As England has entered its second lockdown, with similar restrictions in other parts of the UK, we wanted to give you a comprehensive guide to answer any questions you might have regarding your leasing needs.
Our main priority is our staff and customers’ health and wellbeing. We have maintained remote working for the majority of our team, and for the ones that still work at the office have gone above-and-beyond Government guidelines; this includes the provision of desk wipes and hand sanitiser, whilst maintaining a two-metre distance at all times and wearing face masks in communal areas.
Below are answers to questions you might have and if you have any others, please get in touch with our team here.
Can I order a new lease deal now?
Yes – by ordering now you can take advantage of our current offers and in-stock lease deals. You can also be assured that if your circumstances change, you will be able to cancel your order free of charge.
Our advice is simple – if you are thinking about getting a new car after the lockdown for whatever reason, start looking and planning now.
Deals are there to be had now, and Leasing Options has fantastic deals on current stock so take advantage of them while you have the time to invest in this new and exciting decision.
When will my vehicle be delivered?
We have worked with all our suppliers – both funders and manufacturers – to agree a contactless approach to car deliveries.
Each car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before being delivered. Once the car arrives with you it is re-sanitised – including the keys – and then the keys are left in an agreed safe place to reduce unnecessary contact and increased risk. Any additional information or guidance regarding the new vehicle will be provided subsequently via telephone or video calls.
Customers safety continues to be Leasing Options’ key priority and every effort will be made to make sure that cars are delivered safely, whilst still providing our usual high level of customer service and satisfaction.
If you’re awaiting the delivery of a vehicle from us, our advisors will be in touch to provide more specific details on your delivery.
Can I take a payment break from my lease?
The FCA has outlined plans to extend the support measures available to existing motor-finance customers.
Under the proposals, customers who have not yet had a payment deferral will be able to ask for one. This could last for up to six months, unless it is deemed not to be in the customer's interests.
Customers who are currently benefiting from a deferral will also be able to request a second deferral.
The FCA is working with funders on how to implement the proposals, as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that this support is intended for existing customers; Leasing Options is committed to treating customers fairly and we will always do our best to ensure that new orders are suitable and ensure 'positive outcomes', given your particular needs and circumstances.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19, please contact your funder via the details below who will be able to discuss the options that are available to you. A full list of contact details can be found here (insert jump to bottom section).
Can I extend my current lease?
Yes – if you would like to discuss extending your lease, give us a call on 0161 826 9716 and a member of the team will be happy to discuss your options and arrange an extension for you.
Can I end my lease contract if I lose my job?
If you are worried that you can no longer afford your monthly payments, you should contact your funder as soon as possible to discuss the options that are available to you. You can find each funder’s contact details at the bottom of this page.
Generally, when you’re in a leasing agreement, returning the car doesn’t necessarily mean you can walk away without having to pay a fee. Depending on the agreement you have, you may be required to pay off the leasing costs in full if you return the vehicle before the end of your agreement. However, all funders have measures in place to support customers who find themselves in financial difficulty.
Can I still drive my vehicle?
The Government has issued clear guidance on when it is acceptable to be out in cars and on the road, namely:
- to shop for essentials, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
- to travel to outdoor spaces for exercise
- to travel to care for dependents/people you care for
- to take children to and from school
If you need fuel, you can get it but only if it is essential for one of the three reasons listed above.
Petrol stations are open – please follow the safety precautions while there, including the use of gloves and socially distancing when paying. Where possible please pay by contactless card payment.
Will my vehicle battery die if I don’t drive?
If the vehicle is locked up and left for an extended period of time, the battery may go flat. Newer vehicles do have better systems, which limit voltage draws causing battery drainage.
It is recommended that you should start your vehicle and run it for ten minutes once a week, if unused for extended periods. This will charge the battery and circulate the vital fluids.
What happens with my MOT and servicing?
The government has confirmed that garages in England and Scotland can remain open for repairs, servicing and MOT testing during the November 'lockdown'. Non-essential servicing in Wales should be deferred until after the ‘firebreak’ restrictions end on 9 November 2020.
What are your operating hours?
Leasing Options is open and operating as usual, although working remotely and safely at home.
Our operating hours are:
Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
Thursday: 9am to 6pm
Friday: 9am to 5.30pm
You can get in touch the following ways:
Call us on 0161 826 9716 / 0161 703 8744
Visit our website www.leasingoptions.co.uk
Complete a contact form https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/contact
Contact us via social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) @LeasingOptions
Email us on info@leasingoptions.co.uk
What does ‘locking the price’ mean?
‘Locking the price’ means that we can offer you a deal based on the rates that are currently available to us through our dealer and funder networks. These prices can change at any given time, but if we have your credit accepted, we can commit the funder to honour your deal. We commit the funder, not you.
Deals do change frequently so if you see one that you like, it’s worth contacting a member of team to discuss.
Can I cancel my deal if the Covid-19 situation doesn’t change?
We very much hope that normality will be restored in the near future. However, if the restrictions remain in place for a prolonged period of time, or your personal circumstances change, Leasing Options will allow you to cancel your order free of charge.
If your order is cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, you will not be charged.
I have a question for my funder, can I contact them?
If you have a query about an existing agreement, you can contact your funder directly using the contact details below.
The web links also contain important and useful information regarding your agreement and COVID-19. We would advise you to check the relevant web page in the first instance, as all funders are currently receiving a high volume of enquiries
ALD Automotive
Email: customerrelations@aldautomotive.com
Please quote your customer account number and vehicle registration number.
Phone: 03700 011 181
Web: https://www.aldautomotive.co.uk/news-site/press-room/Pages/Coronavirus-Update.aspx
Alphabet
Phone: 0370 012 034
Web: https://www.alphabet.com/en-gb/covid-19
Arval
Payment queries: paymentbreak@arval.co.uk:
General Queries: brokercustomerservices1@arval.co.uk
Phone: 0345 266 5228
Web: https://www.arval.co.uk/update-arval-covid-19?utm-source=banner
Hitachi
Email: RAMT@hitachicapital.co.uk
Phone: 0343 351 9021
Web: https://www.hitachicapitalvehiclesolutions.co.uk/faqs-around-covid-19
LeasePlan
Email: specialsupportunit@leaseplan.com
Phone: 0344 493 5811
Web: https://www.leaseplan.com/en-gb/covid19/
Leasys
Phone: 0344 561 4611
Email: contractsmanagement.uk@leasys.com
Web: https://www.leasys.com/uk/Documents/Coronavirus%20%28COVID-19%29%20Update.pdf
Lex Autolease
Email: customer.services@lexautolease.co.uk
Please put "Payment Deferral Request" as the subject title.
Phone: 0344 879 6633
Web: https://www.lexautolease.co.uk/coronavirus
Santander
Email: customerservices@santanderconsumer.co.uk
Phone: 0370 134 8751
Web: https://www.santanderconsumer.co.uk/coronavirus/
Urgent enquiries can be made by calling 0370 134 8751.
Contact us
If you have any queries or concerns, or would like to speak to a member of the Leasing Options team, you can do so by calling 0161 826 9716 or emailing info@leasingoptions.co.uk
