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Checklist: During the Lease
When Leasing, you need to keep 7 things in mind
27th September 2023
Congratulations on leasing your dream car! I bet you can’t wait to hit the road and enjoy the new freedom you have! And that smell! Nothing better than the smell of a new car in the morning!
But don’t get carried away too much.
It's essential to ensure that you make the most of your experience and avoid any potential pitfalls. This article provides a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the leasing period, ensuring that you maintain your car's condition, adhere to the contract terms, and prepare for the lease's conclusion. All these points will help you during your leasing contract, so that in the end, you will have had a smooth ride in all areas!
1. Regular Maintenance and Service
- Find an authorised manufacturer service centre near you
- Service your car every 15’000km or according to manufacturer guidance
- Keep all service records and receipts
- Check your mileage every 6 months
- Adjust driving habits if necessary
- Ensure your comprehensive insurance remains active and you are aware of updates
- Report any accidents or damages to the insurance promptly
4. Maintain the Car's Aesthetics
- Clean the car regularly, both inside and out
- Address minor dents or scratches
- Maintain a standing payment
- Keep you leasing in mind when budgeting
6. Avoid Unauthorized Modifications
- Check the allowance for customisation with leasing company
- Check the legal status of any planned modifications
1. Regular Maintenance and Service
Find an authorised service centre near you
Where should I get my car serviced?
When it comes to maintaining your leased vehicle, where you take it matters. Authorized service centers offer a wealth of benefits. Firstly, they have specialized knowledge about specific car models, ensuring your vehicle gets the tailored care it deserves.
Secondly, they use genuine parts, which are designed to fit and function perfectly with your car. So, whether you're seeking advice, routine service, or addressing a particular issue, always opt for authorized centers. It's a choice that speaks of quality and expertise.
Also, find the nearest one to you. When you get your car serviced, it might take some time, and you will want to have a short(-ish) journey home and back to retrieve it. This makes the whole affair much more convenient.
Service your car every 15’000km or according to manufacturer guidance
Why do I need to service my car?
When you find a close authorised service centre, it will also be far more likely that you will actually adhere to the service intervals. Regular maintenance is the cornerstone of a car's longevity and performance.
For those who've embraced the convenience of leasing, it's crucial to stick to the recommended service intervals. Why? Because timely check-ups can spot potential issues before they escalate, ensuring your car runs efficiently and safely. Whether you're driving a sleek sedan or a rugged SUV, consistent service intervals are the key to optimal performance.
Keeping up with the service intervals also ensures that the car’s value depreciates less and that it flies through the kilometres like a breeze.
### Keep all service records and receipts
Should I keep my service records?
In the world of cars and mobility, documentation is gold. Keeping a meticulous record of all service receipts and records serves multiple purposes. It provides a clear history of the car's maintenance, ensuring you're always in the loop about its health.
For those considering future trade-ins or resale, these records can significantly boost the car's value. They're a testament to its well-maintained status, making it a more attractive choice for potential buyers.
Furthermore, keeping the records straight ensures that, once you give the car back to the leasing company, and any issues are found with the car, you have proof to tell that you made sure the car is in good nick.
2. Monitor Mileage
Check your mileage every 3 months
How can I check my mileage?
During your lease, you might wonder: “What mileage should I be at right now?”
One of the pivotal aspects of a leasing agreement is the mileage limit. Exceeding this limit can lead to additional costs, often catching lessees off-guard. To avoid such surprises, it's imperative to track your mileage.
Let’s say, you booked a 15’000km/year kilometre package - that would make 1250km per month. After six months, you should then be at 7’500km. Don’t forget that if you have a used car, you need to calculate the kilometres on top of the pre-existing mileage.
See below a table for each kilometre package and the mileage you should be at after a certain time:
| Mileage/Months | 1 Month | 6 Month | 12 Month | 18 Month | 24 Month | 30 Month | 36 Month | 42 Month | 48 Month | 54 Month | 60 Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 833 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 15,000 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 | 50,000 |
| 15,000 | 1,250 | 7,500 | 15,000 | 22,500 | 30,000 | 37,500 | 45,000 | 52,500 | 60,000 | 67,500 | 75,000 |
| 20,000 | 1,667 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 30,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 | 80,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 |
| 25,000 | 2,083 | 12,500 | 25,000 | 37,500 | 50,000 | 62,500 | 75,000 | 87,500 | 100,000 | 112,500 | 125,000 |
| 30,000 | 2,500 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 | 105,000 | 120,000 | 135,000 | 150,000 |
Adjust driving habits if necessary
How can I avoid using to much mileage when leasing?
If you notice you're consistently nearing or surpassing your monthly mileage limit, it might be time for a change. Adjusting driving habits doesn't necessarily mean driving less, but driving smarter.
For instance, consider carpooling on longer trips or combining multiple errands into one trip. Such small adjustments can significantly reduce monthly mileage, ensuring you remain within your lease's parameters.
Also, plan ahead: You don’t want to be stuck at your mileage limit before the year is over - and suddenly be forced to become a pedestrian!
3. Insurance and Coverage
Ensure your comprehensive insurance remains active and you are aware of updates
What do I need to look out for with insurance while leasing?
The world of cars and mobility is ever-evolving. Perhaps you've upgraded something on your car, added safety features such as a dashcam or blackbox, or even changed your parking arrangements.
All these factors can influence your insurance policy. Regularly reviewing your policy ensures it remains up-to-date, reflecting your current situation. This not only ensures optimal coverage but can also lead to potential savings.
