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Author: Beth Twigg | Reading Time: 15 minutes | Published 27/08/2025
Author: Beth Twigg
Reading Time: 15 minutes
Published 27/08/2025
Every month, thousands of people around the UK are asking the same question: should I lease or buy my next car?
The short answer? It depends.
The longer answer?
That’s what this guide is for.
We’re here to put the ease in your next car lease, cutting through the jargon and giving you the honest, expert advice you need to make the right decision for your situation.
Polestar 4
You pay a monthly fee to drive a car for a set period (usually 24-48 months), then give it back. Think of it like a long-term rental, but with better cars and no dodgy previous drivers.
It’s basically like upgrading your phone contract, but for cars.
You get all the benefits of driving a brilliant new car without the hassle of ownership, depreciation, or unexpected repair bills.
Here’s what you need to know:
Common misconception busted: Car leasing isn’t just for businesses or flash company directors. It’s for anyone who wants to drive a better car for less money, with maximum convenience and minimum fuss.
Let’s work through exactly what happens when you lease a car.
Spoiler alert: it’s much simpler than you might think.
Browse our deals online or contact one of our experts.
You’ll want to consider your budget, how many miles you’ll drive, and what features matter most to you.
Need it quickly? Check out our in-stock lease cars for faster delivery.
We can give you a personalised quote with no hidden fees.
You’ll know exactly what you’ll pay upfront (initial payment) and your monthly cost, plus everything that’s included, and any optional extras you might want.
No nasty surprises.
And that’s a promise.
It’s a simple application process that won’t take hours.
The organisation funding the lease deal will conduct a full credit check and assess affordability based on the cost of your lease and your income.
It can take up to 24 hours for the process to take place and a decision to be made, but you’ll receive an email to let you know whether you’ve been approved or declined.
Don’t worry too much if your credit score isn’t perfect – we work with multiple lenders to find you the best price, so it’s not always a deal breaker.
Choose from factory-fresh cars (delivery can take several months, but the car is more customisable), or in-stock vehicles (generally a 2-4 week delivery time).
Drive away happy knowing road tax, manufacturer warranty, and breakdown cover are all included.
Add a maintenance package for complete peace of mind.
When your lease ends, simply arrange collection and hand back the keys.
You’re then free to move on to a new car – and we can help you upgrade to something even better.
Could car leasing make you this happy?
Let’s be completely transparent about what car leasing actually costs.
Because we believe you deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for, with no hidden surprises.
| What you pay | What it covers | When you pay it |
| Arrangement fee | This one-time fee covers everything we do to put you in the driving seat and support you throughout your lease. | When you place your order |
| Initial payment | Usually equivalent to one, three, six or nine monthly payments | Within two weeks after delivery |
| Monthly payments | Use of the vehicle for the agreed term | Monthly by Direct Debit, starting one month after delivery |
| Optional maintenance | Servicing, repairs, tyres, MOTs, disposables | By Direct Debit after delivery |
| Additional charges | For damage beyond fair wear and tear, or excess mileage | Once the car has been returned to the funder |
Popular family choice: Nissan Qashqai
£195.92 per month | £1,763.28 initial payment | 24 months | 5,000 miles per year
Perfect for the school run and weekend adventures.
Budget-friendly option: GWM ORA 03
£178.00 per month | £1,602 initial payment | 48 months | 5,000 miles per year
Brilliant electric car that won’t break the bank.
Premium electric: Polestar 4
£379.28 per month | £3,413 initial rental | 24 months | 5,000 miles per year
Cutting-edge Scandi luxury with up to 385 miles of range (WLTP Comb).
New car leases come with all the mod cons you could ever need
Personal leasing gives you all the joys of driving a brilliant car without the financial stress of ownership.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants predictable monthly costs that won’t suddenly spike when your car decides it needs a new clutch, timing belt, or any of those other expensive bits that always seem to fail just after the warranty expires.
The flexibility is brilliant too.
Life changes, and your car needs might change with it.
Got a promotion? Upgrade to something more executive. Started a family? Move to a larger car. Moved somewhere with better public transport? Downsize to something more economical.
With leasing, you’re never stuck in the wrong car for too long.
It’s particularly brilliant if you’re someone who gets excited about new car tech, value reliability, or just wants to simplify their motoring costs.
Popular personal lease models:
Business leasing isn’t just about getting a nice car – it’s a smart financial move that can improve your cash flow, reduce your tax bill, and keep your business in the good books with your accountant.
Here’s the clever bit: lease payments are usually tax deductible as a business expense, and you can reclaim VAT on qualifying vehicles.
Meanwhile, you’re not tying up capital in a depreciating asset, leaving more cash available for growing your business.
Whether you’re a sole trader wanting to make a good impression at client meetings, or you’re providing company cars for employees, business leasing offers flexibility that buying simply can’t match.
Employee leaving? Hand the car back without worrying about depreciation. Business growing? Add more vehicles without massive capital outlay.
Many businesses also offer salary sacrifice schemes, where employees can choose their own lease car and save on tax and National Insurance.
It’s a brilliant employee benefit that costs the business nothing but goodwill.
Popular business lease models:
Add a maintenance package and everything car-related (except fuel and insurance) will be taken care of without a big bill causing you a headache.
Maintenance packages include:
Ford Capri and Ford Explorer
If you’re thinking about going electric, leasing is hands down the smartest way to do it. Here’s why thousands of people are making the switch…
Electric car tech is evolving at breakneck speed.
Battery ranges are getting longer, charging times are getting shorter, and new features are being added all the time. When you lease for two-three years, you’re always driving something cutting edge.
