Is Maintenance Included in a Car Lease and What to Expect

Author

Reads 1.1K

A Person Signing a Contract
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Signing a Contract

Leasing a car can be a great way to drive a new vehicle without the long-term commitment of buying one outright. However, one of the biggest concerns for car lessees is whether maintenance costs are included in the lease agreement.

In most cases, maintenance costs are not included in a standard car lease. According to the article, only about 20% of leases include maintenance as a standard feature. This means that lessees are typically responsible for paying for routine maintenance tasks like oil changes and tire rotations.

Lessees can expect to pay around $500 to $1,000 per year for maintenance costs, depending on the type of vehicle and the lessee's driving habits.

What's Included in a Car Lease

When you sign a car lease, it's essential to know what's included and what's not. The lessee is responsible for all repairs and maintenance on a leased vehicle, including scheduled maintenance and any necessary repairs that may come up during the lease term.

Credit: youtube.com, Car leases -- What about maintenance and repairs?

You're still responsible for repairs even if they're not your fault. For example, if you hit a pothole and it blows out your tire, you'd be responsible for the cost of the repair or replacement.

However, if the leased car is still under warranty, the lessor is responsible for repairs. This typically includes manufacturer's warranties.

A 'fully maintained' deal can include scheduled servicing costs and other periodic bills in return for a slightly higher monthly payment. This can save you money, especially if you're on a high-mileage contract or driving a car that needs frequent services.

Scheduled servicing costs depend on the type of car you have and the labour costs in your area. Some cars may need servicing every year, while others may only need it every two years or 20,000 miles.

Here's what you can expect to be included in a typical maintenance package:

  • Scheduled manufacturer’s services (detailed in your car's handbook).
  • Mechanical/electrical repairs.
  • All repairable/replaceable parts considered ‘fair wear and tear’.
  • An MOT if your car is older than 3 years.
  • Breakdown cover.
  • Car pick up/drop off to your home.
  • Replacement tyres (that aren’t down to driver error!).

Breakdown cover is often included in a maintenance package, which can be a lifesaver if your car breaks down unexpectedly.

Maintenance and Service

Credit: youtube.com, Q&A: Why Is Maintenance Included In My Lease?

You're responsible for all repairs and maintenance on a leased vehicle, including scheduled maintenance like oil changes and any necessary repairs that may come up during the lease term.

The lessee is responsible for repairs even if they're not your fault, so be prepared to cover the cost of a blown-out tire or other damage.

If your car breaks down and it's still under warranty, the dealership or leasing company will cover the repair costs.

Scheduled servicing costs depend on the type of car you have and the labour costs in your area.

A maintenance package can save you money if you're on a high-mileage contract or driving a car that needs frequent services.

Typical maintenance contracts cover breakdown cover, scheduled servicing, replacement tyres, MOTs, exhaust, and battery replacements.

Here's a breakdown of what's usually included in a maintenance package:

  • Breakdown cover including home-start, roadside assistance, and recovery
  • Scheduled servicing
  • Replacement tyres (within fair wear and tear limits)
  • MOTs (for cars over three years old)
  • Exhaust and battery (within fair wear and tear limits)

If you need to repair or maintain your lease car, contact your car leasing company or check your documents to see which dealership you need to go to.

Most leasing companies require you to take your car to a franchised dealership for repairs, especially if it's still under warranty.

Repair and Issues

Credit: youtube.com, Car Lease Tip: How Leasing Companies Get You on Maintenance

If you have problems with repairs on your leased car, you can try to negotiate with the dealership or leasing company, as they may be willing to cover the cost of repairs or give you a discount on your lease payments.

Most leasing companies will require you to take your leased car to a franchised dealership for repairs, as the new car will be under a lease car warranty. For example, if your new Kia breaks, you can take it to a franchised dealer and make use of the 7 year warranty.

You're still responsible for repairs even if they're not your fault, such as hitting a pothole and blowing out your tire. You'd be responsible for the cost of the repair or replacement.

However, there are some cases where the lessor is responsible for repairs, typically when the leased car is still under warranty. For example, if your car breaks down and it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty, the dealership or leasing company would be responsible for the repair costs.

Worth a look: Re Lease Car

Credit: youtube.com, Should I take out a maintenance package when I lease a car?

If you're having problems, you can contact your state's attorney general or the Better Business Bureau for help resolving the issue. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Here are some things that may be included in a maintenance package:

  • Breakdown cover including home-start, roadside assistance, and recovery
  • Scheduled servicing
  • Replacement tyres (within fair wear and tear limits)
  • MOTs (for cars over three years old)
  • Exhaust and battery (within fair wear and tear limits)

A maintenance package can save you money on repairs, such as replacing tyres, exhausts, and batteries, which can be costly if you need to replace them.

Lease Additions

A maintenance package is an optional addition to a car lease that covers scheduled servicing costs, replacement tyres, and other periodic bills. This can save you money, especially if you're on a high-mileage contract or have a car that needs frequent services.

You can expect to pay a slightly higher monthly payment for a maintenance package, but it can provide peace of mind knowing that unexpected vehicle repair costs are covered.

Some maintenance packages include breakdown cover, including home-start, roadside assistance, and recovery, which can be a lifesaver if your car refuses to start before you've even left home.

Credit: youtube.com, Do I HAVE TO service a leased car at the dealership?

The cost of a maintenance package varies depending on the car you lease, with more expensive cars like Ferraris having higher monthly maintenance costs than more affordable options like Corsas.

Here are some examples of what's typically included in a maintenance package:

  • Breakdown cover including home-start, roadside assistance, and recovery
  • Scheduled servicing
  • Replacement tyres (within fair wear and tear limits)
  • MOTs (for cars over three years old)
  • Exhaust and battery (within fair wear and tear limits)

If you choose not to take a maintenance package, you'll need to budget for these costs yourself, which can add up quickly. For example, replacing a single tyre can cost up to £150 or more, while an MOT can cost around £55.

Lessee Rights and Responsibilities

As a lessee, you have certain rights when it comes to repairs on your leased car. You have the right to know who is responsible for repairs, which should be clearly stated in your lease agreement.

If you need repairs, you should be able to take the car to a qualified repair shop and have the repairs done in a reasonable amount of time. The dealership or leasing company should make arrangements with a repair shop and have the work done as soon as possible.

For your interest: Lease Car Repairs

Credit: youtube.com, Car Lease Explained In United States (Animated)

You have the right to a safe and reliable car. This means that the car should be safe to drive and in good working condition. If you need repairs, the dealership or leasing company should make sure the car is repaired properly so it's safe to drive.

If you think you're being charged for repairs that you shouldn't be responsible for, you can dispute the charges with the dealership or leasing company.

Intriguing read: Car Lease Limited Company

Kellie Hessel

Junior Writer

Kellie Hessel is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape our world. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Kellie has established herself as a go-to writer for industry insights and expert analysis. Kellie's areas of expertise include the insurance industry, where she has developed a deep understanding of the complex issues and trends that impact businesses and individuals alike.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.