Report any accidents or damages to the insurance promptly
Should I also get little damages fixed when leasing?
Accidents, no matter how minor, can be daunting. However, in the aftermath, it's crucial to report any damages or accidents to your insurance provider promptly. Timely reporting can expedite claims processes, ensuring quicker repairs and minimise downtime.
Whether it's a minor scratch or a more significant incident, prompt communication with your insurer is key. It also helps that minor incidents that don’t really affect your driving experience don’t become forgotten.
Your car needs to be in good nick once you give it back, and excessive damage will cost you in reperations - why risk that if the insurance would have covered it when the incident happened?
4. Maintain the Car's Aesthetics
Clean the car regularly, both inside and out.
Do I need to clean the car when leasing?
To maintain the pristine look of your leased vehicle, regular cleaning is paramount. Whether you're driving a sleek sedan or a robust SUV, dirt and grime can accumulate over time.
Especially during our winters in Switzerland, when the roads are salted, the salty slush can expedite the forming of rust under your car and in your wheelarches. So in winter, opt also for an undercarriage cleanse.
The car's interior is where you spend most of your time, making its upkeep equally essential. Simple habits can make a significant difference. Avoiding smoking in the car can prevent lingering odors and potential stains.
Regularly vacuuming the seats and floor mats, coupled with occasional deep cleaning, can keep the interior looking and smelling fresh. It is no issue to eat or drink in the car, but perhaps refrain from spreading (especially smelly) food all over the cabin.
Make sure that any spilled drinks, mud on the carpets, or other marks are dealt with quickly, so that they do not have the chance to dig their way into the fabrics and materials.
By cleaning the car both inside and out, you not only enhance its appearance but also protect the paintwork and interior materials. I mean, who doesn’t like a clean car - it’s just a nicer place to be! Opt for quality car wash services or products, ensuring a gentle yet effective cleanse.
Address minor dents or scratches
What damage on my car is okay when leasing?
Life happens, and with it come the occasional dents or scratches. Do not forget that the rims are also part of the exterior, so be careful when parallel parking. While these might seem minor, addressing them promptly can prevent further deterioration.
For instance, a small scratch, if left untreated, can lead to rust or more extensive paint damage. By seeking professional advice and repair services, you ensure these blemishes don't diminish the car's aesthetics or value.
The following margins are still considered okay when returning the car to gowago.ch:
- Tires:
- Winter tread depth: At least 2 mm.
- Rims:
- Light scratches or scuffs up to 2 cm without breakage.
- Steel rims with minor rust.
- Alloy rims with minor paint damage up to 2 cm.
- Max of 2 minor damages per rim.
- Paint:
- Damages removable by polishing.
- Stone chips in the front (limited density and number).
- Minor scratches near door handles.
- Minor scuffs on door edges and bumpers.
- Minor paint changes from car washes.
- Matte spots.
- Body:
- Up to 2 dents per part, not larger than 20 mm.
- Dents not chipping the paint.
- Damages not affecting road safety.
- Glass:
- Damages not affecting road safety.
- Minor stone chips in headlights.
- Minor stone chips in the windshield not obstructing view.
- Interior/Cargo Area:
- Minor color changes or fading.
5. Financial Commitments
How should I pay for my leasing?
Maintain a standing payment
Life is already complex enough, so don’t make it even more complicated by having to remember to pay your monthly leasing rate. Just install a standing payment at your bank, which automatically pays the leasing bill.
Forgetting to pay your invoice can happen, we are all human. Yet ensure that this does not become a habit. Besides, having open bills will just stress you out. Regular payments not only maintain a positive relationship with the lessor but also bolster your credit score.
Keep your leasing in mind when budgeting
Leasing is a midterm commitment between 2-4 years. Keep these invoices in mind when you are making your monthly budget. It is best to pay your rate at the beginning of the month, so that there is no chance you might forget and accidentally overspend on other things.
If there should at sompoint be a moment where you realise that your monthly budget might be tight and you will not be able to pay your invoice, contact your leasing provider. There might be a way to figure things out without you having to just leave a bill unpaid and risk issues of debt.
6. Avoid Unauthorized Modifications
Can I modify my car when leasing?
Check the allowance for customisation with leasing company
Perhaps you want to wrap your car in a new colour, or install a new exhaust, or customise it in any other way to suit your needs. Depending on what you aim on doing, this might not be an issue for the leasing company. Communication is key here.
Also, you need to check what the policy is for returning the car with modifications. Leasing is a bit like renting a flat - modifications might have to be removed and the original status restored before you give the car back. To avoid that hassle, check out what is ok and what is not.
Check the legal status of any planned modifications
It is paramount to make sure that the planned modifications are legal - Switzerland is a restrictive country and you need to check what you can and cannot modify.
In addition, any changes you make need to be checked by the local traffic council, and need to be marked in your car’s registration document. This can be anything from modified wingmirrors to rims to exhaust systems.
Conclusion
Leasing a car is an exciting journey that offers the thrill of a car without the long-term commitment of ownership. However, to ensure a seamless experience, it's crucial to be proactive in maintaining the car's condition, staying within mileage limits, and understanding the terms of your lease agreement.
This article has provided a roadmap to navigate the leasing process, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance, insurance coverage, and financial commitments. By adhering to these guidelines and being mindful of the car's aesthetics and any modifications, you can enjoy your leased vehicle to the fullest and ensure a hassle-free return at the end of your contract.
Remember, communication with your leasing company is key, and a well-maintained car is not only a pleasure to drive but also easier on the wallet when it's time to part ways. Safe driving!
