Contract Hire Explained

Car leasing, personal contract purchase, contract hire, lease purchase and car loans are all different ways to finance the cost of cars and vans. The variety of vehicle financing options available today can be confusing so I thought I would focus on ‘contract hire’ and explain how this technique works.

Leasing a car basically takes care of one of the biggest financial issues associated with acquiring a new vehicle which is depreciation. The value of your brand new car falls through the floor, even before you have driven away from your supplier.

When you take out a car lease the residual value of your selected vehicle is calculated. The is the estimated value of the vehicle at the end of the agreed lease period based on the anticipated mileage during this time. This calculated residual value is then deducted from the manufacturers retail price and the remaining sum is divided up into monthly payments that you will pay over the lease period. So the higher the residual value in comparison with the current value, the less you will be paying each month.

Contract hire is a vehicle financing method that has maximum benefit for customers who are registered for VAT, so it is most suitable for businesses and the self-employed. If your vehicle is used exclusively for business purposes you can reclaim 100% of the VAT. Even if your car or van is used for some personal use you can still reclaim 50% of the VAT.

In a contract hire agreement you actually hire the vehicle for an agreed period, usually for between 12 and 60 months during which time a fixed rental is paid, based upon the mileage. You will return the vehicle to your supplier at the end of your contract hire period, much the same as a car leasing contract. You will not be surprised by any unforeseen disposal or depreciation costs.

Contract hire will generally include full vehicle maintenance which can optionally include routine servicing and even replacement tyres. Up to 100% of the rental charges can be offset against taxable profits and minimal capital outlay is required.

It’s no surprise that contract hire is the favoured vehicle financing option for many businesses and self-employed people.

For cheap car leasing I recommend Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.