LEASE lengths are becoming shorter with less money upfront amid Brexit and general new car market uncertainty.

New data from Leasing.com shows that inquiries for 18-month lease deals with a one-month initial payment increased 190% year-on-year in March, with Volvo vehicles the most popular choice on this type of deal.

Although Volvo has launched its own subscription service, Care by Volvo, which includes servicing, maintenance and insurance from £500 a month for the V60, leasing inquiries for 18-month lease deals with one month upfront on Volvos cost between £300 and £400 a month.

Paul Harrison, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Leasing.com, said: “As uncertainty takes a bite out of consumer confidence, it appears more and more people are favouring shorter-term contracts with no large initial payment.

“These are likely to be consumers coming out of existing finance deals who want or need a new car, but do not want to commit to large initial payments or lengthy contracts in a very uncertain market. There is a clear demand for short-term flexibility, but ultimately the monthly price for this flexibility has to be right for consumer budgets.”

Appointed Representative Opportunities with Wessex Fleet

Have you thought about growing your broker business? Are you looking for opportunities for growth? Then why not consider joining Wessex Fleet as an Appointed Representative?

Discover More

Keeping you on the move with leasing solutions tailored to your needs

Leasys is the proud Contract Hire partner of the Stellantis brands, offering mobility solutions from medium and long-term rentals to management systems for company fleets.We work with Brokers to support all their customers requirements.

Discover More

Accelerate your business with QV Systems & Leaselink

Unlock unparalleled efficiency in vehicle procurement with QV Systems’ Accelerate, now seamlessly integrated with Ebbon Automotive’s Leaselink. Tailored for brokers and funders, this integration streamlines the entire process from quote to delivery, empowering you to effortlessly source and order vehicles for your clients.

Find out more

Overall, the Mercedes A-class remains the most popular car to lease, according to the Leasing.com League Table. Four other Mercedes models appeared in the top ten for March, with the CLA benefiting from particularly attractive rates ahead of the all-new model arriving later this year.

Harrison said: “Mercedes-Benz continues to shine thanks to a wide range of vehicles at extremely attractive monthly prices. The brand’s line-up is more varied than ever, and we expect Mercedes to do well throughout 2019.”

Top 10 personal lease enquiries for March:

1. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
2. Volkswagen Golf
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
4. Volkswagen Tiguan
5. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
6. Seat Leon
7. Nissan Qashqai
8. Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
9. Volvo S90
10. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Top 10 personal lease inquiries for year-to-date 2019:

1. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
2. Volkswagen Golf
3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
5. Volkswagen Tiguan
6. Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
7. Seat Leon
8. Volvo S90
9. Nissan Qashqai
10. Audi A5

Top 10 manufacturer inquiries for year-to-date 2019: 

1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Volkswagen
3. Volvo
4. Audi
5. BMW
6. Land Rover
7. Seat
8. Nissan
9. Jaguar
10. Ford