There’s no worrying about your EV becoming outdated or losing value – that’s someone else’s problem.
And when it comes to range anxiety?
Not as much of a problem as you might think. Most people actually overestimate how much they drive.
You’ll likely even find that you’ll save money.
Electricity costs roughly 3-7p per mile versus 15-20p for petrol – potentially £1000+ saved annually.
Add in lower road tax, lower servicing costs, and no oil changes, and you could keep more of your cash where you want it.
In your pocket.
Car leasing could be the right choice for you too
This is the big question, isn’t it?
You’ve read about how leasing works, you’ve seen the benefits, but you’re still wondering whether it makes sense for your specific situation.
The truth is, leasing isn’t for everyone – and we’d rather be honest about that upfront than try to convince you to take out a deal that doesn’t fit your lifestyle or financial goals.
So, let’s cut through the sales speak and give you a proper, no-nonsense assessment.
Here’s how to figure out if car leasing is your perfect match, or if you’d be better off looking elsewhere.
Leasing might be perfect if:
Leasing might not be right if:
There are a few concerns that almost everyone has about leasing, and chances are you’re thinking about at least one of them right now.
We hear these questions every day, so let’s address them head-on with some straight answers.
‘But I don’t own anything at the end!’
True, but you also don’t lose thousands in depreciation. Your car loses value, but that’s not your problem with leasing.
‘What about mileage restrictions?’
You can choose a mileage that fits your lifestyle. Most people overestimate how much they drive – the UK average is just 7,400 miles per year.
‘What if I need to end early?’
We offer flexible options and can work with you if your circumstances change. Life happens, and we get that.
Honda Jazz
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and what works brilliantly for your mate might be completely wrong for you.
Here’s how leasing fits into various life stages and situations – you might just find yourself in one of these scenarios.
Just started your first proper job? Leasing can be a good way to build credit while driving a reliable car that won’t let you down.
You’ll avoid the stress of unexpected repair bills on an old banger, and you can upgrade as your career (and salary) progresses. Plus, if you’re a new grad, some schemes include car allowances that work perfectly with lease payments.
Perfect for: building financial responsibility, impressing at client meetings, reliable daily commuting
Consider: Smaller, efficient cars like the Peugeot 208 or MG4 EV for low running costs
When you’ve got little ones, safety and space become non-negotiable.
Leasing means you can afford a newer car with the latest safety tech, ISOFIX points, and all those clever features that make family life easier.
Seven-seaters that used to be way out of budget?
Now they’re within reach, and you can upgrade to something bigger (or smaller) as your family changes.
Perfect for: Latest safety features, flexible space, predictable budgeting for family finances
Consider: Seven-seaters like the Peugeot 5008, or safe family SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai
First impressions matter in business, and arriving in a smart, reliable car says good things about you and your company.
Business leasing can be tax-efficient, improves cash flow, and means you’re not tying up capital in depreciating assets. Whether you’re visiting clients or need a company car for employees, leasing keeps things simple and professional.
Perfect for: Professional image, tax efficiency, cash flow management, employee benefits
Consider: Executive saloons like the BMW 3 Series, or impressive EVs like the Tesla Model 3.
At this stage of life, you want comfort, reliability, and no nasty surprises.
Leasing gives you predictable monthly costs, no MOT or service worries (with a maintenance package), and the confidence that comes with a manufacturer warranty.
Plus, you can still enjoy driving something nice without the depreciation hit if you were to buy.
Perfect for: Financial predictability, hassle-free motoring, enjoying premium cars without the premium price
Consider: Comfortable, well-equipped cars like the Volvo XC60 or Nissan Juke
Want to reduce your carbon footprint but worried about electric car tech changing quickly?
Leasing is perfect – you get the latest EV tech, and when something better comes along in two or three years, you can upgrade.
No worrying about battery degradation or resale values, just clean, quiet driving and lower running costs.
Perfect for: Access to latest green tech, lower environmental impact, future-proofing against emission zones
Consider: Long-range EVs like the Hyundai IONIQ 6, or affordable options like the MG4 EV
Tesla Model Y
So, you’re convinced that leasing might be for you.
Now what?
Don’t worry – we’ve guided thousands of people through this process, and we’ve got it down to a fine art. Here’s everything you need to know to get started on the right foot.
A little preparation goes a long way. Before you pick up the phone or start browsing our best lease deals, gather up:
Before diving in, think about what actually matters to you:
Where might your car lease take you?
Here’s some insider knowledge: the best deals aren’t always the ones with the flashiest headlines. Look for:
The quick-fire, step-by-step process to get you from quote to keys:
Ready to get started?
You pay a monthly fee to use a car for a set period (typically 24-48 months), then return it. It’s like a long-term rental but with better cars and more flexibility.
Monthly payments are typically lower than finance payments, and you avoid depreciation. However, you don’t own the car at the end. The best choice depends on your situation and preferences.
Possibly. We work with multiple lenders and can often find solutions for people with less-than-perfect credit. Get in touch with our experts to chat through your options.
You’ll pay an excess mileage charge, typically 5-24p per mile depending on the car. Choose a realistic mileage limit to avoid nasty surprises.
Yes, though early termination charges may apply. We’ll work with you to find the most cost-effective solution if your circumstances change.
GAP insurance can be useful to have in your back pocket, as it covers the ‘gap’ between what the insurance company will pay you and the amount left on your finance should the worst happen and your car be written off.
*Prices shown are examples and correct at the time of publishing. All deals subject to availability and status. Delivery charges may apply based on distance.
