Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I request for a quotation?

  Ask for your quotation request online easily and speedily directly on the webpage of the car that interests you and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to follow up your request. Find out about our special offers. If you prefer, you can ring us on 800 10 70 70 (from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and on Fridays until 5 p.m.).

• Can I choose any make, model or equipment for the new car?

  You can configure your car. You can choose any car (make and model), in the light passenger, mixed or commercial segments, with a gross weight up to 3,500 kg, up to 9 seats and available in mainland Portugal. You can also opt for one of our pre-configured special offers.

• Are the cars always brand new?

  In our offers, we have new cars available but also options for used car operational leasing. Learn more about used car lease.

• I'd like a test drive, can I?

  Yes, you can have a test drive. Get in touch with us on 800 10 70 70 (from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and on Fridays until 5 p.m.), or by e-mail renting.auto@leaseplan.com and we’ll schedule one.

• What are my obligations in an operational leasing contract?

  You will need to pay the monthly fee and strive for the appropriate use and maintenance of the car. Besides that, you should also: 

  – Check the pressure and general condition of the tyres; – Check the oil and water levels – Take the car to any preventive maintenance (in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions) or corrective maintenance that the car requires; – Notify LeasePlan about any incident that affects the proper upkeep of the car; – If the time-frame so justifies, take the car for a MOT inspection.

• Does an operational leasing contract involve making a down payment?

  As a rule, the LeasePlan offers do not require any down payment.

• How to compare operational leasing offers?

  Are you looking for a good operational leasing deal? Have you found attractive offers on the market, but don't know which one to choose? The best proposal is not always the cheapest. There are offers with competitive prices on the market. But not all are comparable as they may not include the same services. It is important that you compare, in detail, the different proposals and make sure that you are making the best choice for your company. Find out all about how to compare operational leasing offers.

• What are the main differences between operational leasing and buying a car?

  There are many advantages of the operational leasing when compared with buying a new car. Find out the differences between operational leasing and buying and do the maths yourself!

• Who does the car belong to during the operational leasing contract?

  Although it is the customer who chooses the car that wishes to drive, it is LeasePlan which owns it and, by a payment of a monthly fee, makes it available for use.

• What am I allowed to do with the car?

  To drive the car, you must hold a current driving licence and you must look after the car throughout the contract period and follow the rules of the highway code.

• The additive AdBlue is included in the operational leasing contract?

  This is an optional service which you may include in your contract with the attendant extra cost.

• What is the minimum and maximum period term of a LeasePlan operational leasing contract?

  The minimum term of an operational leasing contract is 12 months and there is no maximum limit. Generally speaking, contracts last for 48 months. However, the time-frames are flexible and may be adjusted to each person's needs. If you need more flexible or short-term rental, you have the Flexiplan  available with a duration from 1 month up to a maximum of 12 months, with unlimited mileage and which you may rescind whenever you want without any cost.

• What happens if I travel more or less kilometres than those contracted initially?

  The operational leasing contract specifies a price per kilometre. The kilometre adjustment is always made when a contract ends. The adjustment value is calculated by making a comparison between the kilometres contracted upon contract termination and those traveled on said date. So, the surcharge amount (amount payable per extra km traveled) or deduction (amount receivable per km not traveled) is multiplied by the difference between the kilometres contracted and traveled.

  For example, your contract includes 25.000 kilometres with a duration of 30 months:

  • If, as at the contract termination date, in other words, after 30 months, it is observed that you have traveled a total of 30.000 km, it means 5.000 km more (+20%) than those initially contracted, if the price per extra kilometre is, for example, € 0.05, when multiplying by the difference in kilometres, it would have a cost of € 250 (5.000 km x € 0.05). If the extra kilometres traveled exceeds 25% over and above those initially stipulated, the surcharge cost per extra km increases by 50%.

  • if you travel less kilometres than those initially contracted, you will receive the deduction amount per km not traveled multiplied by the difference in kilometres, up to a maximum of 25% of the kilometres billed. If upon the contract termination date, it is observed that you have traveled a total of 20.000 km, 5.000 km less (-20%) than those initially contracted, if the price per kilometre deducted is, for example, € 0.02, when multiplying by the difference in kilometres, you would receive € 100 (5.000 km x € 0.02).

    These values are provided by way of example, you must always confirm the surcharge and deduction amounts under your contractual conditions.

