Used car leasing maintenance explained

When you lease a used car, it’s important you keep it in the best condition possible. You don’t want to be driving around a used car that isn’t spick and span, not only for appearance but also for your safety. 

A used car lease deal doesn’t come with maintenance as standard, but don’t worry; there are packages available to ensure your peace of mind for the duration of the lease contract. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about used car leasing maintenance, including what maintenance is required, who’s responsible, maintenance package options, and the difference between maintenance and warranties. 

When it comes to maintenance on a used lease car, you’ll need to handle most of the routine upkeep to ensure the vehicle is kept in good working condition throughout the lease. Here’s what you need to cover: 

• Tyre maintenance - As the driver of the vehicle, you’ll be responsible for maintaining the tyres of your used lease car. This means ensuring the tread depth is within the legal limit required for UK roads. 
• Battery and electricals - For used hybrid or electric vehicles, maintaining the health of the battery and all electrical components is crucial. 
• Exterior and interior care - While minor wear and tear might be covered, it’s still important to keep the interior and exterior in good condition. This includes cleaning and repairing any cosmetic damage. 

It’s also worth noting about regular servicing and MOT. Although all used cars leased through Nationwide Vehicle Contracts include a minimum of six months MOT, once this has expired, it becomes your responsibility to ensure your car is road-legal. 

For a second-hand car, regular servicing might include oil changes, fluid top-ups, and brake checks. For more information on upkeep, check out our guide, Top Tips to Care for Your Lease Vehicle.

If you’ve opted for a maintenance package, your maintenance will be carried out by a qualified technician at an accredited garage or franchised dealer. 

If you don’t have a maintenance contract, it’s your responsibility to repair and maintain the vehicle (unless covered by warranty). We’d recommend that you check with your leasing company for advice on who to take your car to, as they might prefer a dealership or independent garage. 

If in doubt, take your used lease vehicle to a reputable VAT-registered garage. They’ll be able to repair the vehicle to manufacturer standards using quality parts, ensuring you don’t get any hefty end-of-lease payments. 

A vehicle maintenance package is available on all used cars leased with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. It covers the cost of all servicing, tyres, and extended breakdown cover for the duration of your contract (specifics can vary depending on the funder). 

It includes: 

• Routine servicing and maintenance for the duration of the contract.  
• Mechanical repairs due to fair wear and tear.  
• MOT tests. 
• Tyre repair and/or like-for-like replacement (exclusions apply). 
• Breakdown assistance (dependent upon finance provider). 
• Service booking and management service. 
• Vehicle collection and delivery (where available). 
• Complimentary vehicle wash and vacuum (dependent upon finance provider). 

What’s not covered: 

• Repairs or replacement due to driver induced faults. 
• Damage sustained in a road traffic accident caused by malicious damage or vandalism. 
• Missing, stolen, or broken items. 
• Tyre and wheel replacement caused by abuse, neglect, vandalism, or sidewall damage. 
• Excessive tyre replacements due to punctures. 
• Damaged windscreen and/or glass replacement. 
• Misfuelling. 
• Consumables (oil, lubricant, and fuel top up). 

If you go without a maintenance contract on a used lease car, you will be responsible for maintenance and servicing costs. 

The easiest way to view the service history of your used lease car is by checking its service book. It will contain the details of every service, including what work was done and the name of the garage that did the repair.

Maintenance and warranty are two things that often get confused. To put it simply, warranty is there to cover the unexpected, such as defects in materials or workmanship, while maintenance covers the expected, such as consumables and scheduled part replacements. 

It’s worth remembering that you are leasing a second-hand car, so the manufacturer’s warranty may well have expired. 

If the car qualifies for the manufacturer warranty, it typically covers:

• Engine issues 
• Electrical systems 
• Gearbox 
• Steering 
• Transmission system 
• Fuel and ignition systems 
• Cooling system 
• Suspension 
• Non-frictional clutch 
• Brake system parts 

For more information, check out our guide, What is Covered by a Car Manufacturer Warranty. 

Used car maintenance is similar to standard maintenance and takes the hassle out of arranging routine servicing and repairs. It typically includes the following (unless stated otherwise): 

• Routine servicing and maintenance for the duration of the contract 
• Mechanical repairs due to fair wear and tear
• Annual MOT test 
• Vehicle collection and delivery (subject to availability) 
• Service booking and management fee 

If you’ve leased a used car through Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, you can add on our used car service plans for a fixed monthly cost. 

You can rest easy knowing that your service will be carried out by specialist mechanics across 16,000 approved garages. 

Your obligations as a customer include: 

• You must have a full current driving license. 
• You should treat the vehicle with due care for the duration of the agreement.
• Modifications to the vehicle are not allowed and could lead to the termination of the agreement. 
• Under your insurance, you’re responsible for fire, theft, or incidental damage to the vehicle for the duration of the agreement. 

Check out our Used Car Leasing Service Plans for more information.  

Leasing a used car is a smart choice, but it’s not without its responsibilities. By understanding what’s expected of you, choosing the right maintenance, and keeping up with servicing, you can help keep your used car on the road. 

For more expert advice on used car leasing, check out our used car leasing guides or call one of our experts on 0345 811 9595 to discuss our latest used car leasing deals.