How Car Leasing Works

1. Choose a vehicle and lease structure

A lease usually begins with selecting the vehicle, specification, contract term, annual mileage and initial rental. Availability and pricing can vary significantly by specification and stock status.

2. Understand initial and ongoing rentals

An agreement may be described using a rental profile such as 3+35, meaning an initial rental equivalent to three monthly rentals followed by 35 scheduled payments. Always check whether VAT is included and whether additional fees apply.

3. Review the agreement carefully

Check who supplies the vehicle, who owns it, the payment schedule, mileage terms, maintenance responsibilities, insurance requirements, delivery terms, cancellation rights and return obligations. Different types of agreements can have different legal protections.

4. Vehicle delivery and use

Delivery arrangements depend on the provider. For Northern Ireland customers, confirm whether delivery is included, whether collection is required and what happens if a vehicle is delayed.

5. End of contract

Most contract hire arrangements involve returning the vehicle. The provider may inspect condition and mileage and apply contractual charges. Some providers may offer extension options, but these should never be assumed.

6. Compare total cost, not just monthly rental

A useful comparison considers the sum of all rentals and applicable fees for equivalent vehicles and contract terms. Headline monthly prices alone can be misleading where initial rentals or mileage limits differ.

What LeaseNI plans to offer

Our goal is a transparent comparison experience showing consistent contract terms and clear provider information. This functionality is not yet live; the website currently supports market research and partnership enquiries only.