Just like any other car, you've got to have a lease vehicle properly serviced.
And not just serviced . . . but serviced on time and in accordance with the recommended service intervals.
It's in your best interests as well, because you don't want to face any wear and tear fees or nasty breakdowns, do you?
That's why we've created a post all about it.
What is a Car Service?
It's a bit like going to the doctor's.
Every so often, your lease car is going to need a health 'check up' to make sure that there's no existing or looming problems.
So that's what a service is for: to keep your lease car in the best possible condition.
What's Involved In a Service?
The purpose of a car service is to replace and check the parts of the vehicle which wear down overtime.
A car service is different from an MOT, even though they're often confused with one another. Whereas an MOT will point out the things that need replacing to ensure that the car is safe to drive, a car service will actually go about replacing those things, as well as fixing or replacing parts to help aid performance and efficiency.
So an MOT is more theoretical and about identifying any problems, whilst a car service is more about taking action.
When a car goes in for a service, it receives a full check-over, making sure that any mechanical items that are worn or faulty or that can reduce the performance, safety, efficiency or reliability of the car are repaired or replaced.
Parts usually checked during a car service include:
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Brakes
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Air filter
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Coolant
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Clutch
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Engine oil
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Exhaust
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Lights
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Steering and suspension
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Tyre inflation
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Windscreen wiper blades
Do I Have to Get My Lease Car Serviced?
Absolutely you do.
Not only will your lease car need serviced, but you'll also have to do it at the recommended service intervals (more on that in a bit).
But can't you just skip your vehicle's servicing?
Well, not really, because the car leasing company is still going to find out as they'll check your service history when you return the car to them. After all, they're the registered keeper of the car and just want to make sure it's in good nick. So no escape for you, unfortunately.
As the person leasing the car, you're paying off the amount that the car is expected to depreciate over the course of your contract. If you cause it to depreciate any further (such as by not identifying faults that would be corrected with a car service), then that's bad news for the leasing company, meaning they're probably going to charge you fees when you return the car.
A car service is an important part of your lease agreement, as well as the manufacturer's warranty. By keeping your car in tip-top condition through regular servicing, you'll be much less likely to incur high return charges or excess fair wear and tear charges when you finally hand the car back.
So as soon as the leasing company catches on to the fact that you've not been servicing the car, you can expect a catalogue of hefty penalty charges to come your way!
Do I Have to Get My Lease Car Serviced at a Franchised Dealer?
No, you don't have to, but it is highly recommended.
Will the Quality of Service Be Better at a Franchised Dealer?
Absolutely.
Not only will the service be better, but many franchised dealerships also offer a delivery and collection service as well as a courtesy car for your use.
In addition, should your car require any software updates or outstanding recall work, then using a franchised dealer means that all of this will be completed without any extra charges incurred to you.
You can also be certain that the technicians are going to be highly-trained with bags of experience. They'll have access to the best and latest diagnostic equipment and genuine parts so that you know you're genuinely getting a first-class service.
Will It Cost More to Get It Serviced at a Franchised Dealer?
Unfortunately yes, but it’s worth it.
Like with a lot of other things in life, you get what you pay for in the end.
If you go somewhere that's offering it cheaper, how do you know that you're getting the best service? You don't obviously, and that reflects in the lower price.
Not getting your car properly serviced could risk incurring charges at the end of your lease agreement – charges which could be more than the money you'd have saved if you just went to a franchised dealer for servicing.
How Often Are the Service Intervals On My Lease Vehicle?
The service intervals are going to vary depending on the make and model of your lease vehicle and the manufacturer's service schedule, but it's generally recommended that you service your car every 12 months or every 12,000 miles. Whichever comes first.
As mentioned, every car has slightly different service interval requirements, and the length of your car lease agreement will also affect how many services you'll need to book in total.
Your best course of action is to check the manufacturer's handbook and find out which parts need replaced and when. And depending on the specific manufacturer, your car's servicing requirements may warrant more than the standard full yearly service.
How Much Will A Service For My Lease Car Cost?
The exact cost of servicing your lease car is going to depend largely on the manufacturer and the model.
But to give you a rough idea of costs if you go to a franchised dealer, here is approximately what you'll pay in servicing costs for a car the size of a Honda Civic:
- 1st Service: £150
- 2nd Service: £230
- 3rd Service: £150
- 4th Service: £350
Is Maintenance and Servicing Included in My Monthly Payments?
Most leasing agreements do not cover maintenance and servicing.
In other words, maintenance is an optional cost that is not covered as part of your regular monthly lease payments for the vehicle.
Additional maintenance costs include all of the car's servicing, electrical and mechanical lease car repairs, as well as any further labour costs for a set monthly price. The payment will be added on top of the agreed costs to lease the car.
Just be aware that if you do opt for a maintenance package, this will need to be confirmed at the point of the contract agreement. Unlike with mileage changes, you can't add it on partway through your lease, so think carefully.
Is It Worth Paying For a Maintenance Agreement?
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
In most cases, yes, paying for a maintenance package should be a no-brainer.
That being said, there are several situations where you might actually be better off not paying for it.
For example, if you've agreed to a lower mileage lease deal (say, less than 10,000 miles over the course of the agreement), then you're probably better off just paying for individual servicing costs as and when it's needed. Since you're unlikely to be splashing out money on tyre or brake replacements with low mileage, the only real costs you're going to need to worry about are oil changes or filter changes.
A maintenance package makes most sense when you're going to be doing a lot of miles (say, 15,000+ per annum), as that increases the likelihood of things going wrong with the car.
Summary
So, now you know all about servicing a car, what it involves, and why you need to get it done.
Service away!
FAQs
Do you need to service a leased car?
Yes, you must service your leased vehicle at regular intervals as advised by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you could incur fees at the end of your contract.
How often should you service a lease car?
You should have your vehicle serviced at least once each year.