PCH (personal contract hire) dominates how we own cars in the UK. According to the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, 64% of new vehicle contracts in 2018 were recorded as PCH – and it’s not hard to understand why.

With flexible contract and mileage terms, ranging from 24 to 60 months, notable choice of vehicles,
fixed monthly repayments, and zero hassle once the contract agreement has expired, it’s no surprise
that motorists across the UK laud PCH as being a highly attractive way of owning a vehicle.

What’s more, at the end of your contract hire agreement, all you need to do is to return the vehicle
to the finance company. There’s no option to buy and you’ll be able to replace the vehicle with a
new one. However, there is one caveat. When you return the vehicle, you need to make sure that it
meets BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guidelines. If it doesn’t you may have to pay to fix any issues.

If you’ve leased a vehicle on PCH and it has incurred a dent, scratch or other damage throughout
ownership, it’s paramount that you get these fixed by a reputable garage, like Duffy Mechanics,
before returning the vehicle.

What Happens When I Return My PCH Vehicle?

When you return a PCH vehicle, it will undergo a thorough inspection. This will be completed either
a week before returning the vehicle or on the day of the return depending on the terms and
conditions of the finance company.

It’s important to remember that you’ll be charged the full amount to repair any damage if it’s not
covered by BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear guidelines will be chargeable. Typically, if required, you’re
then given a week to complete any repairs. However, if clear repairs are required the finance
company will send you an invoice for any work completed.

The value of the vehicle after the contract has expired is of little consequence to the finance
company when repairs are factored in. Therefore, you must make sure that your vehicle is in optimal
working condition for its age.

What Damage Is Acceptable Under the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guidelines?

At the start of your leasing contract, your broker will give you documentation that outlines the
industry standard for vehicle wear and tear. It’s important to keep this safe as, not only will you
need it when you return the vehicle but, it acts reference throughout your leasing history.

It’s also good to keep an eye on the condition of your vehicle throughout ownership. Most of us
have a good eye for scratches or dents, especially if they’re distinct, such as a cracked windscreen or
noticeable eight-inch scratch on the paintwork. Remember that if you can see exterior or interior
damage, a vehicle inspector will too.

Fortunately, finance companies do allow for a little leeway and fair wear and tear, so you won’t be
responsible for small scrapes and scratches. If you’re unsure if you’ll be liable to pay for any damage,
this information is listed in the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear guidelines, but for ease here’s what’s
considered acceptable.

• Scratches up to 25mm (except where the primer and bare metal is showing)
• Scuffs up to 25mm on alloy wheels
• Scratches that don’t interfere with the driver line of sight
• Tyres that meet UK legal requirements
• Light staining to the driver business seat area
• Damage to the lens (no broken glass)

If in Doubt, Visit Duffy Motors

Getting bumps, scratches or especially dents fixed will save you money. Period. However, what if
you’ve identified damage or faults to your PCH vehicle and are unsure if the damage is covered
under the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear guidelines? Visit Duffy Motors.

It’s always wise to be proactive and understand your financial obligations when leasing a vehicle.
Neglecting to book your lease vehicle into a garage to assess any damage may result in costing you a
lot more money when a finance company provides you with a quote.

Duffy Motors has an established reputation as one of the premier garages in Manchester, a
reputation that’s been honed over thirty years of superlative service. If you need a garage to resolve
any issues that you’re experiencing with a PCH vehicle, get in touch with us today on 0161 834 4168.

Many car owners are still unaware that they can take their new vehicle to get serviced at an independent garage, even if it is still under the dealership warranty.

This means that thousands of people who own cars less than three years old are paying a lot more than they should to have their cars serviced.

Since 2003, EU competition law has stopped car manufacturers from forcing owners to only use them for servicing and repair work.

This should have stopped the big manufacturers from abusing their market position. But often, dealers still warn buyers that their warranty will be void if they use another garage for their servicing. This is incorrect and in some cases is illegal.

If your vehicle is under warranty (new warranties usually last for three years) then it can still be serviced at an independent garage like Duffy Motors, without invalidating the conditions of the dealership warranty.

As long as the service is carried out to the manufacturers specifications, using approved parts and techniques, then the vehicle’s warranty will remain valid.

Along with other good independent garages (find one close to you by using the Good Garage Scheme), Duffy Motors works within all the main manufacturer service specifications. And we have never had any issues with manufacturers refusing to honour the warranty on a vehicle after we have worked on it.

We will only use parts and fluids approved by your vehicles manufacturer, and we will update your service record is in line with the industry standard and can stand up to dealership scrutiny.

Five big reasons to go to your independent garage instead of a dealership

Better price

The biggest reason to choose an independent garage over a dealer service is because you get a better price. One of the major reasons that many of our new car warranty customers choose Duffy Motors is because they know we offer a much better price than most of the dealers in the area.

How much these customers save depends on the type and specification of their vehicle. On high performance cars like Audis, Mercedes and BMWs we can generally offer a discount of 30-40% of what a local dealership would charge.

For smaller cars the discounts are lower, but still significant. On a Ford KA, for example, we estimate that we are 20% cheaper than the local dealers.

Better service

Good service is important to our customers. We put a lot of effort into our customer relationships, and we live and die by the loyalty of our clients.

You shouldn’t take our word for it though. We have over 400 independent reviews on the Good Garage Scheme website, and a 99+% positive feedback score.

More convenient locations

Independent garages like Duffy Motors are more likely to be in a convenient location for their customers. Unlike dealers, that often choose to locate in cheaper premises on the very outskirts of towns and cities, independent garages choose to set up in more convenient locations where their customers can see them and get to them easily.

At Duffy Motors, we are very proud of our Manchester city centre location. We are close to major transport routes, and popular business districts like Spinningfields.  Located in the shadow of the Beetham Tower, we are also close to Deansgate rail and tram stations so it is easy for our customers to drop their vehicles off on the way to the office and collect them at the end of the working day.

Support local businesses

Using independent garages is also a fantastic way of supporting local businesses. A lot of the main dealers hold lucrative contracts with some of the world’s largest motor manufacturers. Independent garages are still family-owned and often have deep routes within their communities.

Duffy Motors has been established for over 50 years. We initially had a site in Salford before moving into the city centre in the 1980s. We wholeheartedly believe in supporting local businesses and the local economy.

Honest advice

Dealerships and some of the bigger garages are renowned for offering bad advice and trying to upsell wherever possible. Customer relationships don’t mean as much to them and they don’t think much about trying to squeeze a few hundred extra pounds out of a deal.

At Duffy Motors, we subscribe to a different model. We always try to offer the best advice wherever possible. Whether its advice on what oil to use for your vehicle, or how to change a tyre – we are always happy to help.

We have even had loyal customers phone up for suggestions on what car to buy next.

Some of our feedback on the Good Garage Scheme