FAQ's

Why should I use Staffcars?
The advantage of using Staffcars is our ability to provide you with vehicle at very competitive rates and discounts.  We are not tied to any manufacturer, dealer network or leasing company so we can simply provide you with the best deals on any make and model of car or van.  We have excellent relationships with all the main motor manufacturers, leasing companies, dealer groups and also vehicle buying consortiums so we can always get what you are looking for.  We have excellent sourcing and buying power due to the volume of cars we buy and sell each year. 

Can I buy any vehicle through Staffcars?
Staffcars can provide ANY make and model of car or van currently available to the UK market (for commercial vehicles we can provide vehicles up to 3.5t).  If you can't see what you are looking for on our website just simply fill in the on-line quotation form and we will get back to you as soon as we have the most competitive quote.

So Staffcars also sell vans?
Yes!  We may be called Staffcars but we do sell vans too and other related vehicles such as motor homes.

Where do the vehicles come from and who supplies them?
All Staffcars vehicles are supplied direct through the relevant vehicle manufacturer’s UK network of franchised dealers. 

Is delivery and collection included in the price?
All prices include free UK mainland delivery and collection. Very occasionally we may use a supplier who will charge extra after a certain distance.  This is very rare and we will inform you if this is the case.  We would only use the supplier if it is still cheaper taking into account the potential extra delivery cost.

Do all new vehicles come with a warranty?
Yes, all vehicles come with the full UK Manufacturer’s Warranty. Cover is identical to purchasing a vehicle directly from a dealer.  So whether you take a vehicle on a lease or buy it outright, it will always come with the full manufacturer’s warranty.  Most manufacturers provide a 3 year / 60k mile warranty as standard but some provide longer (e.g. Kia who provide a warranty of up to 7 years on some vehicles.  All warranty work and claims can be carried out by any UK franchised dealer.

Is breakdown assistance included in the price?
Yes.  Vehicles include the usual cover from the manufacturer however cover can be extended to until the end of the contract if required – please ask for details. 

Does the price include road tax?
Yes, the vast majority of vehicles come with road tax (or vehicle excise duty to give it its proper name!) for the full duration of the contract. Some Mercedes-Benz deals only include 1 year road tax and occasionally there are other exceptions also.  Staffcars will make you aware if you road tax isn't included for the full term. 

Is motor insurance included in the lease?
No.  Motor insurance is not included in the price and you will have to arrange your own insurance cover which must be fully comprehensive as you are effectively driving someone else’s vehicle.  We do have a preferred supplier of insurance - please see our front page “Insurance Quote” in order to obtain a competitive quotation.

Do I have to leave a deposit?
Typically an initial deposit of 3 monthly payments is required. All prices on our website are based on 3 monthly payments just prior to delivery. Smaller deposits are available, and similarly larger deposits can be given to reduce the monthly payment. Please ask for further details.

Is Servicing and Maintenance Included in the price?
A Maintenance package can be included as an optional cost and will include all servicing, tyres, parts – even things like brakes, exhaust and battery and of course labour. This is for wear and tear only and not accidental damage.  Please ask for further information.

Can I add any options / extras?
Yes.  Think of us exactly like a main franchise dealer so whatever they can do so can we.  This means that if you want different wheels, a different sound system or a tow bar for example, it isn't a problem and we build the changes into the quote.

What happens at the end of the lease period?
This depends on the type of contract taken but usually the vehicle can either be handed back, the contract can be extended, or the vehicle can be purchased outright.  Depending on the contract and finance company you can often extend the contract on a month by month bases or sign up to the same vehicle for 6 or 12 months at a discounted monthly rate.  We will contact you at least three months before the end of your lease in order to discuss the options open to you.

Why do I have to tell you what mileage I am likely to do?
At the end of the agreement the vehicle will go back to the finance company who will in turn take it to auction and sell it.  If the car has done 10k miles a year it will command a decent price at auction.  If it has done 40k miles a year the value of the car will drop significantly.  It is important therefore that we know roughly how many miles you travel a year because if you do a higher mileage the price increases to take into account the decrease in value of the car at the end of the agreement.  If you need more information about this please contact us.

Can I change the mileage on the contract during the agreement?
Yes.  Where your vehicle is running ahead or behind its predicted mileage, rescheduling the mileage can be agreed on both contract hire and personal contract hire agreements.

What If I exceed the agreed mileage on the contract?
Any mileage over the contract is charged at an excess mileage rate.  This rate which is calculated on a pence per mile basis, is different for every car.  You will find that the more expensive cars attract higher excess mileage charges and the cheaper cars lower mileage charges.  Charges usually vary from about 5p to 40p but obviously 40p would be a very expensive car.  As a guide on something like a Ford Focus you would be looking at about 12p per mile so as an example if you went 1320 miles over your agreed mileage limit, based on 12p per mile you would need to pay £158.40 at the end of the contract.

What happens if I want to end the agreement early?
This is possible.  You would need to contact Staffcars to request an early termination quotation.  

How long can I lease a vehicle for?
Our contracts range from 12 to 60 months depending on the vehicle and the contract chosen.  Typicall most people opt for 2 or 3 years.

Are there any hidden charges?
No, the only potential charge is a document fee on personal agreements which can vary on the contract and vehicle taken. If there is a charge it will always be  stated at the time of quotation.

If I send an enquiry or request a quotation am I committed to anything?
No not at all.  We will provide you with whatever information you are looking for and that is it.  There is no obligation to buy from us and no commitment of any kind.

Can I modify the car, such as with a personal number plate?
All modifications must be agreed with the finance company via Staffcars first.  Remember, this is not your car! However, personal number plates are usually accepted but of course Staffcars need to be aware if you are planning to use a personal number plate.  Please contact us for further information. 

