Returning your vehicle

When your finance agreement is nearly over, you’ll be pleased to know you’ll have a range of options besides simply returning your vehicle. Just choose the one that suits you best.

Buying your vehicle

If you're eligible, you or a friend or family member could buy your current vehicle

Learn more

Extending your contract

If your agreement ends within three months but you'd like to extend it, we can help

Learn more

Returning your vehicle

If you no longer require your vehicle, you can return it in line with the instructions below

Find out how to return your vehicle

How to return your lease vehicle

Read on for everything you need to know about returning your vehicle at the end of your contract.

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

You may be charged for any mileage in excess of the agreed total in your finance agreement. This will be recalculated if you are ending your contract early.

Late hire

If you return your vehicle after the contract end date, you'll receive an invoice each month to cover late hire charges. You can find more information about these in your finance agreement.

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. You can see our full list of damage recharges here.

Request a vehicle collection

You can start the vehicle return process by completing this form. We'll need a minimum of three 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.

Please note: We cannot collect vehicles under private plates (unless instructed). Please contact our Cherished Plates Team on 0370 0120 334 who will be able to assist with transferring your private plate.

Please note: the earliest collection date available will require a minimum of 7 days from request but is not always guaranteed. We do not collect on weekends or bank holidays.

The AM/PM slot cannot be guaranteed, but will be taken into consideration.

You are agreeing that Alphabet GB Ltd, Summit One, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0FB processes and uses your personal data for customer care and for personalised communication of Alphabet's product and service information. You are also agreeing to be contacted for market research purposes. Alphabet GB Ltd. may transmit this data to authorised suppliers of products and services and other BMW Group companies stated within Alphabet’s Privacy Policy and you agree that these companies also contact you for the purposes mentioned above.

Alphabet (GB) Limited would like to keep in touch with you from time to time. In order to ensure that you receive relevant and personalised communications, we will use your data to create an individual customer profile and we may share your personal data between BMW Group companies, authorised suppliers of products and services where relevant. This may include data you have provided to these companies, or which is generated by your use of Alphabet products, for example contact details, preferences, customer history. Further information can be found in Alphabet's Privacy Policy.

You can amend or withdraw your consent at any time by contacting Alphabet at admin.support@alphabet.co.uk or by phoning us on 0370 0120 396. You are also able to request information about your data stored at Alphabet as well as request correction, deletion or restriction of your personal data.

FAQs

My contract is coming to the end of its term. What are my options?

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.

How do I book my vehicle for collection at the end of contract, and how much notice do I need to give?

To collect your vehicle, we need a minimum of 3 working days’ notice from receipt of your collection request. To make your request, please complete the form above with your collection details.

How much notice is required if I want to cancel my vehicle collection?

We will need at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel your booking. 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.

Who are the BVRLA and what does "fair wear and tear" mean?

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: https://www.alphabet.com/en-gb/bvrla. Our pricing matrix can also be found here and is subject to regular review.

I have personalised plates on my current vehicle. What are my options and what is the process?

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.

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.

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