Car Leasing News

The Internet is awash with “cheap” contract hire prices, however many of them do not exist in reality, or may not be quite as good as they first appear. Comparing quotes on a like for like basis can be difficult, as many companies fail to tell you if VAT is included or excluded within their rental, or what the initial rental might be for example. They do this so that you will contact them and if you have called up another company, after seeing a rental that was really competitive, have you ever been told “I’m sorry but these cars have now gone, but we can offer you…..”? This can be really frustrating and is the reason why all rentals on Comparecontracthire.com are frequently updated and are compared on the exact same terms.

The seven golden rules to make sure you are comparing quotes on a like for like basis are as follows

1. Are you comparing quotes on the “exact” same model?  – if you look at the manufacturer recommended list price (this is the basic price plus VAT) you will see if it is a current model year. Non-current models (old stock) may be offered to you, with different specifications to the vehicle you think you are ordering. You may not care if it is an old model, but better to know in case the bodyshape or accessory specification has changed. 
2. What are the rental payment terms being offered?  How many rentals do you have to put down and how many subsequent payments will you have to make?  – The bigger the initial payment, followed by longer payment periods, makes the headline rental look much lower than it actually is.
3. Is there a document fee upfront and if so how much is it?  – Some companies charge a document fee as well so divide this fee by the total number of rental payments, to see how much this adds to the monthly rental.
4. How long is the contract term? Your rentals will vary depending on the term and generally speaking, the longer the length of contract, the less expensive the car leasing rental becomes.
5. What is the annual mileage allowance being offered? – The smaller the annual mileage allowance provided the less your car leasing rental will be.  If you choose a lower contractual mileage, than your actual mileage, you will get an excess mileage bill when you send the vehicle back. So if you see an offer at 6,000 miles per annum, ask yourself is this really my annual mileage?
6. What type of contract hire is being quoted i.e. is it with or without maintenance and servicing being covered for example? – Make sure you know what is included in the contract and what is not.
7. Finally are you looking at the rental with or without VAT? – VAT will be added to any contract hire rental and your ability to reclaim this depends on your company status i.e. are you VAT registered? If you are a sole trader and you are not VAT registered then you should be looking at the rental including the VAT.

Comparethemarket.com is now offering business and personal contract price hire comparison, to its millions of visitors. They have partnered with Comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first car and van contract hire leasing price comparison site.

Comparethemarket.com visitors will now be able to compare prices directly from Arval, Days Contract Hire, Grosvenor Contracts, Hitachi Capital, Hyundai Contract Hire, Masterlease, jamjarcars, TCH Leasing, Chevrolet Lease, Saab Contract Hire, Vauxhall Leasing and FGA Contracts UK ( Fiat).

Robert Wastell, managing director of Comparecontracthire.com said ” I am delighted that Comparethemarket.com has entered into this new arrangement as it will help more customers, interested in vehicle finance, understand the benefits of contract hire versus ownership”

Comparecontracthire.com advises small businesses to ensure they are comparing like for like rentals, when comparing contract hire prices from several suppliers.

If after running through this checklist one supplier stands out, you know you are comparing “apples with apples”.

With the launch of the new Insignia, Vauxhall says goodbye to the Vectra model, with some amazing contract hire prices, reports comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first contract hire price comparison site for SMEs.

The following non maintained contract hire rentals, are just some of the selection of great offers for SMEs. All rentals shown below are based over three years, at 10,000 miles per annum, on a 3 payment initial rental followed by subsequent 35 rentals and are exclusive of VAT.  Other terms will be available directly from the site quote engines. Please note that if you are VAT registered, only 50% of the VAT applied to each rental shown, can be claimed back.

As this is also a “run out model” you need to act fast, if one particular offer appeals to you. However,  Vauxhall Leasing will be able to look for alternative cars if your exact choice is not available.

