select Car Leasing to take out a lease car? They seem to have some good prices for Black Friday.

I've never leased before, but my neighbour was telling me when he leased a car (not from select car leasing) and it was due to go back after the term end, he was sent an unexpected bill, and charged for a scratch on the side of the car which he knew nothing about it. He hadn't taken photos of the car either before sending it back.

Is this standard practice from lease companies? Direct from the manufacturer via PCP for the same mileage/car etc works out to be around £50 more per month so a significant difference over the 3 years. What is everyone's opinion of which option to take out of the two?

[SRGTD]

I’ve never leased a car before, but it is standard practice for the leasing company to make a charge for certain types of damage if a vehicle is returned with damage. An example of the types of damage and associated charges are at the link below;

https://www.arval.co.uk/sites/default/files/229/2024/09/Car%20damage%20charge%20matrix%20May%202024.pdf

Towards the end of the lease, it would always be worth checking out the cost of getting any damage repaired before returning the car; there are companies that specialise in end of lease vehicle repairs (these are often companies that carry out SMART repairs). Depending on the cost to repair, it can sometimes work out cheaper returning a vehicle with damage and accepting the lease company’s charges.

[neiln20]

I agree with SRGTD sometimes its cheaper to be charged then do the repair (and can be more convenient). I’ve leased cars for over 15 years but stopped as my last car went back during the chip shortages and with the market the way it was there was no great leasing deals so I ended up buying.

I’ve had cars go back 'mint' in my eyes and been charged, I’ve had cars go back with damage and had no charge. I’ve had the wrong milage noted and no been charged for excess milage. Usually the cars are collected, inspected during collection and can be sent straight to auction.

[Exonian]

With a lease you’ve got to see out the lease which may or may not be a good thing. With PCP you can move the car on easily if you’ve got equity in it, if for example you don’t get on with it or something else comes up.

[jon87]

Thanks all. Appreciate the replies, that's all good info to know.

I signed up for a lease deal yesterday for a BYD Dolphin. Will be keeping my GTI 7.5 but going to be selling my Polo. I didn't expect to go Electric tbh, but we have had electric chargers installed at work and they are free for employees so would save a lot in fuel costs.

The BYD was really impressive too compared to the VW electric cars. The battery is far more superior and can be charged to 100% unlike other batteries which recommend being charged to only 80%. The claimed range of the BYD Dolphin is 265 miles from one charge too, has more interior space than a Golf and is far cheaper than VW electric cars. Been with VW for over 20 years but can't imagine getting another one now after all the cost cutting.

[Exonian]

Good to see your update and choice of car.
The Chinese and Koreans seem leagues ahead when it comes to EV’s right now.