End of contract
When your contract is over, you have a couple of options. Would you like to lease it for longer or buy your vehicle? Depending on your contract you may be able to. Otherwise, you need to arrange for us to collect it.
Important notes to remember
Any excess mileage, damage charges or charges for missing service records will be invoiced separately after the vehicle has been collected.
Returning your vehicle
Checking the condition
We know that wear and tear is a natural part of everyday vehicle use. But sometimes we get vehicles back with more damage than that. This is why we apply the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) fair wear and tear guidelines.
Damage that goes beyond these guidelines is chargeable, so before you return your vehicle, it’s worth checking what may be considered excessive or chargeable damage.
If there’s anything that needs fixing, from dents, scratches and windscreen chips to seat or wheel arch damage, make sure to arrange for professional repair. We’d suggest doing this around two months before the car is due to come back.
If you don’t do this, we’ll apply our pricing matrix for repairing the damage. Our standard waiver threshold of £175 means if the total cost of damage is less, we won’t charge you. If you go over this level, you pay the full cost. The threshold figure in your contract may cover you for more than this, so it is worth checking.
Sorting out the return
We need at least three working days’ notice to arrange for the collection of your vehicle. Before we collect the vehicle, please make sure that everything you were given with the vehicle is there to be returned. This include spare key, manufacturer handbook, service history, MOT certificates (if applicable as these are now available digitally), optional equipment, spare wheel and locking wheel nut key. You should also make sure you take all personal items out of the car and delete any personal digital information, such as phone contacts and sat nav favourites. We cannot return personal items once the car has been collected.
On the day our inspection agent will come to your home or place of work. They will thoroughly check the vehicle's condition, inside and out, ensure it drives properly and then, if it meets our standards, they will take it away.
Buying your vehicle
Contract Purchase
If you want to buy the vehicle, you will need to pay the residual value agreed at the start of the contract, plus an ‘option to purchase’ fee.
Lease Purchase
At the end of the contract you own the vehicle. This can be sold on or part-exchanged once final instalment (if applicable) is paid.
Finance Lease
Sales agency agreement, you can never own the vehicle. Must be sold to an independent third party for realistic market value. You retain 98% of the sale value. 2% of the sale value and finance repaid to Ayvens.
Contract Hire
With Contract Hire agreements, things are a bit more complicated, as we are not allowed to sell the vehicle to the company hiring it, because this would breach tax and VAT regulations. However, if the company gives permission, the vehicle can potentially be sold to a company director, employee, friend or family member. To get a quote, the vehicle needs a valid MOT and fewer than 150,000 miles on the clock.