Maintenance and repairs

You may need to have your vehicle serviced before returning, depending on when the service is due. If the service is due before the vehicle is returned, then the vehicle would need to be serviced and confirmation provided when handing the vehicle back.

We will only service a vehicle when it is due a service. If you have a maintained contract, you must use our Service Booking line – 0344 371 8033 – to book work (or you can select the service booking option on your DriverLine). It’s vital that we control the service slots, so we can prioritise key workers and those most in need, while making sure your job is handled promptly. Booking in directly with the garage will hamper our efforts to allocate the slots fairly, so we may reallocate bookings if they are not made through our Service Booking line. Some garages are restricting some services such as collection and delivery – and we are urging customers to clean their vehicles before handover. 'While you wait' servicing, MOT and tyre booking has been suspended.

Regardless of the mileage you do, most manufacturers still recommend regular servicing based on the age of the vehicle.

Do not start the engine!

If you put the wrong fuel in your vehicle and you have breakdown cover in your contract, call LP Assist on 0344 493 7644 and select the breakdown option. Otherwise call your own breakdown service provider to arrange recovery.

Please check the drivers’ manual to understand whether your vehicle is safe to drive. If it is, please book an appointment with a garage as soon possible. If you have maintenance in your contract, please call the DriverLine on 0344 493 7644. If you don't have maintenance in your contract, please book an appointment with a garage of your choice as soon as possible.

If the handbook suggests your vehicle isn't safe to drive, and it requires immediate attention, you'll need to get your vehicle recovered. If you have breakdown and recovery in your contract, please call the DriverLine on 0344 493 7644, and select the 'Breakdown and Recovery option'. If you do not, please contact your breakdown provider.

If your vehicle isn’t ‘roadworthy’ (or safe to drive, in other words), you could face three penalty points, a fine of up to £2,500 or, in the most extreme cases, a driving ban. Also, it may invalidate your insurance if you have an accident and the reason for the accident is due to the vehicle not being roadworthy.

For the full details, you can read the government’s guidance about how to check your vehicle is safe to drive or review the Highway Code to see what the rules say.

In short, you need to make sure your windscreen, windows, mirrors, reflectors and number plates are clean and you have working lights and brakes before you start any journey.

In addition, you must have fluid in your windscreen washer bottle and your tyres need to be correctly inflated, with enough tread depth and without cuts or other defects.

You should also carry out regular checks with your vehicle’s handbook explaining what to look at and when. This includes your oil, radiator level, brake fluid and battery.

As long as the vehicle was serviced at the first available opportunity, many manufacturers advised they would extend service intervals, so this should not affect your warranty.

We can provide a courtesy vehicle (subject to availability) whilst your vehicle is in for service or repair if it’s included in your contract, however we can't promise a like for like vehicle. If you’re an employee, we advise that you to speak with the fleet contact of your employer to learn if it is included in your contract. If courtesy vehicles are not included in your contract, you can ask if the garage offers a collection/delivery service.

The vast majority of vehicles taken for standard servicing are returned the same day, but if we find work that is more complex it may mean that your vehicle is off the road for more than the one day. If this is the case, we will let you know as soon as possible and manage the efficient return of your vehicle as soon as possible.

A courtesy vehicle may be available but we can’t promise a like for like one. We can provide you with a hire vehicle (at a cost) if you need one.

If you do get a replacement vehicle, please take the necessary steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and check that the surfaces have been wiped down.

If you have a maintenance contract, you will have made a booking through the DriverLine. We'll send you a reminder the day before just in case your circumstances have changed. If you're unable to make the appointment, please call the DriverLine on 0344 493 7644 as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements.

If you are delivering the vehicle to the garage yourself, you should try and ensure it's delivered by 9am, so the garage can start working on it as soon as possible.

If the vehicle is being collected by the garage, they'll collect it between 8.30am and 10am from the agreed location. If this is a work location, feel free just to leave your keys with your reception if it's easier for you.

All work carried out must be authorised by LeasePlan to ensure it's necessary, done to the right standards, and completed in a timely manner. 

Watch our video on YouTube: What to expect: Booking a service, MOT or repair through LeasePlan's DriverLine

If there is more complex work that needs to be carried out and the vehicle cannot be returned in one day, we'll let you know what the delays are caused by and when you can expect your vehicle to be returned. We'll keep you updated as your vehicle repair progresses and our aim is to ensure you get your vehicle back ASAP.

If nothing complex is found when carrying out your service, then the vehicle should be ready for collection between 4pm-5pm or delivered back to you between 4pm & 5.30pm, unless otherwise agreed. We cannot guarantee a specific time.

If it's not possible to return the vehicle, or if it's going to be late, we'll let you know as soon as we can, so you can make appropriate arrangements.

If you drive a diesel car, please be aware that you must take care of your Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). Your particulate filter must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster as this heats up the exhaust and burns off the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an ‘active regeneration’ process that adds fuel to the exhaust to raise the temperature and allow the filter to be cleaned at lower speeds. However, the revs must still stay above 2,000 for around 10 minutes. If neither of these options is open to you is to use your vehicle as little as possible.

If your DPF is becoming blocked a warning light will come up on your dashboard. Do not ignore this, your vehicle could shut down and this can result in major engine damage. The DPF will need to be removed and cleaned or replaced and you’ll have to pay for this work.

It will usually look like one of these symbols:

If this light comes on, taking corrective action to clear the DPF is fairly simple as all you usually need to do is take the vehicle for a drive of 10-20 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph in a location that it's safe to do so, such as a dual carriageway. This will usually be enough and the light will turn off as the DPF has regenerated itself. 

If you ignore the warning light, your vehicle will either go into ‘limp’ mode or stop altogether. This means you won't be able to drive, and the DPF will need to be removed and cleaned or replaced and you may be liable for the cost of this work.

DPF’s do a great job in reducing emissions and usually will be problem-free providing you take your vehicle for a long drive every now and again, and you don’t ignore the warning lights.

If you're unsure about DPF’s, please contact your LeasePlan Customer Service advisor who can help you.

Adding 'AdBlue' to your vehicle is the driver’s responsibility as it won’t be covered as part of your LeasePlan service maintenance. To minimise nitrogen oxide emissions, regulations (Euro 6) were introduced that mean Diesel Exhaust Fluid ('AdBlue') is now added to vehicles. Typical consumption is around a litre of 'AdBlue' for every 600 miles, but this will vary between vehicles and driving style. An average tank size of 10 litres should last around 6,000 miles.

You'll get a dashboard warning light when your 'AdBlue' level starts to run low and your car’s handbook will tell you how to refill. If you run out, 5 litres should be enough.