Getting a new car can be a stressful experience and we know that one of the most complicated parts is deciding on how to finance it. There are several ways that you might choose from including:
In this article, we’re going to focus on PCP and PCH as these can often be clumped together, but there are some important differences between the two that you should be aware of, especially in light of the recent news about PCP interest rates.
PCH is the acronym for Personal Contract Hire, which is a personal lease agreement.
Leasing is a long-term rental where you agree to set terms including the contract length, mileage allowance, maintenance package and the specific vehicle you drive. The price will be a fixed monthly cost for the contract length and you are committed to this for the duration.
To learn more about PCH, take a look at our guide to personal leasing or our range of leasing guides that should answer any questions.
There are many benefits to personal leasing:
Leasing offers many drivers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a brand new car that’s a higher spec than they might have been able to afford if buying it outright, especially with the best car lease deals that Xcite Car Leasing has to offer.
Although we know there are many benefits to personal leasing, there are a few aspects you’ll need to consider when deciding if it’s right for you.
The first is that you will not own the car and will have to hand it back at the end of the agreement. If car ownership is important to you then leasing is unlikely to be the right finance option. As you do not own the car there are a few circumstances where you’ll need to request additional documentation from the funder, as they hold the V5 and are the legal owner (and keeper) of the car. For example, if you want to travel abroad in the car you’ll need a VE103 which will need to be requested in plenty time before travel, and will usually have an associated admin fee.
As you don’t own the car you will need to hand it back to the funder at the end of the contract, and it will need to be in a condition in line with the BVRLA’s fair wear and tear guidelines. This should not be a problem for most drivers as the guidelines are designed to be fair to drivers and the funder, but if you are particularly hard-wearing on your vehicle, for example, if you often transport heavy or dirty cargo then it may impact your decision on whether to lease.
Other things to consider:
A PCP agreement is a personal contract purchase agreement, which is a financial contract for the purchase of a vehicle. However, unlike a loan there are a few options available for you at the end of the agreement;
You’ll pay a deposit and then a set monthly fee, with a pre-agreed balloon payment at the end of the contract if you decide to purchase the car.
The biggest benefit of PCP is the range of options available to you at the end of the agreement with the option to purchase the car to keep or to return it and take out another contract on a new car.
Another big benefit is that the balloon payment amount is set at the start of your agreement. This means that if you want to buy the car you have a fixed figure to budget for, and with the volatility of the used market at the minute this is a good thing.
Other benefits include:
As you’re paying for the cost of the car, the monthly payments will often be higher than if you were leasing. And, alongside your monthly payments, you will have to budget for the balloon payment at the end of your agreement. Whilst this is a fixed figure it is an additional cost that most will need to add to their monthly budget.
Just like with a lease you’ll need to consider:
The main difference between a PCP and a PCH is the options available at the end of the contract. If you’re looking for car ownership then this is an option with PCP but not PCH.
Another significant difference is often the price. As you’re paying for the amount the vehicle depreciates in a lease and not the vehicle itself the cost to lease is often lower than a PCP agreement.
The best option for you will depend on individual circumstances and needs. But to help you decide we’ve got four questions you should ask yourself:
If you answered mostly yes then a PCP is likely to be the better product for you. If you answered mostly no then we think a PCH lease will be better. If you want to discuss it further or have any questions about PCH leasing, get in touch with us on 0330 173 8170.
Check out one of our helpful guides or our explaination of leasing to get all your questions answered.
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