Leasing Guide

two men shaking hands after car deal - who are the bvrla

Should I buy or lease a car? Read our two point guide

When it comes to getting a vehicle, there are several options to choose from these days. You can lease, finance or pay by cash. But what do these options mean to you, the consumer? Which option is best suited to your needs? There is usually one option that makes more sense for your current situation and for your future plans. As a leasing company, who value transparency and honesty above everything else, we see it as our job to help you work out which option is right for you. So in this article, we are going to look at your three options; finance, leasing, and paying in cash, and help you decide which one is best for you…

Should I buy or lease a car? Read our two point guide Read More »

Young couple is smiling while buying a car, middle aged worker of a motor show is giving keys, close-up

Getting a used car through OSV

Many of you might not know that you can also get a used car through OSV and it’s an option that many people do take up.
However, getting a used car through OSV is slightly different than getting a brand new car through OSV.
So in this article, we are going to go through getting a used car through OSV including the service we provide and what to look for when looking at getting a used car.

Getting a used car through OSV Read More »

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Should I get a short term lease?

When we talk about leasing or finance we often talk about it in the long term. Contract Hire contracts are often between 2-3 years and finance options such as Hire Purchase can be up to 5 years so short term isn’t something we really talk about. However, it is an option. And it’s a great option for those in a certain situation. Not many people know that we offer short-term leasing as it is not one of our most popular forms of leasing or finance, but we do offer it. So in this article, we are going to talk about how short-term lease works, the pros and cons, and the reasons why it might be good for the situation you are in…

Should I get a short term lease? Read More »

person with a green top on handing the keys to a car to someone in a purple top with a red car in the background

When should I arrange the return of my current vehicle? When should I start looking for my next vehicle?

If your lease agreement is coming to an end, then you will need to arrange for the return of your lease vehicle. You will also have to start looking for your new vehicle.

The question is, when do you start this process?
We always recommend the sooner the better. Modern life is busy, and leaving it until the last minute can cause undue stress and panic, but how early you start the process really depends on you and the vehicle that you want.
So in this article, we look at when to arrange the return of your current vehicle, and when you should start looking for your next vehicle.

When should I arrange the return of my current vehicle? When should I start looking for my next vehicle? Read More »

Young couple is smiling while buying a car, middle aged worker of a motor show is giving keys, close-up

Best car finance providers

When you are looking at getting a new car, you will be considering how to finance it. There are a few ways you can finance your vehicle, and it’s important that you know which finance option you are going to go for and how you are going to go about getting finance for this vehicle, and who to go through. So who are the best car finance providers? In this article, we are going to go through the best car finance providers, the best finance companies and the best finance rates…

Best car finance providers Read More »

family looking at cars in the dealership with man talking to the car salesman

Who are the best car lease providers?

With the rise of car leasing comes the rise of car lease providers. If you are new to the concept of leasing, then the amount of information, companies and providers offering you all sorts of deals and offers can be overwhelming. We understand that it can be overwhelming, which is why we try and make leasing as easy, and as smooth, as possible. And we know that you are going to want to try and find the best car lease providers for you. So in this article, we are going to go through the best car lease providers, as well as the best places to find lease prices and programmes…

Who are the best car lease providers? Read More »

Signing documentation with new car keys

Are lease deposits refundable? What is the difference between a deposit and an initial payment?

When you lease a car, you will have to put down an initial payment. This is also referred to an initial rental, or a deposit. It can also be called a down payment, it varies depending on who you talk to. Many think they are interchangeable, and in the context of leasing they do essentially mean the same thing, but there are key differences that you should know about. In this article, we are going to look at the difference between the two, and whether a lease deposit is refundable…

Are lease deposits refundable? What is the difference between a deposit and an initial payment? Read More »

burgundy kia sportage driving

Kia Lease Deals: Is Kia the Right Manufacturer for Me?

In recent years, Kia have become hugely popular in the UK. The rise of the crossover SUV has meant that the Kia Sportage is a common sight on British roads. The success of the Sportage has led to a rise in other Kia models, including the Rio and Optima. Kia are not only known for their success in the crossover market, they are also well-known for their reliability and their impressive seven-year manufacturer warranty. Regardless of why Kia are popular, you might be wondering if Kia is the right manufacturer for you. In this article, we look at Kia lease deals, and think about whether Kia might be right for you.

