Frequently Asked Questions

Car Leasing FAQs

Application and Acceptance

How do I send supporting documents?

Once you have made an online application we will be in touch to request that you send some supporting documentation, such as bank statements.  The documents help us understand whether you can afford the monthly payments, and confirm your address.  Please email all requested documents to ben@cvsltd.co.uk.

Can I lease a car with poor credit?

Yes you can get a car lease with poor credit.  Simply complete our online application for personal or business leasing.

We will ask you to submit some additional information to assess your ability to afford the monthly lease payments.

Your poor credit history is therefore not an obstacle to car leasing.

Can I lease a car with no credit history?

If you have never had a loan or taken out credit we understand you won’t have any credit history.

Demonstrate to us that you can afford the lease payments, and we can help you lease a vehicle with no credit.

You will need to supply us with bank statements and proof of employment.

Do you need a credit check for car leasing?

A credit check is required to comply with the Financial Conduct Authority and anti-fraud regulations.

We only perform a credit check once we have pre-approved your car leasing application.

We check your credit file to confirm your address, and we are not looking at your credit score.

 

What happens once my lease application has been approved?

Once we have approved your application, we will post you a leasing contract and ask you to sign and return it.

The next step is to pay the agreed initial payment and the one-off administration fee.

Once we have received your signed contract, and your initial payment funds are cleared we will source your car or van.

How do I qualify for car finance to lease a vehicle?

If you can satisfy 2 key requirements then you qualify to lease a car:

Are you traceable? It is not simply a question of whether you are on the electoral roll. It helps, but we will not discount an individual if they are not on the electoral roll. We consider a number of other issues such as how long you have been living in your home (you do not need to own it) and how long you have been in your current employment/self-employment.

Can you afford the payments? We review your last three months bank statements to assess whether you are able to afford the monthly payments. We do not use any credit scoring methods.

Can I lease a car if I have a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?

We welcome applications from customers who have County Court Judgments (CCJs). We look at your current financial situation and whether you can afford the payments to make a decision, and not your credit score.

Can I lease a vehicle if I am discharged from bankruptcy?

We welcome customers who have been discharged from bankruptcy. We look at your current financial situation and whether you can afford the payments, rather than use your credit score to make a decision.

Can I lease a vehicle if I am bankrupt?

We welcome applications from customers who are bankrupt or who have been discharged from bankruptcy. We look at your current financial situation and whether you can afford the payments, not your credit score.

Can I lease a car if I have an IVA?

We welcome customers with individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs). We look at your current financial situation and whether you can afford the payments rather than using your credit score.

Can you lease a car with bad credit?

The good news is you can only lease a car with CVS if you have bad credit. We accept all kinds of poor credit including IVA, CCJ, debt management plans and bankruptcy. As long as you can demonstrate you can afford the monthly payments we can help. We do not use your credit rating to make a decision.

What documents do I need to lease a car?

Once you have completed your application for personal or business contract hire, we will ask you to supply some supporting documentation which is usually:

Proof of Identification – Copy of your valid driver’s licence

Proof of Income – Pay slips and bank statements for the last 3 months. If self-employed instead of pay slips please provide your
HMRC SA302 form confirming your latest tax calculation

Proof of Address – You can verify your address by providing a UK utility bill (gas, electricity, water, telephone landline) issued within 3 months. The name and address on the bill must match those in the lease application.

I've been turned down for mainstream car finance, can you help?

Having bad credit can make it difficult to get car finance through a mainstream car leaser. However CVS do things differently and as long as you can demonstrate you can afford the lease we can help.

I already have a lease vehicle in my name, can I lease another?

Yes, there are many households who do have multiple leased cars in one persons name.

Can I lease a car for someone else?

Yes you can – you will need to make a joint application in your name and the name of the person you want the lease for.

Can I lease a vehicle if my partner is the wage earner but I'll be driving the car?

Yes, you would need to apply as a joint application.

Will I need to put down a deposit?

Once you have been accepted you will be required to pay your initial (first) payment, this would have been agreed during the acceptance process. There are no deposits paid at CVS Ltd we only require your initial payment.

