When thinking about the cost of leasing a car, it’s important to think about the servicing costs. This is a necessary additional cost and while thinking about this, you might want to consider adding a maintenance agreement to your lease contract.
But what is a maintenance agreement? And, do I need it?
We understand that sometimes it’s difficult to know if an extra cost is worthwhile or not and we talk this through with our customers every day at OSV, which is why we’ve written an article talking about what the maintenance agreement is, its benefits, and whether it would be right for you.[vc_single_image image=”4381″ img_size=”article-image”]
What is a Maintenance Agreement?
First things first, what exactly is a maintenance agreement?
A maintenance agreement is an extra fee each month that covers the servicing costs for the entirety of your lease contract. This is ideal for those who don’t want to be out of pocket when the time comes to get their lease car serviced as this can be pricey.
Who is the Maintenance Agreement For?
Generally, if you are doing a lower mileage then it’s usually more beneficial for you to pay for the servicing as you go. This is because, due to the fact that you are doing lower mileage, you won’t be replacing the tyres or the brakes. So, the chances are you won’t need a maintenance agreement.
However, if you are doing higher mileage it’s definitely something that you should consider. There are many reasons why you should consider this but we’ll come to that in a bit.
How Much Will a Maintenance Agreement Cost?
As with everything to do with car leasing, it depends. Though the payments are a fixed monthly fee, the price of that monthly fee depends on the length of the contract and the annual mileage.
What is Included in a Maintenance Agreement?
All maintenance packages include all routine servicing such as oil and filter replacement, replacement tyres and other repair costs that might be required to keep you up and running for the year. These are things such as;
- Mechanical and electrical repairs or replacements, including associated parts and labour due to fair wear and tear
- Bulbs, batteries, exhausts, cam belts, wiper blades, alternators and starter motors
- MOT tests
- Unlimited premium branded tyre replacements including valves and balancing
- Free mobile tyre-fitting service at a location of your choice (subject to availability, that is)
- Depending on the lease company, there will also be no charge for punctures or damaged tyres.
What is Not Included in a Maintenance Agreement?
Okay, so we’ve listed what is included in your maintenance agreement so let’s look at the things that are not;
- Repairs or replacement parts that are due to driver error or driver induced faults
- If the clutch is worn because it’s been ridden or you’ve been running the car low on oil and it has caused the damage to the engine, it won’t be covered in the maintenance agreement. So take care of your vehicle.
- Repairs due to accident damage
- This includes dents, bent panels etc.
- Missing or broken items
- For example; bent aerials, missing hubcaps, scuffed alloy wheels or cracked lamp units due to negligence.
- Vandalised and stolen wheels and/or tyres
- Damaged windscreen and/or glass replacement
- This will usually be covered with your insurer and will not affect your no claims bonus.
- Typically, a replacement windscreen can be fitted either at home or work within a few hours
- Putting the incorrect fuel in your car
- This isn’t covered, because it’s classed as driver negligence. Again, take care of your vehicle.
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How Does a Maintenance Agreement Work?
So, how does it actually work?
Well, your leasing company will give you free service booking and management service, so you don’t have to worry about that.
You also won’t have to worry about getting your vehicle to your local dealership, because the maintenance agreement also includes free collection and delivery from either your home or work address, depending on where you wanted it from.
You will get regular process updates on repairs from the lease company so you’ll know exactly what is going on at all times. You will also get preferential booking times if there are urgent repairs that may keep the vehicle off the road.
Not only that, but you will also get a courtesy car, should you want one. So, all the hard work is done for you, all you have to do is sit back and relax while your car is serviced.
What Are the Benefits Of A Maintenance Agreement?
There are quite a few benefits to including the maintenance agreement as part of your lease contract, and these are;
- It’s a fixed monthly cost
- The cost of servicing your car can vary depending on a number of factors. Therefore, by having a maintenance agreement you won’t be caught out by extra costs when the time comes. The fixed monthly payment also makes it easier for you to budget for it.
- You’re protected from rising costs
- Because of the fixed monthly cost you won’t be a victim of rising costs for parts or labour, should they rise during your contract period. This could save you money in the long run.
- Qualified technicians to work on your vehicle with the correct diagnostic expertise
- The leasing company arranges for the servicing, so you’re guaranteed that you are going to get a first-class service.
Can I Upgrade my Maintenance Contract?
Yes you can. If your maintenance agreement doesn’t cover everything you want it to, you can upgrade it so it includes Roadside Assistance & Travel Breakdown cover. This includes;
- Roadside Assistance Cover 24/7, 365 days a year
- Free European Travel Breakdown Assistance
- Free of charge 24-hour replacement vehicle
- At home and roadside assistance
- Repair or recovery to onward destination
- Onward travel (train, taxi etc.) fares, including accommodation for up to 8 passengers
- Repatriation back to the UK
- Onward travel including accommodation
- Communication and translation services
- Foreign travel documentation service valid for 12 months (subject to a document fee)
So as you can see, the upgrade includes quite a bit. This is particularly useful if you travel with your car a lot so it’s something you should definitely consider if you do.
The maintenance agreement covers a lot, and if you have a lease contract has higher mileage then it’s definitely something you should consider.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