Kia Lease Deals: Is Kia the Right Manufacturer for Me? Read More »

Young couple is smiling while buying a car, middle aged worker of a motor show is giving keys, close-up

There’s always someone who will do it cheaper: Why OSV aren’t the cheapest vehicle broker

There is always someone who will do it cheaper, that’s often what people say, right? Despite how much searching and research you do, there will always be someone who finds the same thing but for a better price. At OSV, we know that we aren’t the cheapest vehicle broker. This is a fact that we do not try to hide. We do promise that we are going to try and find the best deal for you, but sometimes this doesn’t always mean the cheapest deal. Because we believe that sometimes, the cheapest deal is not always the best deal. And in this article, we are going to try and explain why we believe that, and why OSV aren’t the cheapest broker.

There’s always someone who will do it cheaper: Why OSV aren’t the cheapest vehicle broker Read More »

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Leasing Options for Fleet Management

If you are a business, you might be considering leasing several vehicles. This is otherwise known as fleet leasing, and is a hugely popular option for many businesses. Leasing has become hugely popular as of late, and is one of the most popular ways of getting a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles for your business. So what leasing options are there? In this article, we look at the leasing options for fleet management, how fleet leasing works and some of the advantages of fleet leasing.

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What are the benefits of fleet leasing?

Some define a fleet as a large number of vehicles. However, at OSV, we treat our fleet customers the same regardless of whether you are looking at a fleet of two or two hundred. When a business has a fleet of vehicles, the chances are that they lease them. This is because there aren’t many businesses that can afford to purchase several vehicles outright every few years. So fleet leasing is extremely popular. There are also a huge amount of benefits to fleet leasing that make it even more appealing for businesses than simply freeing up cash. In this article…

What are the benefits of fleet leasing? Read More »

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Top 5 problems with Personal Leasing

Car leasing has been around for some time now, since the 1990s. However, at that time, it was only really available for business owners who wanted a fleet of company cars. Now, however, leasing for private individuals has become more popular, and is now one of the most popular way of getting a new car. Personal leasing is on the rise, which has led to an increase in people asking about the concept of leasing and what it entails. One of the questions many people ask is ‘what’s the problem with car leasing?’ There aren’t that many problems with personal leasing, which is why it is so popular. It works for pretty much anyone. However, that’s not to say there aren’t a few problems that you should be aware of…

Top 5 problems with Personal Leasing Read More »

porsche

Vehicle Leasing for Dummies

Vehicle leasing has been around for some time now, and was originally introduced to the United Kingdom back in the 1990s. While it has been popular for a while with businesses, it is the rise in personal leasing that has set tongues wagging and people Googling. Personal leasing has taken off as of late, and is currently one of the most popular ways to get a new car.

Vehicle Leasing for Dummies Read More »

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Business leasing for dummies

Business leasing has been around since the 1990s, and has since grown hugely in popularity. In fact, it is one of the most popular ways of getting a new car for your business, with Contract Hire being one of the most popular finance agreements out there. But, how does it all work? What leasing options are there for your business? And, how do you go about getting a business lease? In this article, we look at everything you need to know about business leasing including what it is, how it works, and whether it is right for you.

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How are car lease payments determined?

When you are researching lease deals, you are undoubtedly looking at the price. And this is understandable, the price is hugely important when looking at lease deals, and is often the most important thing people look for when choosing which lease deal to go for. On the surface, some lease deals look the same but they are vastly different in price. This can often be confusing, and it begs the question; how are car lease payments determined? The chances are, the lease deals are actually different but don’t look different at first glance. At OSV, we pride ourselves on our transparency and think that it is only fair that you know how car lease prices are calculated. In this article, we are going to look at how car lease payments are determined, and what affects lease prices.

How are car lease payments determined? Read More »

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Car leasing problems

Car leasing is a very popular way to get a new car, and is actually one of them ost common for businesses and private individuals. There are a great number of positives but, as with everything, it’s not for everyone. It’s important that you know the ins and outs of leasing before you can decide if leasing a car is for you. In this article, we are going to look over some of the problems with car leasing, how they are solved, and whether leasing is right for you.

Car leasing problems Read More »

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Should I buy or renew my lease agreement?

When you are approaching the end of your lease agreement, you will inevitably be thinking about your options.