Can someone act as guarantor for me?

Yes, if you are unable to show affordability you can have a family member or partner go on your leasing agreement contract with you in order to support your application. You can also lease a car for someone else.

Can you guarantee acceptance?

We are unable to guarantee every application but in truth no company can, however we have approximately an 85% acceptance rate upon all the required documentation.

Business Leasing

Is car lease tax deductible for a business?

If your business is VAT-registered you can reclaim 50% of the VAT on the monthly lease payments, or 100% if the car is used purely for work. In addition you can claim back VAT on maintenance costs. Please note maintenance is not included and you are responsible for arranging this.

How does business leasing work?

Business leasing, or business contract hire (BCH) allows you to rent a car or van, or a full fleet, for an agreed time – usually 3 years. Once you have paid the initial payment you will make fixed monthly payments for the lease term. At the end of the lease simply return the vehicle(s). Whether you are a sole trader, PLC or a new business we can help.

What is business contract hire (BCH)?

Business contract hire (BCH) is another name for business car leasing. You pay an initial lease payment and then make fixed monthly payments for the length of the lease. The vehicle remains the property of Compass Vehicle Services throughout your lease, and you simply return it at the end of the lease.

Can I lease a vehicle through my business?

If your company is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), PLC, Partnership, Limited Company, or you are self-employed you can lease a car or van through your business.

Can I lease a business vehicle if the company has a CVA?

We look at the current financial situation of your business and whether you can afford the payments. We do not use your credit score to make a decision, so having a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) is not an obstacle to leasing with CVS.

Delivery

How do you deliver vehicles safely during the Covid 19 pandemic?

CVS put both customer and staff safety at the top of our priority during these difficult times, and have developed a safe vehicle handover procedure as follows:

Prior to handover all of our vehicles are comprehensively valeted throughout.
The delivery agent will wipe down all ‘touched’ surfaces upon exiting the car; this includes steering wheel, gear selector, handbrake, window switches, internal door handles and the key fob.
We adhere to social distancing rules throughout the hand over but will make sure that the controls are explained in detail to you.
Instead of asking you to countersign the delivery note, we will place it on the windscreen and take a photo of you giving a thumbs up with the delivery note clearly in the photo. We both keep a copy for our records.

How do I take delivery of my car or van?

You have the option to come and collect the car, or we can arrange delivery. Delivery is free within 25 miles. If you choose to collect we can pick you up from Edenbridge or Lingfield train stations or Gatwick airport.

How long does it take to get a vehicle?

Once we have received all your required documentation we should have an answer for you within 2 working days, the rest is dependant on you paying the initial payment and us sourcing and purchasing your car. Your car will take 10 working days from the day your initial payment is made to be delivered. However we will do our very best to get the vehicle to you sooner.

End of Lease

My vehicle has some damage what should I do before I return it?

Request a copy of the BVRLA industry ‘fair wear and tear standard’ from CVS. If you find that your vehicle has damage that falls outside the guidelines of this policy, you should have this damage repaired prior to returning it. If you fail to get damage repaired, CVS Ltd will have the damage repaired and invoice you for the costs.

I have a personal registration plate - what should I do?

Please contact us at least six weeks before you are due to return the vehicle. We will advise you about removing the plate from your car. It is important to remove this before returning the car, as it may not possible to have the registration returned to you otherwise.

What happens if I exceed the mileage limit?

We will invoice you for the outstanding mileage at the rate agreed within your contract. Contact us as soon as you know that you are going to exceed the mileage, and we may be able to include the cost within your monthly payment.

My vehicle's MOT is due soon - what should I do?

It is important that when you return your vehicle it has at least 5 days remaining on the MOT.

What should I return with my vehicle?

Please return everything that was provided with your vehicle. This includes all keys, the service book, satellite navigation discs or SD cards, fixtures and fittings (e.g. headrests, parcel shelf etc.), and locking wheel nut keys. We may charge for any items that are missing when the vehicle is returned.

When can I start looking for a new vehicle?

