Is leasing feasible option?

Is leasing feasible option?

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crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

184 months

Sunday 22nd January 2017
quotequote all
We have a 7 year old Audi Q7 used as the family car. It's excelled as it's duties and only downside is the ever increasing running costs, which I suppose is to be expected with such a car.
A few niggles and sporadic error codes has been popping up lately which is making me think of getting a newer replacement.
Our requirement is a spacious 7 seater which some boot space left for a pram in the boot with all seats up. We don't need any off-roading capabilities although AWD will be useful.
The car is used mostly for school/shopping runs with the odd weekends away. So I'd say <10k miles a year. We has a Renault Espace before and although it was new there we so many issues so really looking for something German or proven to be reliable.
I've shopped around for usual suspects (really liking the new XC90!) however with p/x the price to change would still be about 20K+ hence why I'm looking into leasing. I haven't leased before but have been following the threads here on PH.
The advantages I can see is that we'd be able to have a new car every 2/3 years and even though we don't have an equity we would be basically funding the depreciation, which for most 7 seaters would be massive during first few years anyway.
I'd also read that some lease deals covers servicing and some consumables too which appeals. In addition we wouldn't need to worry about MOT.
Only worry is any damages and wear and tear caused keeping in mind there would be young children and a baby ferried daily. Can we have the option of sourcing our own vendors to rectify any damages or do we have to go to approved vendors only?
Any thoughts welcomed.