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If you had an online account with Vauxhall Finance a new Stellantis Financial Services online account has been created for you. To access or register for an online account please visit Managing your Account.

What happens when your car agreement ends?

Whether you're an existing Stellantis Financial Services customer, or you're considering taking out a car finance contract with us, you might have questions about what to expect when your contract ends.

In this guide, we'll outline the different finance plans we provide and explain what happens at the conclusion of each one. 
 

Ending your car lease

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)

At the end of a PCP contract, you have three options:

  • Part exchange your vehicle. You can part exchange your car for a new one and start another contract. The car will be inspected (see below) for excess mileage or damage, which could lead to additional charges.
  • Keep your car. If you decide you would like to keep your car, you will need to pay the balloon payment (also known as Guaranteed Future Value) of the car - which will be agreed at the start of your contract - and you'll own the car outright. 
  • Return your car to us. Remember, additional payments will be necessary if the car has excess mileage or damage. 

Personal Contract Hire (PCH)

With PCH, you are simply taking out a long-term lease on your car and returning it when the contract ends. Before it's returned, your car will be inspected (see below) and, if applicable, charges made for excess mileage or damage. 

Personal Finance Lease (PFL)

If you opt for a Personal Finance Lease, you tailor your monthly payments to suit your budget. This means varying the deposit and duration of the contract or agreeing a final lump sum to clear the outstanding value at the end of the contract. This is known as a balloon payment. 

At the end of a PFL contract, you have four options:

  • Sell your car to a third party on our behalf. If it sells for less than the balloon payment value, you'll need to pay the difference to us. If it sells for more, the surplus is yours.
  • Part exchange your car. You can part exchange your car for a new one and start another contract. The car will be inspected (see below) for excess mileage or damage, which could lead to additional charges.
  • Return your car to us. It will be inspected (see below), which could result in excess mileage or damage charges. 
  • Extend your lease, paying the balloon payment and a nominal rent until you return the car or sell to a third party. 

Conditional Sale

Conditional Sale is a simple way to spread the cost of buying a vehicle. It works like a personal loan. When your contract ends and all the payments have been made, the car is yours to keep.

Our Finance Products

There are many decisions to make when choosing a new car, but one of the most important is choosing the best financing option for you. Use our interactive tool to help you understand which product is most suitable for you.

End of contract inspection

Depending on which finance contract you've chosen, your car will be subject to an inspection to determine what (if any) excess charges you will need to pay. 

This inspection will cover:

  • Body panels. Charges could be made for scratches or dents, depending on their severity. 
  • Wheels and tyres. Charges could be made for lost or damaged wheel trims and replacement of wheels and/or tyres.
  • Sills and underside. Charges could be made for damages to trim, scratches or dents, depending on severity.
  • Door handles. Charges could be made for damage to handles or their mechanisms.
  • Roof. Charges could be made for scratches or dents. 
  • Door surround. Charges could be made for scratches, dents or damage to trim.
  • Door panels. Charges could be made for scratches, dents or damage to the rubbing strip.
  • Windscreen. Charges could be made for any necessary repair or replacement. 
  • Lights.  Charges could be made for any necessary repair or replacement.
  • Bumpers. Charges could be made for any necessary repair or replacement. 
  • Tailgate. Charges could be made for scratches or dents, damage to the window surround or replacement of panels.
  • Handbook and service history. Charges could be made for a missing service book, an incorrect service interval or a missed service. 

If you need further help or information on what happens at the end of your car finance contract visit our FAQs page or contact us.