How to Lease a Car: Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Personal & Business Leasing
If you’re wondering how to lease a car, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide explains the entire personal and business leasing process in simple terms. At Silverstone Leasing, we make car leasing easy, transparent, and fully supported online, over the phone, or in person at our barn conversion in Northamptonshire.
How to Lease a Car: Simple Guide for Personal and Business Leasing
Leasing a car doesn’t need to be confusing. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve leased before, this guide explains exactly how car leasing works at Silverstone Leasing. We’ll walk you through every step — from choosing your car to delivery day — with clear explanations and full support from our award-winning team.
What Is Car Leasing?
Car leasing is a way to drive a brand-new car by paying a fixed monthly amount, without owning the vehicle. It works like a long-term rental: you choose a car, select your contract length, pick your annual mileage, and hand the car back at the end.
You don’t have to worry about depreciation, resale value, or selling the car later — you simply enjoy a new vehicle with predictable monthly costs.
Leasing is available as:
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Personal Contract Hire (PCH) – for private individuals
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Business Contract Hire (BCH) – for companies, sole traders and partnerships
Both work almost the same way. The main difference is VAT and tax treatment, which Silverstone Leasing can explain clearly to help you choose the right option.
Step 1: Choose Your Car and Lease Terms
The first step is deciding:
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Which car you want
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How long you want it for
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How many miles you’ll drive each year
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Whether it’s a personal or business lease
If you’re unsure, our specialists can help you choose the right model and contract. At Silverstone Leasing, you can access thousands of vehicles from a wide range of brands, at competitive prices.
You can:
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Visit us at The Barn for face-to-face support
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Call us for quick guidance
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Send an online enquiry if you prefer a digital process
From the very first conversation, you’ll get honest advice, no jargon, and a friendly team who want you to feel confident.
Step 2: Get a Quote and Start Your Application
Once you’ve chosen your car and contract, the next step is getting a clear, personalised quote.
Your quote will include:
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Monthly rental
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Initial rental
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What’s included
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Optional extras such as maintenance
Our quotes are transparent — no hidden fees and no surprises.
If the quote suits you, you then complete a finance application.
For personal leasing, we’ll need:
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Basic personal details
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Employment and income information
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Proof of identity and address
For business leasing, we’ll need:
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Company information
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Financial details
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Director details
This is standard for all leasing agreements. And if you want help completing it, we can do it with you, either over the phone or in person.
Step 3: Approval, Finance Checks & Signing Your Lease
After your application is submitted, we send it to the finance provider for approval. They carry out:
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A credit check
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Affordability checks
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Business checks (for company leases)
Approval is often very quick. If the finance company needs anything else, we’ll let you know immediately and assist you.
Once approved, you’ll receive your lease agreement, which clearly outlines:
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Monthly payments
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Mileage limit
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Contract length
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Terms and conditions
We’ll guide you through the contract to ensure everything is clear before you sign. After signing, your order is officially placed and your car is secured.
Speak to Our Team Today We’re here to make your leasing journey simple, clear, and stress-free.
Step 4: Delivery Day – Your New Car Arrives
After the paperwork is complete, we arrange free UK mainland delivery of your new car to your home or workplace.
If the car is in stock, delivery can be fast. If it’s a factory order, we’ll keep you updated throughout.
On delivery day:
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Inspect the vehicle with the driver
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Sign the delivery note
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Ensure everything matches your order
Your initial rental is usually taken just before or after delivery, depending on the finance provider.
Make sure you arrange fully comprehensive insurance to start on the delivery day.
Step 5: During Your Lease – Full Ongoing Support
Once your car has arrived, you can enjoy driving with complete confidence. Your monthly payments are fixed and the car is under warranty during your lease.
And you’re never on your own.
Silverstone Leasing provides:
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Ongoing aftercare
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Help with servicing or tyres
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Advice on mileage, maintenance or changes
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Support right through to the end of your agreement
Towards the end of your lease, we’ll contact you to arrange vehicle collection and discuss your next car. Many customers upgrade into another brand-new model every few years.
Why Lease with Silverstone? Unmatched Support and Service.
Leasing a car for the first time can be confusing, but choosing the right partner makes all the difference. Silverstone Leasing isn’t just about providing great deals (though we do that too); it’s about providing the best support in the industry – truly second to none. When you lease with us, “you’re never just a number. Behind every lease is a team fully committed to getting it right for you – from the very first conversation to the moment your vehicle arrives”.
Our award-winning team believes in fast, friendly communication and honest advice. We won’t bombard you with jargon or hide any details. If there’s a tricky part, we explain it. If you have a question (no matter how small), we answer it. We treat customers the way we’d like to be treated – with patience, respect, and a personal touch. It’s no surprise many of our clients come back again and again for their next cars, and refer friends too. We’re proud to have 5-star reviews and a reputation for excellence, but we earned that by taking care of each customer, one at a time.
Remember: you can always get in touch with us easily. If you’re near Northampton, feel free to visit our Barn headquarters for a cup of tea and a chat. If not, a call or an email works just as well – you’ll reach a real, friendly expert ready to help. We even offer a “request a callback” option on our website if that’s easier. Our goal is to make your leasing journey smooth, enjoyable, and tailored to you.