We are happy to renew your motor vehicle within the last 2 months of your contract and will not charge you for any unpaid payments due. (Unlike any other lenders we know.)

Should I clean my vehicle before returning it?

Yes do please return the vehicle clean. This helps us appraise the vehicle accurately for any damage or wear and tear, and reduces the likelihood of disputes later.

How do I arrange return of my vehicle at the end of the lease?

It is your responsibility to return the vehicle to the offices of Compass Vehicle Services at your own expense between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm. The vehicle must be returned in good condition.

Will my payment history with CVS Ltd show up on my credit report?

Being a small specialist independent financier your payment with us will not be reflected in your credit score However we are happy to furnish you with a financial reference at anytime during your leasing agreement with us.

Lease Agreement

Is road tax included?

Road tax is included as standard, and will be taken care of by Compass Vehicle Services as the registered keeper of your vehicle, throughout the term of your lease agreement.

Is an MOT included in the lease agreement?

An MOT is only required on vehicles 3 years or older. It is the customer’s responsibility to MOT the vehicle if and when is required.

Is maintenance and servicing included in the lease agreement?

Maintenance, servicing and MOT are not included in the lease agreement and it is your responsibility to arrange these. An MOT is only required on vehicles 3 years or older.

Is insurance included in the lease agreement?

Vehicle insurance is not included as standard in the lease agreement and is therefore your responsibility to arrange a fully comprehensive motor insurance policy. For personal contract hire the main insurance policy holder must be you. For business hire the car insurance policy must be in your company name.

Before you collect or take delivery of your car or van we will require a copy of the insurance document for the vehicle.

What vehicle can I lease?

You choose the car or van you want based on your budget, and requirements. We don’t hold a stock of vehicles, and instead we will purchase the vehicle you want and lease it back to you. So you are not restricted in your vehicle choice.

Are there any extra costs I should know about?

As standard with all leasing companies, we charge a one-off payment at the beginning of your lease to cover all administration for the duration of your lease agreement. This charge is £100 + VAT. If you decide to renew your lease at the end of the agreement we do not charge you again.

How long will the vehicle lease be for?

The majority of lease agreements are for 3 years (36 months). However, we tailor all lease agreements to suit your individual circumstances so if you need a shorter or longer lease we can arrange that.

Will the lease vehicle be in my name?

CVS Ltd are the registered keepers of the vehicle, and remain so throughout your lease agreement.

Is a warranty included?

Most of our lease cars and vans are nearly new, and so you should get at least 2 years from the original manufacturer’s warranty (depending on the age of the car when you lease it and the length of the warranty.) It’s worth pointing out that unlike most manufacturers Hyundai give 5 years manufacturers warranty, which means your whole lease agreement would be covered.

Miscellaneous

Are your prices higher than mainstream leasing?

You will find our prices will be slightly higher than the mainstream leasing companies as there is an element of risk involved in bad credit / non-status customers. We are happy to work towards your budget, so if you have £250 to spend we can show the types of vehicles that fall into that budget.

How does personal leasing work?

Personal leasing or PCH is where you lease a vehicle from us for an agreed length of time – usually 3 years. You pay your first payment (initial payment), and sign the contract before you take delivery. Then you pay a fixed monthly payment for the remainder of the lease. At the end of the lease period you can simply hand the vehicle back, renew your lease and keep the same vehicle, or take out a new lease and change your vehicle for a newer model.

Can someone act as guarantor for me?

Yes, if you are unable to show affordability you can have a family member or partner go on your leasing agreement contract with you in order to support your application. You can also lease a car for someone else.

Used Car Leasing

Can you lease a used car with no credit?

Yes Compass Vehicle Services lease to customers who have no credit history including new businesses.

Can you lease a used car with bad credit?

Yes Compass Vehicle Services specialise in car leasing to personal and business customers with bad credit. We keep a small stock of used cars available for immediate lease.

Is it cheaper to lease a used car?

Leasing a used car will lower your monthly rates as the value of the vehicle is lower.

Can you lease a used car?

Yes Compass Vehicle Services keep a small stock of used cars available for immediate lease.

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