Short Term Car Leasing Explained
"Short term car leasing" can mean very different things depending on who you ask. Some people mean a few weeks. Others mean two years. Here is what it means in business contract hire, and what we do and do not offer.
What short term means in leasing
Contract hire is a fixed-term agreement. You choose a term, you pay the agreed rental every month, and you return the car at the end. Traditional agreements run for three or four years, and sometimes longer. Against that background, 24 months is considered the short end of the range.
It is worth being clear about what that is not. A 24-month lease is still a two-year commitment. If you need a car for a few weeks or a few months, you are looking for short-term rental, which is a different product that we do not offer.
What we offer
Our shortest term is 24 months. We also offer 36 months. We do not offer rolling monthly contracts or terms of one to three months. If you see a deal advertised that way, check carefully what it is, because it will not be standard contract hire.
Why 24 months suits some businesses
A shorter term can make sense if:
- You review your fleet regularly. A two-year cycle lets you reassess what you need, including the size of car, the number of drivers and whether electric makes sense.
- You want the latest models sooner. You swap into a newer car more often, with the latest safety features and technology.
- You don't want to commit for as long. If your business is growing or changing, two years is easier to plan around than four.
- You want the manufacturer's warranty throughout. A new car is normally under warranty for much of a two-year term.
The monthly rental is not always lowest on the shortest term. Rentals can differ between 24 and 36 months, so compare both on the deal page before you decide. The deal configurator shows each term's price for the car you choose.
End-of-term options
When the term ends, you return the car. It is inspected against fair wear and tear standards, and you pay for any excess mileage or damage beyond fair wear and tear. You then have a choice: lease another car, perhaps a newer one, or walk away. You never owned the car, so there is no resale to arrange and no risk about what it is worth.
Ending early
A contract hire agreement is for a fixed term. Ending it before the end normally means paying an early termination charge, which can be a large part of the remaining rentals. The terms are set out in your agreement, so read the early termination clause before you sign, and ask us if anything is unclear. Do not assume you can hand a car back early without cost.
Choosing your mileage
On a shorter lease, it matters just as much to choose the right annual mileage. Every mile over your limit is charged when the car goes back, so be realistic about your driving.
Where to start
Our car leasing page covers the basics. On the short term car leasing page you can see current 24-month deals, cheapest first. If you are unsure whether leasing suits you, read what is contract hire, or business car leasing explained for the VAT and tax points.
Swiss Vans Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a credit broker, not a lender. FRN 668283.