Learning Centre

If you’re unsure about anything motoring, whether it’s what happens once you’ve placed your order, or where does vehicle tax go when you’ve paid it, then you’re in the right place. We have articles on everything you could want to know about leasing, buying and owning a car. Our learning centre is full of answers to the questions you want to ask when it comes to your car.
afford first lease car

How to afford your first lease car | What costs are there to cover?

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Choosing to start your first lease is one of the cheapest ways to drive a brand new car. The initial payment is far lower than paying the deposit on a new car purchase. The monthly repayments are also lower, and when the lease term ends you won’t be charged a penny more unless you’ve exceeded your mileage allowance. But, despite being the cheaper option, driving a lease car still comes with a price tag.

How to afford your first lease car | What costs are there to cover? Read More »

man inspecting car with a clipboard

Should I fix the dent in my lease car?

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When you have a lease car, taking care of it is one of the most important aspects of leasing. After all, the car isn’t actually yours, so you have to keep it in good condition for when it goes back.

However, we know that keeping your car in top condition is actually harder than it sounds. Accidents happen, as do small bumps and taps. But, these can damage your car, and there may be an occasion where you dent your lease car. This might be your fault or it might not be, regardless, you have a dent in your car.

Should you get it fixed?

In this article, we look at whether you should get that dent fixed, how to avoid damage charges on your lease car and the best way to keep your lease car maintained.

Should I fix the dent in my lease car? Read More »

Hyundai genesis i black driving

A brief history of Hyundai

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In 2010, Hyundai operated the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility. The South Korean manufacturer employs about 75,000 people worldwide, with Hyundai vehicles being sold in 193 countries around the world. But, how did Hyundai become so successful? In this article, we look at the interesting history of Hyundai, from its conception to Genesis Motors…

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I don't want to speak to a sales person

But I don’t want to speak to a sales person | How an OSV rep can help you

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Ok, I get it. Sales people have a bad reputation for being pushy and oddly over friendly which can be somewhat disconcerting. But, not all salespeople are cut from the same cloth. Rid your mind of the picture of a suited estate agent type and instead cue an OSV vehicle specialist. A breath of fresh air, these guys are experts in car leasing and car finance. We’d say they were more customer service agents than sales people. Yes, they are there to sell leases but they are highly trained to ensure every customer who gets in touch are provided with all of the information they need to make the decision themselves. We don’t do pushy.

But I don’t want to speak to a sales person | How an OSV rep can help you Read More »

Is car leasing a rip off

Is car leasing a rip off? | Why do so many people lease their cars?

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If you find yourself asking ‘Is car leasing a rip-off?’ then read on! It’s highly unlikely that car leasing is a rip-off considering leasing accounted for 29% of all new car purchases in the UK in 2015. If it was a rip-off I’m certain that there wouldn’t be such a huge number of people choosing lease finance options to drive a new vehicle. Do you still need convincing? This article has all the information you need.

Is car leasing a rip off? | Why do so many people lease their cars? Read More »

who pays for parking tickets on a lease car

Who pays the parking ticket on a lease car? | Frequently Asked Questions

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Ooops, you’ve got a parking ticket on your lease car. Don’t panic, it happens to the best of us. Put it down to experience and try not to let it ruin your day. If you have a lease car and receive a parking ticket you might have some questions which I hope to answer in this article. Questions like, who pays for parking tickets on a lease car? If your lease vehicle is issued with a PCN there are certain procedures you’ll need to follow.

Who pays the parking ticket on a lease car? | Frequently Asked Questions Read More »

Are you ready to purchase your lease car?

Are you ready to purchase your lease car? | How to know if you are ready

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We want to help you to answer the question ‘Are you ready to purchase your lease car?’. Here at OSV, we’ve developed a handy checklist to see if you’ve done all of your research. Are you a ‘wing it and lease it’ kind of buyer or a ‘super organised vehicle leasing extraordinaire’? In this article we’ll take you through all of the steps you should take prior to contacting the lease company, taking the plunge and purchasing your lease car.

Are you ready to purchase your lease car? | How to know if you are ready Read More »

Fiat 500 C Convertible in white parked with red garage door behind

Cars with small engines that look cool

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There are plenty of reasons why one might want a car with a small engine. Maybe you are on a strict budget. Or, if you are a young person, you want to keep your insurance as low as possible. Or, maybe you simply want a car with a small engine.

But the problem is, do they look as good as cars with bigger engines?