    However, at any time of the contract, you may request an update of the terms of your contract by way of a recalculation, and adjust the number of kilometres owed to a significant deviation in them, with the respective rectification of the monthly fee amount. As from a deviation of 15% you are recommended to do so as in this way you will avoid any unexpected costs at the end of the contract.

• What happens at the end of the operational leasing contract?

  At the end of the contract you have the following options: – Start a new operational leasing contract, returning the car to LeasePlan at the end of the contract; – Extend the duration of your contract; – Ask to purchase the car from LeasePlan. Three months before the end of the contract, LeasePlan shall inform you of the amount for which you may acquire the car that you have driven.

• Can I cancel an operational leasing contract before contract ends?

  Yes, there is always the option of cancelling the LeasePlan operational leasing contract before contracts ends. This option will involve an extra cost regulated in the contract whereby LeasePlan shall apply a 40% penalty to the value of the remaining rents, applied after 12 months of the contract. In other words, the first 12 months must always be paid in full.

  For example, you have contracted the operational leasing of a new car with a duration of 30 months, 25.000 kilometres and a rent of €200 per month. If you wish to end and cancel your contract:

  • 8 months before contract termination, a 40% penalty is applied to the value of the rents yet to fall due. So the calculation would be: € 200 (monthly rent inc. VAT) x 8 months = 1.600 x 0.4 (40% penalty) = € 640. In this case, the penalty for early rescission would be € 640;

  • Once only 10 months have elapsed since the start of the contract, you must assume payment of the two monthly missing to make up the initial 12 months: € 200 (monthly rent inc. VAT) x 2 months = € 400. The 40% penalty calculation is then applied to the missing rents, in this case to the value of the rents pertaining to the remaining 18 months (30 months contracted – 12 initial months = 18 months). And it is applied in the following manner: € 200 (monthly rent inc. VAT) x 18 months (missing) = 3,600 x 0.4 (40% penalty) = € 1.440. Hence, the penalty for cancelling the contract 10 months after its start would be a total of € 400 + € 1,440 = € 1.840.

    In the case of an operational leasing contract for used cars, it is necessary to pay the initial 6 months in full (instead of 12 months in the case of a new car) and a 20% penalty (instead of 40% in the case of a new car) on the value of the rents to fall due.

    In addition to the penalty for early termination, you must also consider any reconditioning costs calculated if the car has suffered any damage, as well as the adjustment to the kilometres to which, in this case, there shall be an adjustment, solely including those kilometres billed and not those initially contracted.

• What should I do at the end of the contract when returning the car to LeasePlan?

  When you return the car, a report shall be drawn up about the general condition of the car and a Returns Form shall be signed by both parties confirming the handing over of the following elements: – Keys (main and spare) – Road tax document – Service history – Instructions’ manual

  The aforementioned report shall be drawn up in line with the LeasePlan Reconditioning Manual for commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles which documents, with text and photos, the scope of the damages regarded as acceptable, distinguishing them from those whose repair costs is quantified as they have an impact on the devaluation of the car.

• At the end of the contract, will I have to pay for any damage to the car, if there is any?

  As a rule, the special offers of LeasePlan already include reconditioning for the sum of € 500 + VAT. In other words, an insurance policy that protects you, upon contract termination, from any costs associated with damage to the car up to a maximum amount of € 500 + VAT. For example, if damage is identified for the sum of € 800, the cost shall be the difference for the sum of € 185. In other words, € 800 in damages - € 615 on protection under the reconditioning insurance (€ 500 + VAT) = €185.

  If you have any queries about the condition of the car, before returning it you may ask for a pre-inspection for an additional cost. This means that an inspection shall be carried out on the car and the damage shall be identified, if there is any. So, you’ll know what to expect when you return the car.

  You also have the option, when signing the operational leasing service, of increasing the reconditioning insurance cover to be more worry-free at the end of the contract.

  If you have not taken out the reconditioning insurance, LeasePlan's policy exempts the customer from any cost in the case of damage estimated at less than € 250. If this amount is exceeded, it shall be liable for the whole cost estimated and not only for the amount that exceeds the € 250 pay-out. For example, when returning the car, if the report refers to damage valued at € 400, the customer must pay the whole €400 and not only the €150 difference.

• What type of damage is deemed to be acceptable when you return the car(s)?

  When you return your car(s), all damage shall be calculated and it may be assessed as acceptable or non-acceptable and may or may not incur extra costs. Find out in further detail about what damage is acceptable in the LeasePlan Reconditioning Manual for commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles.