Thank you to our local Warrington (Cheshire) based Mercedes-Benz dealership for providing the new A-Class demonstrator (while our model was with them for a service and update).
The provision of a “demo” is actually something which is a little bit misunderstood by customers involved in leasing a car; there is a presumption a spare car is always available when it is not. If you have a new car, there will be a warranty provided with it – this will be for anywhere between 3-7 years dependent on the manufacturer.
With a warranty, this is protection for any issues/problems/defects not caused by the driver. A warranty is not there to cover all of your regular servicing/tyre replacements as some customers presume. This is something that you must cover yourself (known as “driver-maintained” in our industry) or you must include for this in contract (known as “funder-maintenance”).
So if my car has an issue I am entitled to a demo/courtesy car? Absolutely not. If you have to arrange your car going to a dealership for warranty based works, it is down to their discretion and vehicle availability as to whether or not you receive alternative transport. Some customers do complain when the dealership cannot offer a replacement car but, with tougher trading conditions, not every dealership can guarantee a replacement vehicle.
Under the terms of the lease and the service provision of a dealership, a customer is NOT guaranteed a courtesy or demonstration vehicle.
So can I protect myself (or my business) against being without a car? For some contract hire arrangements you can include a recovery/relief vehicle within the contract. What this allows is for the customer to have a guaranteed vehicle in the event that their vehicle has to be serviced or needs remedial works under a warranty.
If you are involved in something which is business critical, you need to ensure this included to ensure you are protected.
Some customers have to operate a vehicle at all times and they cannot rely on manufacturer/dealership discretion.
To confirm, a relief or recovery vehicle is an additional cost included within the lease.
In terms of the car shown, the Mercedes-Benz A CLASS DIESEL HATCHBACK A180d Sport 5dr Auto, this is based on the following configuration:
· Cosmos Black Metallic Paint
· Artico leather/Fleron fabric – Black
· 17″ 10 spoke light alloy wheels painted in vanadium silver
As standard the car includes blue tinted glass, heated rear windscreen, rain sensor windscreen wipers, active brake assist with forward collision warning, adaptive brake assist with hill hold and hill start assist, ESP, floor mats, 180 degree rear view camera, attention assist, active lane keep assist, cruise control, ECO start/stop function, 7” colour screen, 7” touchscreen media display, Mercedes me connect, DAB radio, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, dual Bluetooth interface, body coloured bumpers, headlamp assist, LED high performance headlamps, climate control, 3-spoke leather multi-function steering wheel, seat comfort pack, warning triangle and first aid kit, 40/20/40 split folding seats, alarm system with interior protection and immobiliser, keyless go, 17” alloys and hard-disk navigation. In terms of additional specification, you can only add advanced connectivity pack. If you want to upgrade an A-Class you have to add the executive/premium/premium plus pack.
On the technical-side company car and business users can note the P11d at £27,900.00 and CO2 at 111g/km. The 1461CC 7 speed auto engine delivers 67.3 combined MPG (EC), 58.9 combined MPG (WLTP), 116ps and 0-62 time of 10.5 seconds. Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 15,500 miles, whichever lands sooner.
So would the new Mercedes A-Class be your select leasing option? Or would the other great deals nationwide on the VW Golf, Seat Leon, BMW 1 Series or Audi A3 sway you enough to reconsider?
Find the webs best lease deals on the awesome Mercedes A-Class @CarLease UK – or – check out more hatchback lease car deals and reviews below.