Yes, they do. Admittedly, not all of them. But there are many cars with small engines out there that look just as good.

So, in this article, we’re going to look at our favourite cars with small engines that also manage to look cool at the same time.

Cars with small engines that look cool Read More »

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10 laws drivers must know

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Regardless of how long you have been driving, there will be some laws that may…slip your mind from time to time. After all, there are so many and, if they are ones that don’t affect your daily drive, they could well lodge themselves at the back of your mind. There also could be some laws regarding driving that you haven’t even heard of.

And that’s where we come in. In this article, we are going to look at some of the laws we think you should know. Some of these will be laws that have come in this year (2017). Others might be laws you didn’t know existed.

10 laws drivers must know Read More »

Best lease cars for college students

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You’re all ready for college or university and you’re looking at getting a new car. Have you considered leasing?

Leasing your car for college or university is a very viable option for some and we do recommend that you consider it as a valid option when looking at a new car.
But, which cars are best to lease for college students? In this article, we look at the best lease cars for college students, whether leasing is right for you as a student, and what to look for when choosing a car.

Best lease cars for college students Read More »

How long will it take to process my lease documents?

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You’ve chosen which car you want, what type of lease contract you are going to have and for how long, you’ve been approved for finance and you’ve just sent off your documents. What now?

Well, we have to process these lease documents. At OSV, we value transparency and think it’s important that our customers know exactly what happens at each part of their leasing process with us. So in this article, we’ll be talking about what sort of documents you will be expected to sign, how long they will take to process, and what things can hold up the documentation process.

It should be noted before we go on that this is the OSV process, and we can’t say that this will be the same with other vehicle suppliers.

How long will it take to process my lease documents? Read More »

what is the initial payment

What are the ways I can pay for my initial payment?

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When you lease a car you will have to pay an initial payment. This is also called a down payment, they are the same thing but in this article we’ll refer to it as the initial payment.

The initial payment is essentially a deposit that you put down at the start of your contract and traditionally used to be a number of monthly payments up to 12 months. But in recent years it’s become more common to just put down a cash amount and we’ve had anything from £1000 to £20,000 depending on the vehicle.

But, how can you pay it?

In this article we look into how the initial payment is calculated and the different ways you can pay for it.

What are the ways I can pay for my initial payment? Read More »

research before contacting a lease broker

What research before contacting a leasing broker should I do?

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With so many options on the market for every category of vehicle from SUV’s to small town cars, how do you choose what is right for you? This comes in at number one in the things you need to research before contacting a leasing broker. I recommend making a list of all the essential features the vehicle needs to have to meet your requirements. Consider your daily vehicle usage and the type of roads you usually drive on. Think about the space you need in the boot and cabin. You may want to consider fuel efficiency if you’re likely to do a lot of mileage. Then, the desirable features of your ideal car. Perhaps you’d like to have a DAB radio, Bluetooth integration or TV’s for the kids installed. Now you have a pretty good picture of the type of car you need and the features you want you can begin the next process.

What research before contacting a leasing broker should I do? Read More »

What is the difference between contract hire and contract purchase

What is the difference between contract hire and contract purchase

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Contract hire and contract purchase are very similar so it’s easy to see why this features as one of our most frequently asked questions. There are some fundamental differences which we’ll detail in this article. When deciding which lease option is best, it’s essential to have all the information. Then, finding one that best suits your needs will be easy. You’re welcome!

What is the difference between contract hire and contract purchase Read More »

lease prices negotiated

Can car lease prices be negotiated?

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An overall lease price is made up of three parts. Depreciation Fee, Finance Fee and Sales Tax combined. The depreciation fee covers the expected loss in value of the vehicle over the course of the lease. Depreciation explained. A finance fee is another word for the interest a finance company charges for lending monies. Sales tax is the VAT charged on the purchase. None of these elements of the car lease is negotiable. What is negotiable however is the cost of the vehicle these calculations are based upon, more on that in a moment.

Can car lease prices be negotiated? Read More »

Will I be charged VAT on excess mileage and how to manage your mileage

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“Do I pay VAT on excess mileage fees from my lease vehicle?” this is one of our frequently asked questions. If you do end up going over the mileage agreement on your leased vehicle then the short answer is yes, you do pay VAT on excess mileage on a lease car. Lease cars have a mileage allowance to cover depreciation of the vehicle during the lease. Vehicles lose value the more mileage they do and to cover the estimated loss on the vehicle the lease company base their fees on the expected depreciation. The amount you pay on your lease will vary depending on the amount of mileage you are expecting to do. Your estimation at the start of your lease should be as accurate as possible. Factoring in planned trips and long distances if you can. Of course, sometimes circumstances change during the course of your lease which results in the need to do more miles. Perhaps you decide to move home and the property is further away from your place of work leading to an increase in commuter mileage daily. Don’t panic, there are options available to you which we’ll go through in this article.