Leasing a car is a journey, and with Silverstone Leasing, you’ll have a co-pilot from start to finish. We hope this guide made the process clear and easy to understand. Now that you know how to lease a car and how we support you along the way, you can confidently take the next step.
Ready to get started? Browse our latest personal and business lease offers on our site, or get in touch with the Silverstone team for your personalised quote. We’re here to help you every step of the way – happy leasing! 🚗✨
Our Customers
Hear from Our Happy Customers
At Silverstone Leasing, we believe the best way to understand the quality of our service is to hear directly from the people who matter most – our customers. In these short video testimonials, you’ll see real experiences from individuals and businesses who’ve leased with us. From first-time drivers to fleet managers, their stories highlight the care, transparency, and expertise that set us apart.
Speak to Our Team Today We’re here to make your leasing journey simple, clear, and stress-free.
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Car Leasing FAQs with Silverstone Leasing
Yes — car leasing is a good idea for many drivers because it allows you to drive a brand-new car for a fixed monthly cost without the risks or responsibilities of ownership. You don’t have to worry about depreciation, selling the car later, or taking out a large loan. Road tax is usually included, the car stays under warranty, and monthly payments are often lower than financing a purchase. Leasing is especially ideal if you like upgrading to a new car every few years, prefer predictable costs, or want access to the latest technology, safety features, and improved fuel efficiency.
It’s also a strong choice for businesses because lease payments may offer tax advantages and help with cash flow planning. Whether personal or business, leasing is designed to keep things simple, affordable and hassle-free.
To lease a car, you need to meet a few basic requirements. For a personal lease, you’ll need to be over 18, hold a valid UK driving licence, and pass a standard credit check. Finance providers will ask for proof of identity, recent address history, employment and income details to ensure the agreement is affordable.
For business leasing, the company must be UK-registered and financially stable. You’ll typically need to provide company details, director information, and financial documents such as accounts or bank statements. Some sole traders may need to provide personal information as well.
These requirements are standard across the industry and help the finance provider confirm that the agreement is suitable and safe for both parties. At Silverstone Leasing, our team will guide you through the whole process and explain exactly what documentation is needed.
Leasing is worth it for many customers because it offers low, predictable monthly costs and access to new, reliable vehicles without long-term commitment. Instead of tying money up in a depreciating asset, you simply choose your car, make fixed monthly payments, and hand it back at the end.
It’s particularly worthwhile if you enjoy driving a new car every few years, want the latest safety or tech features, or prefer not to deal with selling a vehicle. Leasing can also save money on maintenance and unexpected repairs, since new cars are covered by the manufacturer warranty.
For businesses, it can be even more cost-effective thanks to potential VAT reclaim and tax benefits. Overall, leasing represents excellent value for anyone prioritising convenience, flexibility, and affordability.
The process of leasing a car is straightforward and designed to make things as simple as possible:
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Choose your car – Pick the make, model, contract length and annual mileage that suit your needs.
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Get a personalised quote – We’ll confirm the monthly payment, initial rental and all contract details.
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Apply for finance – Complete a short application and provide basic personal or business information.
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Approval & contracts – Once approved, you receive your lease agreement to review and sign.
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Free delivery – Your brand-new car is delivered to your home or workplace at a time that suits you.
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Enjoy ongoing support – During your lease, Silverstone Leasing is here to help with servicing questions, mileage queries and general aftercare.
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End of lease – At the end of the agreement, simply return the car. Many customers then choose a new lease and start again with a fresh vehicle.
The whole journey is supported by our experienced team, ensuring every step is clear, transparent and stress-free.
Leasing a car with poor credit can be more difficult, but not impossible. Finance providers look for a history of reliable payments, so having a stronger credit score makes approval more likely. If your credit is lower, you may still be accepted but could be asked for additional information or to consider a different vehicle or contract. The best thing to do is speak to our team — we can guide you through the application, explain what lenders look for, and help you choose an option that gives you the best chance of approval.
No. With Personal Contract Hire (PCH) or Business Contract Hire (BCH), you return the vehicle at the end of the agreement. There is no option to purchase it. This is one of the reasons monthly payments are lower — because you're only paying for the use of the car, not owning it. When the lease ends, most customers choose another brand-new vehicle and start a fresh lease.
Every lease comes with an agreed annual mileage allowance. If you go over this, you simply pay an excess mileage charge, which is a small cost set by the finance provider. This is clearly shown in your contract before you sign. If you think you might need more mileage later, contact our team early in your agreement — in some cases, we can help adjust your mileage to better suit your needs.
Yes. Self-employed individuals can lease either through Business Contract Hire (if the vehicle is used for work) or Personal Contract Hire. For business leasing, you may be able to claim tax benefits depending on how the vehicle is used. We can advise you on whether personal or business leasing is better for your situation.
No. Silverstone Leasing prides itself on clear, transparent pricing. All fees — including any processing fees, initial rental amounts, and optional extras — are made clear from the beginning. You will never find hidden charges in our agreements. Everything is explained upfront and in writing.
Insurance is not included as standard. You’ll need to arrange fully comprehensive car insurance for the vehicle starting from delivery day. Some finance providers require you to list them as the “owner or interested party” on the policy. If you're unsure, our team can explain what your insurance company will need.
