Process of handing back your vehicle

We want to make the process of handing back your vehicle as simple and transparent as possible.

So that we can help you manage your account, please let us know what type of agreement you have:

Purchase Plan / Conditional Sale

Personal Contract Purchase

Contract Hire

Purchase Plan / Conditional Sale Voluntary Termination

You can voluntarily terminate your agreement if

  • You have a conditional sale agreement
  • Your agreement must not have been terminated, either by yourself or Santander Consumer Finance

You can voluntarily terminate at any time during your contract. However, if you have not paid the 50% of the total amount payable, your liability is the greater of the 50% liability or the arrears liability. 

If you’re unable to pay the liability immediately, then an arrangement can be made to clear this. If you choose an arrangement, this will affect your credit file.

Fair wear & tear guidance

 When vehicles are returned at the end of the agreement, they should be returned in ‘good condition’. To apply a fair and consistent standard to all vehicles that are returned, we use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’.

FAQ’s

To apply a fair and consistent standard to all vehicles that are returned, we use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’. Please click here to view the guide.

You can choose to have your car collected by one of our collection agents who are based all over the UK. There is a £70 fee for this service.

Alternatively, you can drop your vehicle to one of our nominated auction sites.

To speak to a member of our team, please contact us on 0800 085 1759.

You can drop off your vehicle to one of our chosen sites across the UK. To book an appointment for vehicle drop off, please contact us on 0800 085 1759.

If you would like your vehicle collected there is a £70 fee for this service. If you choose to drop your vehicle to one of our nominated auction sites, this is free of charge.

One of our appointed collection agents will be in contact to arrange a time convenient for you.

If you want to keep your private plate, you will need to organise this with the DVLA before you hand back your vehicle.

What you’ll need to do

  • Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle before collection.
  • You must be present on the day of collection.

What we’ll do

  • Our collection agent will inspect the vehicle condition and record the vehicle mileage.
  • A copy of the vehicle condition report will be given to you.

Please make sure you return the vehicle with the following:

  • Registration document (V5)
  • Service book
  • Spare key

We use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’ to set the standard we expect vehicles to be returned in.

If the condition of the vehicle does not meet this standard, the collection agent will notify you at the time of inspection.

We will send a letter to notify you of the charges.

Once we have received your voluntary termination request this is the termination point of your agreement, and the agreement therefore cannot be reinstated.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a valid MOT at the time of collection, you’ll be liable for a truck fee.

When you chose to end your agreement through a Voluntary Termination, we inform the credit reference agencies of your decision and a voluntary early termination is recorded on your file. This information may be used by other finance companies when assessing you for credit in the future. Please be aware if there is any outstanding liability, and a payment arrangement is not in place, this will show on your credit file as unpaid, and could affect your rating.

Personal Contract Purchase

At the end of your Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreement, you have the option to return the car. You might also have the option to voluntary terminate your vehicle before the end of your agreement. To check if you’re able to, you should check your original agreement.

Fair wear & tear guidance

 When vehicles are returned at the end of the agreement, they should be returned in ‘good condition’. To apply a fair and consistent standard to all vehicles that are returned, we use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’.

Excess Mileage Charges

If you choose to hand back your vehicle at the end of your PCP or PP agreement, and exceeded the agreed mileage, you will be charged for every extra mile driven above your allowance.

Your agreed mileage allowance can be found on your agreement documentation.

If your agreed annual mileage is 10,000 miles, this gives you an allowance of 36,000 miles for a 36-month agreement. If your excess mileage charge is 14.90p (excluding VAT), you would be charged 14.90p for every extra mile driven over 36,000 miles. 

Example of how much you may have to pay if you exceed the mileage allowance and wish to return the vehicle:

14.90p x 500 miles = £74.50(+VAT)
14.90p x 1000 miles = £149.00(+VAT)
14.90p x 5000 miles = £745.00(+VAT)

Should the excess mileage exceed 5000 miles over the agreed mileage allowance, the rate per mile may increase.

FAQ’s

If you have made every payment, including your final instalment, you can contact us on 0800 085 1759 to organise handing back your vehicle.

Your original agreement will tell you if you’re able to voluntarily terminate your vehicle.

To apply a fair and consistent standard to all vehicles that are returned, we use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’.

If you have requested to hand back your vehicle at the end of your agreement, one of our collection agents will contact you to arrange collection.

If you have not notified us yet about handing back your vehicle, you can call us on 0800 085 1759.

If you want to hand back your vehicle, there is no collection fee. You will only be charged a refurbishment and excess mileage charge (if applicable).

If you want to keep your private plate, you will need to organise this with the DVLA before you hand back your vehicle.

One of our collection agents will be in contact to arrange a time convenient for you.

What you’ll need to do

  • Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle before collection.
  • You must be present on the day of collection.

What we’ll do

  • Our collection agent will inspect the vehicle condition and record the vehicle mileage.
  • A copy of the vehicle condition report will be given to you.

Please make sure you return the vehicle with the following:

  • Registration document (V5)
  • Service book
  • Spare key

We use the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) ‘Guide to Fair Wear and Tear’ to set the standard we expect vehicles to be returned in.

If the condition of the vehicle does not meet this standard, the collection agent will notify you at the time of inspection.

We will send a letter to notify you of the charges.

If you choose to hand back your vehicle at the end of your PCP agreement, and have exceeded the agreed mileage, you will be charged for every extra mile driven above your allowance.

Your agreed mileage allowance can be found on your agreement documentation.

Our collection agent will inform you if you have exceeded your agreed mileage at the time of collection. We will then send you a letter informing you of the excess mileage charges.