Many industries have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus and the vehicle industry is no different - the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently highlighted new UK car sales continue to be affected by an almost worldwide halt on car production, with a drop of 97% in car registrations in April 2020 alone.
While many manufacturers are gradually reopening production across Europe and the world and showrooms and dealerships are planning on cautiously reopening by 1st June, contingent on what happens with the virus, it's obviously a really tricky time to buy a new car right now. 
What about car leasing during the Coronavirus outbreak?
If you need a brand new vehicle soon then the current unprecedented circumstances really do favour leasing a car over buying one during the lock down.
Why is this? There's 5 key reasons...
- Firstly, the car leasing process is really simple - allowing you to remotely specify, order and take delivery of a brand new car all from the comfort and safety of your own home via any of the car leasing industries' websites
- Living in a truly virtual age, you can now easily compare different cars online - there's detailed 3D car imagery, app based vehicle sales platforms, live streaming videos of car reviews, ever more sophisticated automotive publisher sites and even virtual car showrooms popping up everywhere
- Maintenance options, insurance packages and damage recovery can all be easily added to your car lease order at the touch of a button, meaning you can completely package up your car solution
- The car's delivered to your door 'contact-free' - there's no showrooms, no need for interaction with people or collection required - with an additional guarantee of end-to-end-support from order to delivery via our leasing and admin teams
- Taking a lease car is a fixed cost motoring solution, which will be very reassuring given the current economic climate. You set your initial payment and your monthly ongoing payments, and then you simply spend that money every month - you know what you are spending and when it's being spent - there's no hidden fees or costs
Are there car lease deals out there right now?
Our internal teams are continuing to work hard to provide a great range of the best car lease deals in the UK, with everything from economical city runarounds to luxury family SUVs and comfortable commuter cruisers available to order right now. There's also a whole variety of fuel types, with electric cars, various hybrid vehicle options as well as your standard petrol and diesel cars too.
There are still lots of vehicles 'in stock' that have already been built, which you could be easily driving once the lock down has been lifted and deliveries can start. Theyre a great leasing option if you dont want to wait for a vehicle to be built, although you may just have to be a little more flexible when it comes to specification and colour options.
Can I sell my current car and then lease a car?
We work with our dedicated partner, Motorway, to help customers get the best price when it comes to selling their current vehicle. Current valuations on vehicles are obviously suspended, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Simply visit the DVLA website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update to receive updates of when this will be back up and running.
Our hottest car leasing deals right now
We've held a round table with all the car leasing experts in the business, looked at the best value cars in the market and have put together below some of our hottest lease car deals for May 2020 below. We've also included our pick of the electric car deals out there - the new Renault Zoe at the moment is simply great value, starting from just £179 per month for a £31k car.
And, if any of these don't take your fancy then why not take a look at our some of our best latest offers and visit our car leasing special offers page here: https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/special-offers/
UK Favourite - Range Rover Evoque from £287 per month
Land Rover's flagship compact SUV is the UK's favourite mid-size SUV and by far the most successful model in the brand's illustrious range. Freshly upgraded with a mild-hybrid powertrain, the Evoque is no longer the gas guzzler of old and is now one of the most economical SUVs on the market. Combining these reduced running costs with a wide array of interior technology and comfort settings, its not hard to see why Range Rover Evoque lease remains a very popular choice.
New SUV on the block - Mercedes GLB from £300 per month
The GLB is the latest SUV to join the Mercedes range and arrives to rave reviews and a strong start in sales figures which surely has defied even Mercedes' expectations. The GLB is a much-welcome middle ground for those who need something a little larger than the hatchback-styled GLA, but not quite the bulky and weighty frame of the GLC or GLE. As a new model in the range, the GLB showcases the best technology Mercedes have on offer right now - including the intuitive MBUX virtual cockpit.
City Slicker - Toyota Aygo from £124 per month
One of the smallest yet most practical city cars you can currently lease, the Aygo is a great option to zip through urban traffic and pack into tight spaces. For the environmentally-conscious commuter, its also light on emissions and offers an impress 68mpg, which means refuelling is infrequent and light on your pocket.
Comfortable Cruiser - BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe from £246 per month
This sleek and incredibly stylish Beamer is one of the most comfortable and classy cars available for lease. It's interior is awash with high-brow technology and its engines balance both power and economy to great effect. The 420i is our pick of the engines, its an economical petrol that guarantees comfort on long journeys and has plenty in the tank for performance - capable of racing from 0-60 in just 7.7 seconds
The Electric Choice - Renault Zoe from £179.99 per month
Don't be fooled by its dainty appearance, the Renault Zoe is one of the most powerful and reliable electric cars currently available for lease. The 240 mile range makes it comfortable across the longest distances and represents a huge fuel saving that you will certainly notice if you're swapping out a petrol or diesel hatch. Charging at home is easy and safe, with a 7kW charger capable of charging the Zoe's battery in just under 8 hours.
Any more questions during the lock down as to how we are operating? Simply visit our coronavirus information page here or call us on 0118 920 1530 and we'll be glad to help you however we can.
(Prices correct as of 15/5/2020. Terms and Conditions Apply.)
