Maintenance, repairs and MOT

For the moment, garages are still providing essential maintenance and repair. To help us keep as many drivers as possible safe on the roads, please only request critical repairs.

If your vehicle needs to go to the garage, or if you’re not sure what counts as critical, please contact our Driver Line on 0344 4937 659

Yes, chipped windscreens must be repaired as soon as possible. If they are neglected, chipped windscreens will eventually crack, resulting in an MOT failure and the need for a windscreen replacement.

If your lease includes glass repair, please call 01663 308824 at any time to make an appointment.

Due to COVID-19, our suppliers are not offering this service until government advice changes. When they are able to offer this service again, 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. We can't promise a like for like vehicle. If you’re an employee, we would advise you to speak with the fleet contact of your employer to find out if it is included in your contract. If courtesy vehicles are not included in your contract, you could ask if the garage offers a collection a delivery service.

You are required to take your vehicle through to a LeasePlan approved garage.

To book you vehicle in for a service please call 0344 493 7659.

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

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

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 will send you a reminder the day before just in case your circumstances have changed. If you are unable to make the appointment, please call the DriverLine on 0344 493 7659 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 will 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 will need to be authorised by LeasePlan to ensure it is required and done to the right standards and this will be done in a timely manner so that the work is done to your vehicle as soon as possible.

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

Tyres are one of the main reasons vehicles fail an MOT so it's worth checking the condition of your tyres before your MOT takes place. If your tyres need replacing please contact our Driver Line on 0344 493 7659. We will often use LP tyre centres for MOT tests to ensure that if the vehicle does need tyres we can fit them during the same visit to save you needing to visit the garage twice.

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

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

If the vehicle is being collected by the garage they will 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. For more information on what to expect on the day of your booking click here.

If there is nothing more complex 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 is not possible to return the vehicle, or if we are going to be late, we will let you know as soon as we can, to enable you to make appropriate arrangements.

The Government have confirmed MOTs due after 30 March 2020 will be exempt for six months (until further notice). However you must ensure you keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition as drivers can be prosecuted if they drive an unsafe vehicle. We have some useful information on what you can do to keep your vehicle roadworthy here (read the latest information on MOTs from the government). LeasePlan will send you or your Fleet Manager reminders when appropriate resources are available.

If you drive a diesel car, please be aware that you need to 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 ten to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. 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 still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.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! If you ignore a DPF warning light, your vehicle could completely shut down and cause 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 then taking corrective action to clear the DPF is fairly simple, all you usually need to do is take the vehicle for a drive of 10-20 minutes at speed in excess of 40mph in a location that is 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. This is what they are designed to do. It’s as easy as that.

If you ignore the warning light then your vehicle will either go into ‘limp’ mode or stop altogether. This will then mean that you will not be able to drive the vehicle 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 are unsure about DPF’s please contact your LeasePlan Customer Service advisor who will be able to help you.

If your DPF is becoming blocked a warning light will come up on your dashboard. DO NOT IGNORE THIS!

It will usually look like one of these symbols:

If this light comes on then taking corrective action to clear the DPF is fairly simple, all you usually need to do is take the vehicle for a drive of 10-20 minutes at speed in excess of 40mph in a location that is 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. This is what they are designed to do. It’s as easy as that.

If you ignore the warning light then your vehicle will either go into ‘limp’ mode or stop altogether. This will then mean that you will not be able to drive the vehicle 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 are unsure about DPF’s please contact your LeasePlan Customer Service advisor who will be able to help you.

Adding ‘Ad Blue’ to your vehicle is the driver’s responsibility. It won’t be covered as part of your LeasePlan service maintenance. To minimise nitrogen oxide emissions, regulations (Euro 6) were introduced in 2016 that mean Diesel Exhaust Fluid (Ad Blue) is now added to vehicles. Typical consumption seems to be around a litre of Ad Blue for every 600 miles, but this will vary between vehicles and driving style. Based on an average tank size of 10 litres, this should last around 6,000 miles.

You will know when your AD Blue level starts to run low when you get a dashboard warning, your car’s handbook will tell you how to refill. If you run out of Ad Blue, 5 litres should be enough to get it up and running.