Will I be charged VAT on excess mileage and how to manage your mileage Read More »

initial payment on a car lease

What is an initial payment on a car lease and common FAQ’s

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The initial payment on a car lease is the amount of money that the driver can afford to put towards the overall lease cost up front. Not to be confused with a deposit, the initial payment allows the driver to spread the remaining cost over the number of months in their contract. The more that can be paid up front, the less the monthly payments will be.

What is an initial payment on a car lease and common FAQ’s Read More »

Driving test and lessons

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So the time has come for you to learn to drive. We imagine that you’ve already thought about what sort of car you want to cruise around in. But there is a minor thing you have to do before you get your first dream car and that’s pass your test.

In this article, we look at everything to do with learning to drive. Including how to apply for a provisional, your lessons and how to book your driving test.

Driving test and lessons Read More »

UK Diesel Car Scrappage Scheme

UK diesel car scrappage scheme: everything you need to know

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If you’ve been keeping up to date with the news recently you’ll see that in amongst Donald Trump and North Korea, the Snap Election and Brexit, there has been quite a bit of news surrounding diesel cars.

While there is no official announcement just yet, it is thought that next week the government will announce confirming that owners of older diesel cars and vans will receive money from the government to reduce the number of old diesel cars on the roads in the UK. It should be noted here that this is a developing story, and is changing day by day. Therefore, all information is correct as of 24th April 2017.

UK diesel car scrappage scheme: everything you need to know Read More »

Research before contacting a leasing broker

Reasons why you need to test drive your lease vehicle

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Test driving before selecting your lease vehicle is extremely important. After all, the car or van will be with you for a number of years. If it doesn’t tick all of the boxes you’ll be kicking yourself right the way through until your lease ends. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding you don’t have enough leg room for passengers or enough boot space for your weekly shop until it’s too late.

Reasons why you need to test drive your lease vehicle Read More »

what happens when I return my lease car

What happens when I return my lease car?

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All good things must come to an end, and at some point you will have to return your lease car. But, what actually happens when your lease car is due to go back?

You might currently be approaching the end of your lease contract or you may just be curious as to what happens when the time comes to return your lease car, either way, it’s important to know the process so you can be fully informed for when the time comes.

So, in this article we’re going to cover what happens at the end of your lease contract including the inspection and whether you can extend your lease contract.

What happens when I return my lease car? Read More »

a silver car crashing into the back of a red car with two men in shirts and trousers at the scene

Getting a new lease vehicle after an accident

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Accidents happen. And sometimes, accidents happen in a lease car. What do you do?

Obviously when you have an accident there are different severities. You could be involved in a small accident where your car is bumped or dented slightly, or you could end up writing the vehicle off. Regardless of how big or small your accident is, there is a process that you have to follow and it’s important that you know exactly what to do should your lease car be in an accident.
We at OSV don’t tend to deal with this directly. We aren’t the owners of the vehicle and once your car is delivered and the agreement activated, there is little we can do. However, we are there for you throughout the whole leasing journey including the duration of the agreement so we do advise our customers on what to do in this situation. Which is why in this article we are going to talk about what happens if your lease car is in an accident, and what to do should you need a new lease vehicle.

Getting a new lease vehicle after an accident Read More »

Renault Clio

What is the best car for a new driver?

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You’ve passed your test! All that hard work has finally paid off and now you’re looking at a brand new set of wheels. But, which car do you choose? There are so many different cars around these days, and there are loads that could make a great first car, but which ones are the best? In this article, we take a look at the best cars for a new driver and our top tips for choosing the best…

What is the best car for a new driver? Read More »

printed credit report with a score of 425 and a rating of poor

Why can’t I get car finance?

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When you apply for car finance, there could be a chance that you could be denied. This could be for a number of different reasons and it’s important that you are aware of these reasons so you fully understand why you might be rejected for car finance.

In this article, we’re going to look at why you might not be able to get car finance and potential solutions or alternatives to car finance. Whether you have recently been denied car finance or simply curious as to why you might be rejected for car finance, hopefully, this article will answer all your questions.