How will my payments be collected?
Payments are collected by direct debit.

Do you take cars in part exchange?
We do not have a part exchange facility as such because logistically it would be unworkable as we are in one location but our customers could be anywhere in the UK.  We can recommend a company who will give you a good price for your current vehicle.  Just click HERE for more information and for them relevant form.  It is important to mention that you can nearly always get a better price selling it yourself.  It can be a hassle but if you are willing to do it then you will probably be better off.  If after looking at the above link you still need further information please contact us to discuss your requirements further.

Is Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Insurance available to cover shortfalls between insurance?
Yes, GAP is available.  Please click HERE for more information about what GAP is and how it may be of use to you.   

Are you able to find hard to source vehicles?
We can get hold of pretty much any vehicle in the market place regardless of how hard they are to source as we have contacts throughout the industry. 

What different methods of finance are there?
The majority of our customers are looking for business or personal contract hire (leasing) or to buy with cash although we can provide other forms of finance also.  Please visit the Finance Options Section of our website for more information by clicking HERE.

What is Contract Hire (CH) and Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
There are two main types of contract hire - business contract hire and personal contract hire.  Staffcars can do both.  They are essentially the same but one is for personal use and the other for business.  Contract hire is ideal for people or companies who want to get a brand new vehicle every few years without the risk and hassle of disposing of it at some point down the line.  The monthly cost you pay is directly related to how much the car will depreciate in value over the time you have it and is based on how much the leasing company thinks it will be worth when you give it back.  They also take into account how long the agreement is for and how many miles you plan to drive because these two things will also affect the value of the car.  At the end of the agreement you simply give the vehicle back (or rather someone will come and pick it up) and as long as you haven't done more miles than you agreed and it is in decent condition, you just walk away and hopefully buy another car from Staffcars.

What happens if I miss a payment?
Always inform Staffcars or the finance company before you miss a payment – they may be willing to give you a temporary reprieve if you let them know in advance. However, there are no guarantees and missing payments can lead to the car being repossessed.  Please contact us for more information.

When is the best time to lease a car?
This depends on the availability of promotional offers, which can crop up throughout the year.  Special offers can crop up for many different reasons.  It might be that a manufacturer or leasing company is overstocked or has a special deal to supply cars at a discounted price.  It might be that a new model is coming out and there is stock of the old model which needs to be moved on.  It could be that a manufacturer may be looking to get more of the new model out on the road and offer heavily discounted vehicles to kick start the model.  Typically the best times to look for good leasing deals are towards the end of the month, or the year, and especially immediately prior to the introduction of new car registrations when the industry wants to move a lot of stock on to bring in the new models.

What are the advantages of leasing a car rather then buying it?
This all depends on your preference. If you want to own the vehicle, think your lifestyle may change in the near future, drive a lot of miles and don’t mind higher monthly payments then you should buy. Alternatively, if you like to drive a new car every few years, want lower monthly payments, have a stable lifestyle and like having a car that is always under warranty then you should lease.  You should also take into account how long you intend on keeping the vehicle because if it is more than 5 years you are probably better of buying it rather than leasing. 

I need a vehicle urgently – can you help me?
Certainly. Please contact us immediately to discuss your requirements and get the process moving.

How soon can you get me a vehicle? 
If the vehicle is in stock and subject to straight forward credit checks (if you go down the leasing route), Staffcars can usually deliver within a 5 to 10 working day timetable unless you have an urgent requirement where we can put together a solution for you quicker.  Ordinarily there is a lead time attached to most vehicles however we can often source vehicles quicker than a main dealer as we have many different contacts from where we can source stock.  If the vehicle you require is for a specialist specification then your vehicle would need to be factory ordered and built to your individual requirements. We would let you know the delivery time at the quotation stage.

Why do prices vary between business lease and personal lease?
Business contracts are always shown exclusive of VAT and personal lease inclusive of VAT.  On top of this often there will be more discount on a business lease making it cheaper even without the VAT.  All prices on our website are clearly marked business and personal so it is clear how much the vehicle is in each case.

Does the car have to be returned at the end of the agreement in pristine condition? 
Nobody expects the car to look like it was when it was brand new after being used for a few years.  As long as it is not excessive wear and tear everything will be ok.  A few scratches, small dents and scuffs are generally ok but if they are big then you may be asked to pay some charges.  Think about it logically.  The finance company expect the car to be returned in a decent condition.  If there is a big dent in the door or cigarette burns on the seats this will result in the car being worth less so they won’t get as much as they were expecting for it.  So who pays for this?  You do.  You don’t need to be an angel but you do need to look after it well otherwise you are likely to be charged if you do not meet the leasing/ finance company’s guidelines.  Different companies have different criteria but we have put together a fact sheet that may be of use which you can access by clicking HERE.

I’m just opting out of my company car scheme. What am I best to do?  
Once you know what your monthly allowance is going to be you can start to work out what sort of vehicle you can afford based on cost and your personal requirements. At this point it may well be worth your while to contact us and let us take you through the whole process.  There is a lot to think about – your allowance (remember it is taxed as salary), the saving from your company car tax and the mileage allowance relief available to you.  We can probably even ensure that you get a higher spec of car than you currently think is possible.  We have a section just for car allowances on our website which can be accessed from the main menu above or by clicking HERE.

I’ve never leased before can you help me?
Certainly. The best way forward is to browse our website and then give us a call to discuss your options further. We will be happy to talk you through all your options and explain it to you in plain English!

Am I able to hire a car through Staffcars?
Yes.  We have corporate accounts with all the major car hire companies so should you need a vehicle just give us a call for a price.