Best short term car lease deals - November 2024
Short term car leasing is ideal for those who don't want a long term commitment, or to own a car outright, but need a new car fast. Here we round up the cheapest short term car lease deals.
A short term car lease deal is ideal when circumstances mean you need access to a car with the convenience of not being tied into a long-term payment obligation.
There’s no official definition of what constitutes a short term lease, but we’d say this type of deal counts for any car rental that lasts from more than a month to less than two years.
Short term car lease deals are more popular with business users, but anyone can sign up providing they pass the credit check and can afford a deposit and the monthly payments.
The business angle of this type of lease means that a lot of these deals major on convenience, so short term leases often come with 24/7 customer support, free delivery of the car to addresses anywhere on the UK mainland and often include maintenance and breakdown cover.
Going for a short term lease car means that if your circumstances change you won’t be out of pocket for long. Business users are also entitled to claim back the VAT on the leasing payments and maintenance, but only if the car is being used solely for business purposes.
However, short term lease deals may not be for everyone. The deposit and monthly payments are calculated based on the difference between the cost of the car when it’s brand new and what it will be worth at the end of the lease.
This factors in the depreciation of the car, which is at its steepest rate - think around 20% - in the first year. That means monthly payments can be quite significant and you really need to work out whether a this type of rental is really worth it before signing on the dotted line.
After more deals on new cars? Check out our round-up of all the best new car deals around.
Short Term Car Lease Deals
We've searched online to find the best short term lease deals available right now. So if you want a lease deal for 12 months or less, you've come to the right place. We update this page every week to make sure we bring you the best deals.
Fiat 500 1.0 3dr
£227 a month: 12 month PCH
The Fiat 500 has been brightening UK roads since way back in 2008. And while there's familiarity with the car's retro looks, its tech has been kept up to date, making the 500 a solid city car that's capable of darting in and out of traffic with suitable verve. It's also a more affordable option if you only need a car for 12 months.
| Initial Rental | Monthly Payments | Mileage Total | Excess Mileage Charge (pence per mile) | Lease Provider |
| £2047.41 | 11 x £227.49 (£2502.39) | 5000 | Not stated | BS Marson & Sons Fiat |
Fiat 600 1.2 Hybrid 48V 5dr eDCT-6
£254 a month: 12 month PCH
The Fiat 600 picks up where the cheeky 500 left off, with a retro-cute design inside and out and efficient engines, just scaled up to fit more people and their luggage. What's more, this deal is still decent affordable, too, which isn't always on offer on short-term leases.
| Initial Rental | Monthly Payments | Mileage Total | Excess Mileage Charge (pence per mile) | Lease Provider |
| £2287.71 | 11 x £254.19 (£2796.09) | 5000 | Details on application | BS Marson & Sons Fiat |
Hyundai Kona 115kW Advance 48kWh 5dr Auto
£554 a month: 12 month PCH
The Hyundai Kona certainly turns heads in a way that its predecessor never did. But beneath all that exterior entertainment lies a solid, cheap to run family hatchback. The interior is rather sober compared to the car's outside, but all models are very well equipped, even the entry level spec as with this deal.
| Initial Rental | Monthly Payments | Mileage Total | Excess Mileage Charge (pence per mile) | Lease Provider |
| £1663.38 | 11 x £554.46 (£6099.06) | 10,000 | 42p | Evogo |
Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e S Line 5dr S Tronic
£579 a month: 12 month PCH
The latest Audi A3 Sportback seemingly adopts an 'if it ain't broke...' approach to life as a premium small hatchback. However, its sharp looks do move the game on a little, as do its frugal engines and its plethora of tech solutions. There are plenty of less pleasant options for your year behind the wheel, that's for sure.
| Initial Rental | Monthly Payments | Mileage Total | Excess Mileage Charge (pence per mile) | Lease Provider |
| £1731.71.78 | 11 x £578.57 (£6364.27) | 10,000 | 54p | Evogo |
Do I still need a credit check for a short term lease?
Yes, as with any other lease you apply for a credit check will take place. However, due to the short term nature of the agreement, these checks can be less stringent than for longer-term loans, or those for PCP agreements with no deposit, and thus can be more appealing to people with less good credit scores. Paying your monthly lease on time for the duration of your agreement helps to improve your credit score, too.
Is insurance included on a short term lease deal?
As a rule, insurance and fuel are the two things that are not included in a short term lease. However, just like an optional extra, you can often add insurance and maintenance packages for an extra cost, leaving you to simply add fuel if you lease a petrol, diesel or hybrid, or electrons if you lease an EV. That way, you can budget precisely each month, which can be helpful if money is tight, or you're looking for extra convenience.
If the latter is the case, it's also worth thinking about car subscription services as an alternative. With a subscription, everything but the fuel is included for one monthly fee, while deposit amounts can be smaller than a short term lease to sign-up, and you only need to give three months' notice to terminate your deal.
What sort of driver opts for a short term lease?
There are a whole host of reasons why a short term lease might suit. Perhaps you like to switch between new cars on a very regular basis, trying all the latest tech and new-car trends. Maybe you have a longer term car on order but need to bridge the gap between now and the delivery date, or perhaps you've moved to a new area and need transport before your current car is shipped in, or your new one is delivered. You could be trying an EV for size, or perhaps money is tight and your credit doesn't quite stretch to a longer-term PCP deal.
There are also lots of businesses that use this type of lease, including for contractors, for new recruits on probation, and start-ups with less solid credit, too, so the answer is that short term leases are extremely convenient for a whole range of personal and professional drivers.