Why can’t I get car finance? Read More »

girl in car, holding out driving licence with a thumbs up - First Car

Can I lease a car without a driving licence?

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There may be a time when you need or want to lease a car. However, you don’t have a licence. Are you able to lease a car without a driving licence? It’s not something that happens often, but it has happened in the past. So, in this article, I’m going to talk about whether you can lease a car without a driving licence, and what your options are if you cannot. No, is the short answer. The likelihood is that you will struggle to find a finance house, dealership or broker that will allow you to lease a car without a driving licence. There may be some out there, but these will most likely be specialist vehicle broker and you should be extra careful that they are reputable.

Can I lease a car without a driving licence? Read More »

man in a suit replacing a registration plate on a red car

Can I add a private plate to my new lease car?

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We answer a lot of questions about leasing at OSV ranging from the start of your leasing journey to the very end. One of the questions we get asked quite a bit is in regards to private registration plates. When you lease a car you might want to add your own, personalised registration plate. In this article, we take a look at whether this is possible and how to go about it.

Can I add a private plate to my new lease car? Read More »

Can a Lease Car be Insured in Someone Else’s Name

Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name?

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There might be a scenario in which you want to lease a car for somebody else. This isn’t a problem and is something that quite a few people end up doing, be it for their partner or their child or even their friend. The only problem is the issue of insurance. Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name other than yours?
In this article, we look at whether insurance is included in a lease contract, whether you can lease a car and insure it in someone else’s name, and whether you need a certain type of insurance on a lease car.

Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name? Read More »

Black cabs

Can I use my lease car as a taxi?

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It’s a question we don’t get often, but it does get asked. You may be a taxi driver, or just starting out as one and you’ve seen how cheap car leasing can be. So, can you take advantage of this and use a contract hire car as a taxi? Well, yes and no. In this article, we’ll look at whether you can use your lease car as a taxi. In some circumstances yes.

The chances are, you will not be able to get a lease car through your average vehicle broker. There are companies that specialise in leasing cars for taxis. In my time at OSV (almost three years) I have only come across one manufacturer that has sent through deals specifically for private hire cars.

However, that’s not to say you can’t. You just have to go through a company that specialises in leasing for taxis.

Can I use my lease car as a taxi? Read More »

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How does van leasing work?

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When we talk about leasing we tend to think of cars, either company or personal. And while cars are the most commonly leased vehicle, vans are often overlooked. You can lease vans as well, and leasing a van is a very viable option for many.

The premise is the same as leasing a car but there are some key differences, particularly when it comes to business leasing.

In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about van leasing, from the different contracts to the benefits.

How does van leasing work? Read More »

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing?

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Taking care of your lease car is a huge part of having a lease car. But there may be times when you will need to get your car repaired. Perhaps it’s been damaged, or in an accident, or it might have even failed its MOT.

What do you do in that situation?

In this article we are going to talk about what happens if your lease car fails its MOT and what happens if you need to have your lease car repaired.

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing? Read More »

What is a log book

What is a log book?

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When you get a new car there are so many words and phrases that are thrown about that it can get very confusing and at times, overwhelming.

However, it doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming, which is why we write these articles. We want everything to be as smooth and as uncomplicated as possible for you.
And one of the questions that we get a lot at OSV is ‘what is a log book?’ so in this article we are going to cover what a log book is, what its purpose is and why it’s important. It should be noted here that the log book also can be referred to as the V5. As such, we do tend to say log book more than V5 in this article but just to make you aware that the two are interchangeable.

What is a log book? Read More »

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What do I do if my car breaks down?

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Did you know that there are 4727 breakdowns a day in the South East? There are only 554 in Wales, but that’s still a hefty number.

Anyway, your car breaking down is not ideal but as the statistics above show, it’s pretty common. And, it could happen to you at any point.

Therefore, it’s important that you are prepared in the event of your car breaking down. So in this article we are going to cover what you should do if you break down on different roads, what you should keep in your car in the event of a breakdown and whether you should look at breakdown cover.

What do I do if my car breaks down? Read More »

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New first car vs. used first car

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You’ve passed your driving test – congratulations! Now, all you need is a car.

You’ve probably already thought about what car you’re going to get and, correct me if I’m wrong, but you may have already resigned yourself to the fact that you will be getting a used car. Am I right?

But that might not be your only option, and it certainly might not be the best option either.
In this article, we’re going to look at which is better; a new first car or a used first car. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each, and what options are available to you.

