Getting your business on the road and keeping it on the road so that you can offer a reliable, timely service to your clients is essential, but it often comes at a price. At a time when the cost of being in business has never been more unpredictable from one month to the next, we’re going to present you with a shortcut. Vehicle leasing is the smart, flexible, and cost-efficient way to put your fleet on the road.
What is vehicle leasing?
When you lease a vehicle, you essentially take out a long-term loan with a vehicle leasing company, and they retain ownership of the vehicle for the duration of the contract. This means that they have to deal with all the issues of depreciation that happen the minute a vehicle rolls off the assembly line, whereas all you have to do is focus on growing your business the smart way.
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SubscribePartner with someone with experience
The first thing you want is a vehicle leasing partner that has been in business for years and who has the experience that you need. Because of the recent surge in popularity of the leasing model, you will definitely find a whole host of competition out there, but the vast majority of the operators you will be introduced to online will be new entrants. The point is that, while they may have eye-catching offers, only an experienced operator will have the substance to back it all up. Taking your time to find a team with decades of combined experience is always the smart approach.
Look for flexibility with packages
Critics of the leasing model will tell you all about mileage restrictions and try to put you off, but there’s far more to it than that. Mileage restrictions are only there to help the leasing company fairly estimate the value of the deal they are giving you — without them, you would find that you weren’t guaranteed the most cost-efficient option. Speaking with an experienced company will tell you everything you need to know about these types of restrictions and give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing there is plenty of choice. Simply tell them how you want to use the vehicle, and they will be able to guide you through everything you need to know.
Make sure you bundle the extras
Servicing and maintenance are two things that are easy to overlook when it comes to the total cost of getting your business on the road as they’re not necessarily monthly outgoings. The solution is to look for a leasing company that can bundle deals together for you so that you can make your company outgoings as predictable as possible. And because leased vehicles are always low mileage or zero mileage, you’ll find that the servicing and maintenance timelines become much more predictable than with used vehicles.
Always look for full transparency
Contact the likes of Vantage Leasing in Manchester, England, and you’ll find that the answers to your questions are always forthcoming. The last thing you want is endless complex answers and confusing paperwork that requires your signature, only to find out down the road that you’re now tied to a costly, restrictive leasing contract. An experienced team will be able to guide you through everything and find a deal that works for you while at the same time adopting an approach of 100% transparency. And if you find that there is some pressure selling or urgency being applied, never be afraid to walk away — there will always be an experienced name like Vantage Leasing waiting to take your call.
Ask about the returns policy
Last but by no means least, always get the returns policy in writing and clearly explained to you before signing anything. Being able to hand the vehicle back at the end of the agreement and start your search for an upgrade with a clean slate is great, as long as you know what is expected of you. Simple explanations of what constitutes wear and tear and a timeframe for having the vehicle back with the leasing company for the final handover are what you are looking for. If something isn’t quite as clear as you would like, it’s always worth asking the simple question so that you can sleep easy.
What’s next?
Now that we’ve guided you through the basics, it’s time for you to put these points into action so that you can move your business forward. The key is to be strategic and patient with your choice of leasing partner, rather than jump at the first offer you’re presented with. A little extra research and digging at this stage will make all the difference in the months and years ahead when you have a cost-efficient fleet that you can always rely on.