Of course, you can hand your car back, as is the case with many lease agreements. However, some may be considering renewing their lease contract or even buying their lease car.

In this article, we will be looking at whether you should buy your lease car or renew your lease agreement at the end of the contract, how it can be done and whether it is right for you.

Should I buy or renew my lease agreement? Read More »

Young couple with car dealer in auto salon

What Leasing a Car Means

Car leasing has become extremely popular as of late, with Contract Hire being one of the fastest growing finance schemes in the country. Although car leasing has become more popular, there are many who still do not know much about car leasing, what it entails, or what car leasing even means. So in this article, we are going to talk about what leasing a car means, the pros and cons of leasing, and whether it is right for you.

What Leasing a Car Means Read More »

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Top 5 concerns when leasing a van

Leasing a van can feel like a bit of a minefield. Luckily, we’re here to help! There are many factors to take into consideration and so many options that you can choose. Everyone has a unique circumstance and so this is the core reason so many options are available. With so much choice there is bound to be a lease van agreement to suit you. There are different types of Lease agreements that you can choose from as well as different payment plans. Each financial provider offers different variants so it is worthwhile using a leasing broker or checking out a few a providers before making your decision.

Top 5 concerns when leasing a van Read More »

Woman looking at her computer deciding what to do end of lease agreement.

What should I consider when approaching the end of my lease agreement?

You’ve had your car for a few years, and now you are approaching the end of your lease agreement. What are your next steps? There are a few things to consider when approaching the end of your lease agreement, and it’s important that you consider these things thoroughly, and in plenty of time for your lease contract to end.

What should I consider when approaching the end of my lease agreement? Read More »

Visiting car dealership. Men are shaking hands while signing documents

Which is better? Leasing or financing?

If you are looking at getting a new car, you might be wondering which is better; leasing or financing. Financing your car is a more traditional way of getting a new car, but leasing has become increasingly more popular and is a very viable option for many. So in this article, we are going to look at both leasing and financing for new cars, weigh up the pros and cons and try to decide which one is better.

Which is better? Leasing or financing? Read More »

Kids driving car

Car Leasing for Young Drivers

If you are looking for a new car, you might be looking at leasing. Leasing has become increasingly popular over the years, and it’s understandable why. It is also understandable why you, as a young driver, would be attracted to the idea of leasing. After all, you can get a brand new car for low monthly payments, what’s not to like about it? However, car leasing for young drivers is not as easy as it looks. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but there are some things that you should consider first. In this article, we look at car leasing for young drivers including whether you can lease, how to get car finance and whether you should look at using a guarantor.

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What are my options at the end of my lease agreement?

About six months before the end of your lease agreement, you should be looking at your next steps. There are a few options at the end of your lease agreement, and each option is suited to different people and situations. In this article, we are going to look at the options you have at the end of your lease contract, and how to go about them.

What are my options at the end of my lease agreement? Read More »

a silver nissan pulsar hatchback parked on tarmac with tropical background

Nissan Pulsar Hatchback vs SEAT Toledo Hatchback vs Subaru Impreza Hatchback: Review & Comparisons

The new Nissan Pulsar Hatchback is roomy and refined – but might be a tad too serious for some.
There is definitely a fun factor missing here from a car that doesn’t set the pulses racing. However, it’s versatile and sensible character is sure to attract fans who need an affordable and spacious family car that’s well-equipped, quiet and well-built.
Moreover, it can offer more interior space than all its rivals.

Nissan Pulsar Hatchback vs SEAT Toledo Hatchback vs Subaru Impreza Hatchback: Review & Comparisons Read More »

Young couple talking to sales guy about purchasing their new vehicle.

What is the process of leasing my next vehicle?

If you are coming up to the end of your lease contract, you might be wondering what your next steps are. Getting a new car is an important decision and there is a process involved. In this article, we are going to look at the process of leasing your next vehicle, what things you should consider, and how long the process will take.

What is the process of leasing my next vehicle? Read More »

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Why is business leasing cheaper?

While you have been looking at leasing deals, you may have noticed that business leasing can often be cheaper than other lease contracts.

But, why is business leasing cheaper?

We pride ourselves on our transparency and openness at OSV, and we think you deserve to know exactly why business leasing can be cheaper than other types of leasing, how it works and what it could mean for you and your business.

