Considering leasing a car but unsure of where to start?

Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of applying for a personal lease, making it easy and straightforward to get your new wheels.

Research and Choose Your Ideal Vehicle

Start by researching different car models and features that suit your needs and budget. Whether it's a compact hatchback, family SUV, or eco-friendly hybrid, our experts are on hand and ready to help.

If you are unsure where to start, it might be worth checking out our guide on choosing the right vehicle.

Prepare for Your Lease Application

Prepare for your lease application by making sure your documentation is all in order, including proof of identity being up to date, proof of address being current, and proof of income.

Having these documents ready enhances your chances of approval if they are requested and also gives you a chance to rectify anything that does not appear correct.

Complete Your Lease Application Online

Once you're ready, you can start that process by completing your lease application online, which we will send to you upon your enquiry.

This application will require several details, such as:

• Personal details: with all applications, we'll need to know details like your title, full name, date of birth, nationality, marital status, contact details, and sometimes number of dependents.

• Address details: depending on the lease company, you may be asked for 3 or 5 years of address history, which will include the address, the time at each address and ownership status.

• Employment details: you'll also need to input 3 or 5 years worth of employment history, which will include your employer's name and address, your job title, time in employment, and sometimes a contact number.

• Bank details: you'll need to provide your bank name, account name, sort code and account number, as well as how long you've had the account. This can be changed later if you want to pay for your lease from another account.

• Income and expenditure: this is required to ensure affordability. The lease company needs to ensure that you earn and retain enough to pay for the lease, so will ask for details like gross annual income, mortgage/rent payments, child support/care, existing loans or credit card balances, utility bills, etc.

Undergo a Credit Check

Once your application is in, the leasing company will conduct a credit check to assess your creditworthiness. Your credit history and score will play a significant role in determining your eligibility for the lease.

You can learn more about how the credit checks work here.

Review & Sign the Lease Agreement

If your application is approved, you'll be sent the lease agreement provided by the leasing company.

Review all of the details such as all of the costs, lease terms like duration and mileage, and any additional fees or charges. Once you're satisfied with the terms, sign the agreement and return it to the leasing company.

We're on hand to run through this with you, should you have any questions or queries.

Keep Updated

Depending on the status of your vehicle, we'll keep you updated with each step. If your car has been ordered from the factory, you'll be updated on stages like when it is built, when it is shipped to the UK, and when it arrives at the dealership (just to name a few).

If the car is already built or even in stock, it won't be long before we'll be arranging delivery with you.

Check out our guides on stock and factory orders if you want to know more.

Prepare for Delivery

Once your vehicle is ready to be delivered, you'll need to prepare for it. This includes sorting out your fully comprehensive insurance and making sure funds are ready for your initial rental.

Depending on the lease agreement, you may be required to pay an upfront deposit, initial rental fees, or administrative charges, although in most cases, the initial rental is usually taken 10-14 days after delivery via direct debit.

Take Delivery of the Vehicle

When you're ready, simply provide the address you want it delivered to, along with who is signing for it if not yourself. Upon arrival, make sure you give it a thorough inspection to ensure it meets your expectations and is in perfect condition.

End of Lease Options

At the end of the lease term, you'll have several options to consider. You can return the vehicle to the leasing company, extend the lease, or explore the possibility of leasing a new vehicle. Some leasing companies will even let you buy it!

Be sure to discuss your options with the leasing company well in advance of the lease expiration date.

Some of the questions we get asked...