What condition will a used car lease be in?

Getting behind the wheel of a second-hand lease car is an option that’s been getting more and more attractive for drivers in the UK. 

However, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, “What condition will the car be in?” 

It’s a valid concern. After all, no one wants to lease a vehicle that’s been poorly maintained or shows excessive signs of wear and tear. 

In this guide, we’ll talk you through everything you need to know about the condition of our used lease cars, including common concerns, quality checks, and what to look for when taking delivery. 

Yes, you can rest assured that your used lease car will be delivered in good condition. All used lease cars arranged with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts are inspected, safety checked, valeted, and refurbished (where necessary) to meet minimum car quality standards. 

The checks are in line with BVRLA standards and cover six key areas, including mechanical, exterior, interior, equipment, maintenance, and wheels. 

We also ensure the used lease car meets our minimum quality standards, including: 

• All tyres are safe and meet the UK’s MOT specification. 
• If a service is required, it will be completed prior to delivery (only if it's needed within the next six months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first). 
• Minimum of six months of MOT. 
• Safety checks and valeting to ensure cleanliness. 

It’s likely that one of your main concerns will be the interior and exterior quality of your used lease car. Here’s what you can expect: 

• Exterior - Major chipping repaired, lamps are in working order and meet MOT standards, scratches over 25mm are repaired, no rust or corrosion on any part of the bodywork, and the windscreen meets current MOT standards. 
• Interior - Seats and door trims are in good order, no burns or stains on upholstery, interior fittings are present and free of damage, and the vehicle is valeted. 

A used lease car is inspected by a third-party on behalf of the finance provider to ensure it meets car quality standards. 

The inspection comes free of charge with your used lease agreement and ensures the car is in its best possible condition. 

You don’t need to provide anything for the inspection as it will have been carried out before you’ve taken delivery of the lease. Any used lease car you see will have recently been inspected by a specialist technician. 

If you’ve found a used lease car that you fancy, you can talk to a sales consultant who will be happy to send you images of the vehicle prior to order. 

The images will show the condition of the interior and exterior, ensuring that it is to your liking. 

When taking delivery of the car, you have the opportunity to inspect the vehicle on the day. If there are any issues, you can raise this with the driver prior to signing the delivery note. 

Every used lease car from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts comes with a minimum of six months MOT and roadside assistance, starting from the day of delivery. 

This ensures that if you encounter any issues while driving in your used vehicle, you have support in place to help you get back on the road as quickly as possible. 

Important: The exact roadside assistance coverage varies depending on the funder. We recommend checking your leasing agreement to confirm the specific terms. 

For ALD: 

• Roadside Assistance - Roadside repair or recovery to the nearest garage, your home address or original destination.
• Home Assist - Repair or recovery to the nearest garage from your home address.
• Caravans and Trailers - Recovery for your caravan/trailer if it is fitted with a standard towing hitch and isn't bigger than 23 feet in length.
• Accident Cover - Transportation of your vehicle to a nominated local address if your vehicle is involved in an accident rendering it immobile or illegal to drive.
• Puncture Cover - Assistance with punctures, provided if your vehicle is carrying a serviceable spare wheel or inflation kit.
• Battery-range anxiety (full electric vehicles only) - Transportation for your vehicle, you and any passengers to the nearest charge point, home address or planned destination if your electric vehicle runs out of charge. (Limited to two call-outs per year)
• Lack of fuel (non-electric vehicles) - Transportation for your vehicle, you and any passengers to the nearest fuel refilling station, your home address or planned destination if your non-electric vehicle runs out of fuel. (Limited to two call-outs per year)

For Lex: 

• Support provided by the AA, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 
• Roadside assistance from the driver’s home, workplace, or during a journey 
• AA manages recovery process, including referral to another breakdown provider if covered under a manufacturer’s warranty cover 
• Average attendance time of 45 minutes and 80% of vehicle repaired at roadside minimising time off the road 
• European cover available subject to pre-arrangement with the AA 

If you’re unsure about the terms, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our leasing experts at 0345 811 9595. 

The mileage on a used lease car varies depending on the car's age and where they are sourced from. However, all used cars leased through Nationwide Vehicle Contracts meet these criteria: 

• No more than five years old 
• No more than 50,000 miles on the clock 

Any existing mileage does NOT count towards your lease allowance. This means you still get your full agreed annual mileage without any deductions.

If a used lease car fails to meet inspection or BVRLA standards, it will not be offered as a leasing option. 

Only vehicles that pass the inspection and meet quality requirements are made available for lease. 

Leasing a used car isn’t a gamble. With our detailed inspections, quality standards, and breakdown cover, you can enjoy a budget-friendly, reliable driving experience. 

• Thoroughly inspected and meets strict BVRLA standards 
• Affordable monthly payments 
• Includes a minimum of six months breakdown and MOT 
• Wide selection of low-mileage and well-maintained vehicles

If you’re after a used lease car, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a leasing expert here at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Check out our Used Car Leasing deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.