Why is business leasing cheaper? Read More »

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The most common problems with financing your car

Getting your new car through finance is a hugely popular way of doing it and has become increasingly popular over the past few years.

Generally, financing your car is very simple, and at OSV, we try and make the process as smooth as possible for you.

However, sometimes you can run into problems. While it happens rarely, it does happen, and we think it’s important that you are aware of these problems before you make a decision.

So in this article, we are going to look at the most common problems with financing your car, and how to solve them.

The most common problems with financing your car Read More »

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Do I have a cooling off period before I can receive my vehicle?

When you make a big purchase, you will often have something called a ‘cooling off period’. This is where you have a certain amount of time to change your mind about your purchase. This doesn’t have to be a purchase, though it is most seen when making a purchase, but can also be a service that you have arranged.

We get asked about cooling off periods from time to time, and the main question we get asked at OSV is ‘do I have a cooling off period before I can receive my vehicle?’. Cooling off period and your rights as a customer can be quite complicated, so we thought it best to write our answer down.

In this article, we explore whether you have a cooling off period, what the cooling off period means and your rights as a customer.

Do I have a cooling off period before I can receive my vehicle? Read More »

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What potential delays could I experience when leasing a car?

When you lease a car, you want it to be a smooth process. We do too. But, like everything, delays can happen.

Some of these delays are unavoidable, and are out of our hands and yours. However, there are some delays that can be avoided.

In this article, we are going to go through some of the delays you might experience when leasing a car, and how you can help avoid delays throughout the process.

What potential delays could I experience when leasing a car? Read More »

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Best Vehicles for Personal Leasing

Personal leasing is a great way of getting a new car and is becoming increasingly popular in the past few years. But as with anything, you want to make sure that you are getting the best deal you can. And, you may be wondering which cars are better for personal leasing. That’s where we come in. In this article, we look at the best vehicles for personal leasing, and what you should be looking out for when looking at lease deals online.

Best Vehicles for Personal Leasing Read More »

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How to compare car leasing deals

When you are making a big purchasing decision, you are always going to look at your options to ensure that you are making the right decision. And, leasing a car is no different.

Leasing a car is a big commitment so it’s important that you are sure you’ve made the right choice. Therefore, it is understandable that you would want to, for want of a better phrase, shop around before you make your choice.

But how do you compare car leasing deals? How do you know what to look for, and how do you know if you are getting the best deal out there?

At OSV, we think it’s important that we are completely transparent with our customers, and that means educating them on how they can find the best deal for them. So, in this article, we are going to look at how to compare car leasing deals, and what to look out for when looking at deals online.

How to compare car leasing deals Read More »

Can I lease from OSV if I live in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Northern Ireland

Can anyone in the UK lease a car from OSV? What are the eligibility requirements for leasing a car?
If you live outside of the UK you may be wondering if you can lease a car from OSV. In this article, we’ll cover all of the areas we work within and any limitations to coverage and service in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and Northern Ireland.

Can I lease from OSV if I live in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Northern Ireland Read More »

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What vehicles come with warranties

All new cars come with a warranty. However, not all warranties are alike. A warranty is a promise from the manufacturer that the vehicle will be fit for purpose for a minimum amount of time. This time frame can vary significantly between manufacturers. Your vehicle warranty will cover the cost of any repair to restore the car to its original working state, excluding wear and tear items. We’ll go into more detail about what is and isn’t covered by a manufacturers warranty in a moment.
A long warranty can be a big selling point and the deciding factor for some people when choosing the make of car they want to buy. Afterall, if a manufacturer is confident enough to guarantee their workmanship for a number of years they must be fairly confident in their product or they’d be paying for repairs all the time.

What vehicles come with warranties Read More »

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Fleet leasing vs. buying

To buy or not to buy. That really is the question here. If you simply can’t decide between fleet leasing versus buying then this article is especially for you. It can be a tough decision but as ever, your friends here at OSV are here to help by rounding up all of the key considerations when looking at fleet leasing versus buying.
Like any good versus article, we’ll kick off with the pros of each.
While purchasing a fleet vehicle may seem expensive it does have some benefits. That being said, when purchasing multiple fleet vehicles you’ll find cost savings if you are not buying them all in one go. In the automotive industry, this is known as fleet purchasing. In recent years fleet dealers have been incentivising on fleets upwards of 3-4 cars but discounts used to only qualify on fleets of 10 cars or more.
The cars are an asset within the business which helps with your accounts and the strength of your balance sheet. It can be re-sold to gain some funds into the business. Owning your vehicle’s gives the business some level of control and flexibility. Enabling you to dispose of them whenever you like, Maintaining the vehicles and the condition of them is also down to your discretion.

