You know the feeling. A dashboard light pops up, the garage calls with "a few things we noticed", and a bill you hadn't planned for lands right before payday.
It happens frequently. And it's why one line on a lease quote, "maintenance included", is getting a second look from drivers who used to scroll straight past it.
So what does it actually mean? What's covered, what isn't, and is it worth paying for?
A maintenance package is usually an optional add-on for a leased vehicle that rolls the cost of looking after your car into one fixed monthly payment for the length of your contract.
If a leasing deal says maintenance is included, its cost is already built into the monthly price you see. There's no separate bill on top for the work the package covers, so the figure on the deal is the figure you budget for. Just check the deal details to see exactly what that monthly price includes.
Instead of paying for a service, a set of tyres or new brake pads as and when they come up, you pay a set amount each month alongside your lease rental. When the car needs work, you call a number, book it into an approved garage, and the bill goes to the provider rather than to you.
It isn't the same as a warranty. A manufacturer warranty covers faults, like a part failing early. A maintenance package covers the things that wear out simply because you drive the car.
On most leases it isn't included as standard. You choose whether to add it when you order.
Packages vary between providers, so the contract is always the final word. As a general guide, based on What Car?'s leasing maintenance guide:
|
Usually covered |
Usually not covered |
Check your contract |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual servicing in line with the manufacturer's schedule |
Accident damage |
Tyres (some packages exclude them) |
|
Wear-and-tear parts such as brake pads and discs |
Punctures and damage, such as a nail in a tyre or a kerbed alloy |
Exhausts (some packages exclude them) |
|
Labour for covered work |
Damage caused by misuse or neglect |
Breakdown cover |
|
MOTs, if your contract runs long enough to need one |
Windscreens (usually handled separately) |
A replacement car while yours is in the garage |
|
Replacement tyres for normal wear, on many packages |
Fuel, charging, fines and top-ups between services |
Which garages you can use |
The short version: a package pays for the predictable stuff. It doesn't pay for the unpredictable stuff you cause.
Opinion is genuinely split, and that's worth knowing before you decide.
For some, it's about peace of mind. The appeal is never having to budget for the car beyond one monthly figure, and never having to haggle with a garage over a quote.
Others prefer to pay as they go. At a Fleet News roundtable, some fleet managers explained they'd split maintenance out of their leases so they could control costs themselves. Several also felt maintenance on electric cars had been priced cautiously, given that many of their EVs needed very little work.
You'll find the same question asked again and again by everyday drivers too. On Reddit's CarTalkUK forum, people have started threads asking whether it makes sense to add the maintenance package to a lease, and looking for advice on service and maintenance packages before signing.
The common thread across both camps? Nobody regrets knowing what they've signed up for. The frustration comes from assuming something was covered when it wasn't.
The honest answer is that a maintenance package suits some drivers far better than others. What Car?'s rule of thumb is that drivers covering around 20,000 miles a year or more are more likely to benefit, while low-mileage drivers are often better off paying as they go.
|
Driver |
Likely to suit? |
Why |
|---|---|---|
| High mileage drivers |
Often yes |
More services, more tyres and brakes inside the contract |
|
Low mileage, short contract |
Often no |
A new car may only need one or two services in two years |
|
Families on a tight budget |
Often yes |
One fixed figure is easier to plan around than surprise bills |
|
Business users |
Often yes |
Fixed, predictable costs are simpler to account for; check the tax position with your accountant |
|
Electric car drivers |
Depends |
Less to service, but tyres can wear faster |
|
Confident home mechanics |
Usually no |
You'll likely do better arranging work yourself |
There's also a value you can't put a number on: time. No ringing round for quotes, no wondering whether the work is needed. For plenty of people, that alone settles it.
Car subscription. Subscriptions are typically built around a single monthly payment with more of the running costs bundled in. Wagonex subscriptions come with maintenance included, so it's already part of the monthly price you see.
In England, Scotland and Wales, a new car generally needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. On a two- or three-year lease, you may never need one, but on a longer contract, or a used car lease, you may, and it's worth checking whether your package covers it.
If the answers don't match how you actually drive, the package isn't right for you, and that's ok.
"Maintenance included" is less about saving money and more about removing surprises. For high-mileage drivers, busy families and anyone who hates garage admin, it can make running a car feel a lot simpler. For low-mileage drivers on short contracts, paying as you go is often the better bet.
Read what's covered, compare it to how you really use your car, and choose the option that lets you stop worrying about the next bill.
Do lease cars include maintenance? Not usually as standard. On most leases you're responsible for servicing the car to the manufacturer's schedule, and you can choose to add a maintenance package that covers it for a fixed monthly amount. At Wagonex Leasing, you can choose either maintenance included or maintenance as an additional cost.
What does a lease maintenance package cover? Exactly what's included varies, so always check the contract.
Does a maintenance package cover tyres? Some packages exclude tyres, and damage such as a puncture or a kerbed tyre is usually not covered.
Is a maintenance package worth it? It depends on your mileage and how much you value a fixed cost. Higher-mileage drivers are more likely to benefit; low-mileage drivers on short contracts are often better off paying as they go.
Do I need an MOT on a lease car? Only if the car reaches three years old during your contract. A new car's first MOT is due by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year.
What happens if I don't service my lease car? You could face charges at the end of the contract. Lease cars are usually checked against the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide, and a full service history is part of returning the car in good condition.
Can I add maintenance after my lease has started? It depends on the provider. It's simplest to decide when you order, as adding it later may mean reissuing the agreement.
Thinking about your next car? Browse lease deals on Wagonex and choose your term, mileage and initial payment when you order. Finance subject to status.