Whilst we all know that you can lease a car, did you know it is also possible to lease a commercial vehicle? In particular a Pickup Truck! Whether you are a business customer or you just want one for yourself, leasing a pickup might be a great option. In this guide we look at a few of the most asked questions as well as short-term leasing options on this type of vehicle.
What is a pickup truck?
In simple terms, a pickup truck is a type of light-duty commercial vehicle. It has an open cargo bed at the rear of the vehicle designed to carry loads and/or equipment. At the front of the vehicle you usually have a single cab or a double cab with seats, inside they are very much like a car with the latest gadgets and gizmos.
As we’ve already touched on, the most important part of this vehicle is the cargo bed which allows you to transport items like construction materials, tools, parcels and much more. There are a number of accessories that can make them even more usful depending on your trade, these include hard tops for storage, roller shutters to secure loads or loading points for cargo nets or belts.
The pickup truck saw a massive increase in uptake over the years due to it being classed as a commercial vehicle. Company car users saw these vehicles as a great way to drive a large comfortable vehicle without the company car tax burden of a traditional car with the same capacity.
They are also really popular with outdoor enthusiasts, farmers, tradespeople and individuals seeking a practical car with the ability to handle whatever is thrown at it.
Is a Pickup Truck a Commercial Vehicle?
This depends on how you take a look at the vehicle. Pickup trucks are heavy-duty vehicles capable of carrying cargo up to a metric tonne.
The latest pickup trucks not only look amazing, but are also ideal for those who like the safety of the latest technology which can make really practical family cars.
Single cab pickup trucks usually have a front ro of 2 maybe 3 seats across, some may have “jumpseats” in the rear for occasional movements of adults with flip down seats like those you find in a football stadium.
Double-cab pickup trucks have two rows of fulls size seats all usually with ample leg room making them ideal for children and adults. They also have ISOFIX points for child seats.
How much does it cost to lease a Pickup Truck?
Leasing a pickup truck can be a great alternative to outright purchase or traditional financing methods such as hire purchase. It isn’t as expensive as you may think to lease a pickup.
Pickup trucks currently hold their value well and with all leasing the monthly payment is usually based on the depreciation of the vehicle. This makes pickup trucks a great choice when considering the finance method to use.
There are plenty of pickup truck leasing deals available and it might be worth considering using our Find a Car Lease service to get the best prices on pickup trucks.
Advantages of leasing a pickup
Here are a few advantages to leasing a pickup truck:
Brand New Vehicle
Most pickup lease deals are based on brand new vehicles and this is a great way of being able to drive the latest vehicles every 2/3/4 years.
Maintenance Contracts Available
You can add a maintenance contract to your pickup lease agreement to give you true fixed term motoring for the duration of your contract.
Fixed Monthly Payments
With a pickup truck lease you get fixed monthly payments for the duration of your contract. The only thing that can alter the price is a VAT rate change or if you need to increase the mileage.
No Resale Hassles
At the end of the lease term you don’t need to worry about selling the vehicle or part exchange. The vehicle gets returned back to the leasing company or funder, then you just start again with a new lease.
Tax benefits
If you have taken the vehicle on a business car lease, you might be able to take advantage of tax benefits, these could include being able to reclaim some or all of the VAT. It is always best to speak to your accountant to see what the benefits are to your business.
Regular New Vehicles
With a pickup lease you will commit to a 2/3/4 year lease, this allows you to drive a new vehicle on a more regular basis at a lower monthly price point than traditional financing.
Disadvantages of leasing a pickup
Here are a few disadvantages to leasing a pickup truck:
Ownership
You will never own the vehicle during the contract hire length, it will always be the leasing company/funder. You may not be able to buy the vehicle at the end of the contract.
Mileage Restrictions
Almost all types of pickup truck leases will have a mileage restriction. This is uaully based on an annual mileage or contracted mileage. If you exceed the limit, you will usually have to pay an excess mileage charge.
Damage / Wear & Tear
Any damage that exceeds the fair, wear and tear policy of the pickup truck lease will be chargeable. Depending on your trade, a lease may not be the right financing method.
Early Termination Charges
2, 3 or 4 year leases can be a long time if your circumstances change. If you need to end your pickup truck lease early you will more than likely have to pay an early termination fee. This amount varies from contract-to-contract. If you think 2 years is a long time, it might be worth considering a short-term solution (See below).
Can I take a Pickup over a shorter-period?
If you think 2 or 3 years is a long-time to commit to a pickup truck lease, then there are short-term options available to both business and consumer customers.
Cocoon Vehicles offers a flexible and a fixed short-term solution as below:
Short-Term Van Lease
Short-Term Pickup leasing is an ideal contract for those who do not want to commit to 2 or 3 years. Contract lengths can vary between 6 and 12-months, these are available on a brand new or pre-registered vehicle.
It isn’t possible to reduce or extend the term of one of these short-term pickup leases, so it is important you choose correctly. It may not be possible to get the vehicle you need as there are only limited options available on these types of short-term agreements.
Van Subscriptions
If you need a flexible pickup truck solution a van subscription is a great way of running a commercial vehicle on a month-to-month basis. Vehicle types may be restricted and pickup trucks are not always available due to the high demand for these types of vehicles.
Van subscriptions are excellent as they offer one monthly payment that covers the rental, maintenance, servicing, warranty, road tax and breakdown assistance. You also only ever pay for the time you are in the vehicle making them a great flexible lease solution.
Can I get a pickup truck with no deposit?
Most pickup truck lease deals will involve an initial payment which will be the equivilent of 3 or 6 months, this may also be displayed as a 3+ or 6+ – This isn’t a deposit as such as this is non-refundable. These may also be called payment profiles.
But it is possible to get a 1+ initial rental on various pickup truck lease deals, it just increases your monthly payments slightly.
If you need any help with getting a price on a pickup truck on a lease, please contact the team.
More Information Pickups
If you would like any further information on leasing a pickup truck, please speak to the team on 01332 290173 or by using the ENQUIRY FORM at the bottom of this guide.