New first car vs. used first car Read More »

A Brief History of Audi

A brief history of Audi

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Audi is one of the best-selling luxury automobile manufacturers in the world. However, the origins of the German brand are complex and colourful, to say the least.

Behind the name of every car company, there’s a story. Sometimes it’s as simple as the name of the family who founded it (Bentley, for example), sometimes it’s an acronym for a phrase people don’t seem to remember. The story behind Audi, however, is that little bit more interesting. OSV takes a look at the rich history of the German brand in our Audi history.

A brief history of Audi Read More »

Numberplate - NEW

How does car registration work?

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One of topics we get asked about quite a lot at OSV is car registration. How does it work? Who is responsible for it? How do I know if my car is registered?

And all of these questions are completely valid. Out of all the things related to cars, leasing and buying, car registration is a topic that tends to be forgotten or ignored. Until now, of course.
In this article, we’re going to talk you through everything to do with car registration. From how it’s done, what happens if you can’t find it registered, to how to put a private plate on a car.

How does car registration work? Read More »

How to Maintain Your Lease Car

How to maintain your lease car

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When you have a lease car, you have to take care of it and you have to maintain it. At the end of your lease agreement, your car will undergo an inspection. This will be for any damage that doesn’t constitute as fair wear and tear.

If there is any damage that doesn’t qualify as fair wear and tear, then you will face extra charges.
However, there are ways to avoid this happening, and in this article, we’re going to look at the best ways to maintain your lease car.

How to maintain your lease car Read More »

Brief History of Land Rover

A brief history of Land Rover

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Land Rover is an iconic British car, so much so that King George VI granted Land Rover a Royal Warrant in 1951.

So yes, the Land Rover is as historically British as they come, but how did they become the iconic British manufacturer we know and love today?

In this article, we take a look at the interesting history of the Land Rover, from the Series I to…pushchairs.

A brief history of Land Rover Read More »

History of SEAT

A brief history of SEAT

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Although it is an impressive 67 years old, SEAT is one of the younger car manufacturers, and its sporty cars show that it has no plans to slow down. Popularity for SEAT has grown and grown and seeing a SEAT on the road in the UK is as common as seeing a Golf or a Focus.

But, how did this come to be?

In this article, we look at the interesting history of the Spanish manufacturer.

A brief history of SEAT Read More »

Ford Skyliner in a monochromatic photograph

A brief history of Ford Motor Company

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Ford are the world’s fifth largest automaker in the world (based on worldwide vehicle sales). Ford is also the largest family-controlled company in the world as the Ford family have controlled the company since its founding over 110 years ago. But how did Ford survive two world wars and a Great Depression? In this article, we take a look at the rich history of one of the most well-known car manufacturers in the world…

A brief history of Ford Motor Company Read More »

girl in car, holding out driving licence with a thumbs up - First Car

How to apply for a driving licence

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Driving for the first time is an exciting prospect. What is your first car going to be? How will you afford it? How much will the insurance be?

And while all these questions are very important, there is one thing that is considerably more important.

Actually learning to drive in the first place. So, in this article, we are going to look at everything you need to know about learning to drive, from applying for a licence to how much your tests will cost.

How to apply for a driving licence Read More »

car finance on someone else's behalf

Can more than one person drive a lease car?

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There are quite a few common misconceptions about leasing, and one of those is that the only person that can drive a lease car is the one who is leasing it.

However, it’s our job to put these misconceptions right and explain that this in fact, is not the case.
So, in this article, we are going to look at whether someone else can drive a lease car, whether someone else can be insured to drive your lease car, and how to go about it.

Can more than one person drive a lease car? Read More »

young mother fitting her young child in a carseat

The new child seat laws 2017

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As of March 1st there were some changes to the laws regarding children’s car seats. Of course, this is vital information and it’s really important that you know this so you can make the necessary changes. But, what are the new changes? In this article, we look at the new changes to the car seat laws, how to fit a child seat and why you shouldn’t buy a 2nd hand car seat…

The new child seat laws 2017 Read More »

people at a dealership discussing new car purchase

What options do I have if I want to own my car at the end of the agreement?

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The best thing about financing a car is that you have so many options. There are agreements to suit every person, from business leasing to hire purchase, there’s an agreement for everyone.

But, what options do you have if you want to own your car at the end of your agreement?

In this article, we look at the different options available to you if you want to own your car at the end, and the pros and cons of each.

What options do I have if I want to own my car at the end of the agreement? Read More »