- Vauxhall Vectra Estate 2.0T SRi (Sat Nav) 5 Door @ £236.14

- Vauxhall Vectra Diesel Estate 1.9 CDTi Exclusiv (120) 5 Door @ £207.99

- Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback 1.8i VVT Exclusiv 5 Door @ £191.99 

Robert Wastell, founder of Comparecontracthire.com said ” There are clearly some great opportunities to drive a quality vehicle, with a proven track record, at prices that are really affordable. In the current economic climate, choosing the outgoing Vauxhall Vectra model, provides an excellent opportunity to save money, for any SME looking for their next vehicle”.

Robert went on to say ” The example prices shown are based on non maintenance contract hire. I would also recommend that SMEs look at prices including ”with maintenance” for added protection from future costs, which are all readily available off the site”.

Fleetnews.co.uk  announced today that they are launching a new SME online service for small to medium sized fleets.  The major part of their new offer is a link up with comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first business and personal contract hire price comparison site.

However the SME Fleet News site will also show;

- average and national fuel prices

- fuel cost calculator

- running cost database offering pence per miles figures

- residual values on over 6,000 model derivatives updated monthly

- road tests on all the latest cars and vans

- a SME toolkit including advice on vehicle choice, taxation, roads afety, risk management, motoring laws and travel planning.

Ian Richardson the Fleet News general manager said ” Our new online offering is designed to ensure we meet the needs of all SME’s running cars and vans”.

Robert Wastell, founder of comparecontracthire.com said ” I am delighted to be working with Fleet News on this initiative and I believe many SME’s will benefit from this new partnership”.

The simple answer to this question is to compare prices from multiple finance companies, however where do you start. There are hundreds of contract hire companies on the Internet, however not that many who actually supply the finance.

If only you could compare prices Direct from the finance companies life would be much easier. Well now it is following the launch of Comparecontracthire.com the UK’s first business and personal contract hire comparison site. All prices are imported into the site from the finance companies directly.

On an Audi A3 Diesel Cabriolet 1.9TDi Sport 2 Door Manual model, the least expensive price showing on the same standard terms is £267.45 excluding VAT and £347.98 excluding VAT from the most expensive finance company.

That is a whopping £80.53 a month difference over 38 payments, or a £3060.14 saving just by comparing prices on a like for like basis.

Every manufacturer make and model is on the site allowing you to pick and choose the right car at the right price.

Fiat has launched a new family friendly vehicle using the Grande Punto platform as a base.

This new Fiat is easy to manoeuvre like a super mini but has the space of an MPV.  There will be four versions of the new Qubo with two engine options. Fiat has fitted its award winning 1.3 diesel Multijet turbo diesel and a nippy 1.4 petrol engine. The two engine derivatives come in Active and Dynamic trim levels.

The 1.3 Multijet turbo diesel achieves a combined mpg of 62.8 mpg and a low CO2 figure of 119 g/km

Full business and personal contract hire pricing should be available shortly at Comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first contract hire price comparison site.

Ford goes into the New Year with impressive Green credentials. They have one of the UK’s most comprehensive range of green cars with low CO2 emissions.

The Ford Ka has a CO2 of under 120 g/km as do the new Ford Fiesta diesels which achieve 76.3 combined mpg and a CO2 figure of less than 100 g/km.

Ford has 185 models under 160 g/km emissions output thereby offering substantial savings to drivers and companies. They were also named Greenest Manufacturer in 2008 by Green-Car-Guide.com

The new Mercedes E Class offers outstanding comfort and safety plus an outstanding 53.3 mpg combined mpg. With CO2 emissions of 139 g/km this new model sets the benchmark for all round safety and economy in the executive car sector.

There are around 20 new or further technical enhancements with Mercedes using its BlueEFFICIENCY package to provide up to 23% fuel savings.

Chevrolet will launch a new mini car called the Spark at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

GM’s North American President Troy Clarke said ” The Spark will add great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel efficient small cars”.

Production on the Spark will start in Korea from late 2009 and it will go on sale in the UK in early 2010.