Contract Hire - End of Agreement

When you return your vehicle at the end of your agreement, it needs to be road legal. If it’s not you could be charged, so make sure it has:

• No warning lights showing
• Tyres with a minimum tread of 1.6mm
• No cracks or damage to the windscreen outside of the return standard
• A valid MOT - remember that any vehicles over 3 years old need an MOT certificate

If there is damage we believe is outside of our Vehicle Return Standards, an invoice will be raised for any applicable charges. To avoid any unexpected charges please be present when your vehicle is inspected, as this is your opportunity to view any damage we believe falls outside the Vehicle Return Standards. This includes excess mileage, insufficient service history and extra days rental.

To discuss any queries you may have relating to Charges, chat to one of our advisors now. To find out more information on damage charges, please download our damage chart matrix.

If your vehicle needs any repairs, you should get these fixed before the return date. This will help you avoid or reduce any additional fees when returning your vehicle.

Our Mercedes-Benz trained technicians use GenuineParts which forms part of our Vehicle Return Standards requirements.

If you have a personalised number plate and wish to keep it, it is important to place it on retention with the DVLA at least 10 – 12 weeks prior to your Finance Agreement maturing to avoid any additional charges or loss of your number plate. However, if you no longer wish to keep your number plate please advise Customer Services on 0370 847 0700. Please make sure the private number plate is taken off the vehicle and the new registration plates are put on before collection.

You can call the DVLA on 0300 796 0802 to retain your private number plate or, it is usually faster to apply online using the link below.

Six weeks before return; we will send you a letter that will tell you what to do with the V5C Registration Document (Logbook) when you return your vehicle.

• Please follow the instructions on the V5C. Fill out the ‘selling, transferring or part-exchanging’ section and hand the rest of the V5C to the Collection Agent.
• Please be advised, a £25 (plus VAT) fee will be payable if the vehicle is returned without the V5C.

For queries relating to your V5C, please call us on 01908 697526. If you misplace your V5C document, simply contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6802 to request a duplicate. You should receive this within five working days. You can find more information on the DVLA using the link below.

You can get your digital service book in Mercedes me or your Retailer can print this out for you.

If you’re due to have a service before the end of your agreement we recommend using a Mercedes-Benz Retailer who:

• Use Mercedes-Benz GenuineParts
• Are all part of the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair
• Have highly skilled technicians to diagnose, service or repair your vehicle

Having a trusted service history will also benefit you if you sell your car in the future.

Make sure you have a valid MOT certificate, all vehicles over three years old from the date of registration require one.

• V5C log book
• Factory fitted alloys
• All keys for the vehicle
• Locking wheel nuts
• Navigation equipment including unit disc/SD card
• Complete Service Manual
• Transmitter and codes
• MOT certificate (if applicable)
• The literature pack/Handbook (e.g. user manual etc.)
• Wheel Key
• Alarm system
• Please remove all personal data and any phone history from the navigation system
• First Aid Kit
• Tirefit Kit (air compressor and full tube of sealant) if your car came with one
• Parcel Shelf
• All loose items

If you have linked your vehicle with the Mercedes me connect you are obliged to delete the link before selling the vehicle. You can either do this yourself in Mercedes me or through your authorised Mercedes-Benz Retailer. 

The vehicle will then be removed from your user account automatically. If there are other vehicles with Mercedes me connect functions linked to your user account, the services for these vehicles will continue to function as before.

If you are not happy with your Vehicle Inspection Report, or you do not agree with the invoice for damage/excess. please contact our De-fleet Team on 0370 240 1110 between 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday where they will be happy to help with your enquiry.