Contract Hire vs. Buying a second-hand car?

dellfanatic

I read on the Honest John Letters site that it is apparently better and cheaper to get a car on contract hire for, say, £160 per month, for 6 months, after which time you get a new car, again for 6 months, etc.

However Honest John also said that you should be careful not to scratch or damage the car. What happens in that instance? I've got a 10 year old hatchback which obviously has had it's share of car park bumps, recently a 4x4 reversed into my front wing and dented it (didn't stop and police don't get involved if it's not on a public road :rolleyes: ).

I'm open to the contract hire idea as long as the damage/scratch aspect isn't like the rental companies where they'll charge an extortionate fee for 'repair'.

Hope someone knows about this, thanks!


P.S: IF buying, my budget is about £4-5k, no PX.

peterg1965

I don't think you would get much of a car for £160 over 6 months. Type lease purchase or contract hire into Google and loads of companies will pop up.

plane_boy2000

6 month deals would be short term hires so would be loads more than your 160.

For 160 per month I guess you could get something on a 3 year PCP like a low spec focus.

Re damage I believe that they work to guidelines as to what is fair wear and tear over the hire period, but indtead of being screwed by the lease firm you could get the damage repaired yourself before you hand it back.

Hintza

I think on mine it is £100 for a scratch and £200 for a dent per panel. My mate in the business reckons it's cheap. But the week before it is due to back it will be in for a full polish to get rid of the light scratches and for a quick paint job on anything worse.

I might add that sods law will always apply in these cases and no matter how careful you are you will end up with a ding.

tightbarsteward

This is a good website outlinging details on fair wear & tear policy

http://www.clean-image.co.uk/leasing/index.htm