Fleet leasing vs. buying Read More »

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Things to be aware of when leasing a vehicle

Making the decision between buying and leasing a car is tricky. Leasing offers some excellent benefits we’ve highlighted previously in our article What are the pros and cons of leasing? But if you’ve already made your decision and leasing is the way you want to go then you’re in the right place. This article is going to run through all of the things to be aware of when leasing a vehicle so you can go into your first leasing journey with your eyes wide open. Knowledge is power so they say, so read on.

Special Offers
If you haven’t got your heart set on a specific make and model of vehicle you could benefit by being flexible. Periodically manufacturers will offer highly discounted lease specials to generate more interest in slow-selling models. Special offers are even available on popular models such as Mercedes and Audi. But if you’re prepared to look outside the box or waiting until a good deal comes along then you could benefit from some significant savings. Using a broker for your lease car will ensure you can shop the whole marketplace for these deals for you.

Things to be aware of when leasing a vehicle Read More »

How to maintain an electric car

What is “Fair Wear and Tear”?

One of the most important aspects of leasing a car is looking after it. When you first receive your car, you should be given a copy of the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide, if that be from your broker or the leasing company itself.

The BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide is the industry standard of which your car will be judged on when you return it to the finance house at the end of your agreement.
But, what is ‘Fair Wear and Tear’?

In this article, we are going to look at what counts as fair wear and tear, what happens if you incur charges and how to dispute them.

What is “Fair Wear and Tear”? Read More »

two men shaking hands after car deal - who are the bvrla

Should I do a Business Lease or a Personal Lease?

Nowadays, leasing is not just for businesses but also for private individuals and they work along the same lines with the same concept.

However, when looking at leasing deals, you may have noticed a significant difference between business and private leasing costs. There are some deals that are cheaper on business contract hire than they are on personal contract hire. And you may be wondering why.

In this article, we look at the different types of lease contracts for business and personal, and why business leasing is cheaper than personal leasing.

Should I do a Business Lease or a Personal Lease? Read More »

two men shaking hands after car deal - who are the bvrla

Business vs. Personal Leasing criteria

When it comes to leasing, you might be trying to decide whether you want to lease personally or through your business. There are times when our customers start out wanting to lease personally and then change to business leasing, and vise-versa. But, is the criteria different? Naturally, there will be a slightly different criteria for business leasing than there is to personal. And, it’s important you know the differences before you decide which one is best for you. In this article, we look at the difference between the two leasing types, the difference in criteria, and which one would be best for you.

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Should I have a dashboard camera fitted in my lease car?

Dashboard cameras, otherwise known as Dash Cams are wired into your car. They are front facing through the windscreen. Designed to start recording as soon as the engine is started. Clever stuff. Dash cams have an inbuilt memory and record on a continuous loop so all of your driving is recorded. They are designed to prove what happens during a car accident and to enable the insurance companies to prove who is at fault. The rise in popularity of the dash cam has been attributed to the increase in insurance scams in the UK. In fact, figures from market research company GFK show that dashcam sales have increased by 918% over the last 12 months. In this article, we look at the perks and drawbacks of a dashboard camera. We’ll also look to answer the question ‘Should I have a dashboard camera fitted in my lease car?’

Should I have a dashboard camera fitted in my lease car? Read More »

Safety Features To Look For

Safety features to look for when leasing a new car

Choosing to lease a new car is exciting. That brand new car smell is within your reach, now you’ve just got to decide which car you want. I say just…… it’s the biggest decision to make of the whole process. You must consider what the car will be primarily used for and what you will find most comfortable. Whether you want a petrol or diesel engine? In amongst all of these decisions, it’s easy to forget about safety features. But the safety features in your new car could be the difference between life or death so they are vitally important to consider. Yes, all cars must meet certain safety standards but some are definitely more safety conscious than others. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the key safety features to look for when leasing a new car.

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