Leasing and towbars
Discussion
We're at the point of signing a lease but need a towbar. It's a stock vehicle so no factory fit options.
Leasing funder says we need written approval from them and it needs fitting at a dealership or approved garage. The former are not interested and the latter are talking over £3k in oem parts.
I thought under block exemptions I was able to get a type approved one fitted eg a witter etc. However the leasing funder says no, they won't approve and it'll invalidate the warranty. plus be a breach of agreement.
Anyone come up against this and what did you do? Thanks.
Leasing funder says we need written approval from them and it needs fitting at a dealership or approved garage. The former are not interested and the latter are talking over £3k in oem parts.
I thought under block exemptions I was able to get a type approved one fitted eg a witter etc. However the leasing funder says no, they won't approve and it'll invalidate the warranty. plus be a breach of agreement.
Anyone come up against this and what did you do? Thanks.
Edited by RDBx on Friday 24th January 12:06
AFAIK, block exemption only applies to anti-competitive practices - such as only allowing you to maintain your vehicle within the dealer network, or only allowing you to buy insurance from the dealer - I don't believe it covers modifications on leased vehicles.
As the car is not owned and will not be owned by you, it's the lessor's terms you have to abide by.
If you don't like those terms you are free to go elsewhere, or wait for a custom-configured, non-stock model.
As the car is not owned and will not be owned by you, it's the lessor's terms you have to abide by.
If you don't like those terms you are free to go elsewhere, or wait for a custom-configured, non-stock model.
I know some of my colleagues company cars used to have tow bars that were definitely not factory fitted. Of all the various penalties for paint, chips, wheels etc I was never aware of anyone being picked up for having had a tow bar (they were removed and ebayed before lease termination). Not saying that's the correct approach of course.
Thanks, aiui, as the block exemption thing relates to warranty, if you add a type approved towbar, it can't impact the warranty. What it doesn't change is the terms of the lease but does mark them out as seemingly unfair.
It's does look like the majority perhaps do crack on and fit them as after market but I wasn't comfortable with that given wording of the lease terms.
Guess our choice is to take the risk, suck it up on costs, go for a factory order or buy ourselves.
It's does look like the majority perhaps do crack on and fit them as after market but I wasn't comfortable with that given wording of the lease terms.
Guess our choice is to take the risk, suck it up on costs, go for a factory order or buy ourselves.
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