Returning Your Vehicle
Returning your vehicle
Buying your vehicle
If you're eligible, you or a friend or family member could buy your current vehicle
Extending your contract
If your agreement ends within three months but you'd like to extend it, we can help
Returning your vehicle
If you no longer require your vehicle, you can return it in line with the instructions below
Before we collect your vehicle
We ask that you prepare your vehicle for collection:
- Ensure all items that you received with the vehicle are present (spare keys, charging cables, book packs, etc.)
- Make sure the vehicles MOT is valid, and exceeds the collection date by at least 2 days
- Clean the vehicle inside and out, and fill at least a quarter tank of fuel (or a full charge for EVs)
- For data-protection, you must clear on-board computers of any personal/business data.
If you have any questions about preparing your vehicle for collection, you can speak to our experienced team at vehiclecollections@alphabet.co.uk.
What we look for during collection
One of our trained inspectors will carry out an inspection of your vehicle, before an Alphabet driver collects it. It's vital that you are present when our appointed logistics company inspects your vehicle, as you'll be required to sign the report and confirm that you agree with the stated return condition. It is your responsibility to return your vehicle in a legal, roadworthy condition.
This means it should not have:
- An expired MOT
- A flat battery
- Any tyre tread below 1.6mm, or punctured
- Warning lights displayed on the dashboard
- Windscreen chips over 10mm in the driver's line of sight
- Windscreen chips over 40mm out of the driver's line of sight
Failure to prepare your vehicle accordingly may result in a failed collection, which will incur a charge of £144 (incl. VAT). You can access the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guidelines here.
After your vehicle has been collected
Once your vehicle has been collected, you may be subject to End of Contract charges. These will depend on the condition you return your vehicle in, and any excess mileage covered.
We recommend checking your contract so that you can plan ahead for these or avoid them altogether.
Excess mileage
Late hire
Damages and replacements
Upon inspection of your vehicle, any damage beyond fair wear and tear and any missing items will be subject to charge. We use the BVRLA industry standard to determine fair wear and tear.
Request a vehicle collection
You can start the vehicle return process by completing this form. We'll need a minimum of fourteen working days' notice to collect your vehicle, from receipt of all required information, including a current mileage.
If you'd like to return your vehicle before the end of your lease agreement, please visit our page on Ending Your Contract Early instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
As your contract ends, you have a few different options available. These include extending your contract, buying your vehicle, or returning it to us. You can find out more about each of these options at the top of this page, by emailing us on cs.alphabet@alphabet.co.uk or by calling 0370 0120 392.
To collect your vehicle, we need a minimum of 7 working days’ notice from receipt of your collection request. To make your request, please complete the form above with your collection details.
We will need at least 48 hours’ notice to amend or cancel your booking via email. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, you may be liable for any charges relating to the cancellation. Your contractual obligations may also still apply, so please contact us at vehiclecollections@alphabet.co.uk or on 0370 0120 301 (using Option 9) to discuss how you may be affected.
If we cancel the appointment, you will not have to pay for any charges relating to the cancellation and subsequent arrangements will be made directly with you.
Please note; if your vehicle collection is delayed for any reason, you will remain liable for any damage or excess mileage charge in accordance with the terms of your agreement. You will also have to pay for any parking fees, fines or storage costs that are incurred while the vehicle is in your possession.
The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) are the UK trade body for companies engaged in vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management. The BVRLA provides an industry-wide accepted standard that defines "fair wear and tear" as wear and tear that occurs when normal usage causes deterioration to a vehicle. It is not to be confused with damage which occurs as a result of a specific event or series of events such as impact, inappropriate stowing of items, harsh treatment, negligent acts, or omissions.
For more information, and access to the guides please click here. Our pricing matrix can also be found here and is subject to regular review.
If you wish to retain your private (cherished) plate, please contact our Cherished Plate Team by email on Cherishedtransfers@alphabet.com or call 0844 264 3004. We advise that you start the process at least 2 months before your contract end date.
If you want to extend your contract so that you can continue to use the vehicle and keep your cherished plate, please email csalphabet@alphabet.co.uk or call 0370 0120 392 to discuss your options.
If you're happy to relinquish the cherished plate, please either complete the vehicle collections form above or email vehiclecollections@alphabet.co.uk to arrange a collection, with a note advising of this.
If you have another question, or you need any further information, please either email the team on vehiclecollections@alphabet.co.uk or call on 0370 0120 301 and select Option 9.
If your vehicle is a petrol, diesel, or hybrid, then we kindly ask that the vehicle is returned with a quarter tank of fuel.
If your vehicle is fully electric, then please ensure that the vehicle has a full charge prior to collection.
Should your vehicle not be prepared appropriately, then this may result in a failed or delayed collection.
Ending your vehicle agreement can take up to 14 days to complete from the date of your vehicle collection.
Please note: you will not receive confirmation of your vehicle being terminated on our system.
Unless specifically stated in your contract (i.e. untravelled mileage), you will not be due any credit.
If you feel you are going to be significantly under mileage, please contact our customer service team to discuss a potential mileage reduction.
If you are due a credit or have had confirmation that a credit is due back to you, please allow up to 28 days for the due amount to be returned.
Please allow 4 weeks from the day of collection before cancelling your Direct Debit.
This is to ensure any outstanding invoices (if applicable) are collected by your payment method. Failed Direct Debit attempts due to cancelled instructions incur an admin fee of £10 plus VAT.
Should you have any questions relating to this, please contact the Finance Collections Team on 0370 50 50 185 or financecollections@alphabet.com
We will notify you of any missing items (i.e., spare keys, service books, manuals, parcel shelves, etc.) that were not returned during the collection. Pease contact us to discuss returning them within 7 days of receiving this notification and we will advise where these items need to be sent.
Please provide proof of postage within these 7 days, so that we can remove any charges before the invoice is raised.
If your vehicle was collected in the first or last week of the month, you may receive communication regarding a new rental invoice or notice of this.
Please allow us 7 – 10 working days to process your vehicle termination and apply any due credits to your account. Should you have any further queries, please contact the team via email at usedcarbusiness@alphabet.co.uk.