Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)

What is PCP finance and how does it work?

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What is Purchase Contract Purchase finance?

The most popular method of car finance, Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), a flexible and straightforward way to craft a personalised finance package that suits your unique needs and preferences.

You’ll enjoy ownership of the vehicle for a set period, based on an annual mileage agreement that you choose at the start of the contract. During this time, you’ll pay a fixed monthly fee for the vehicle.

As you drive and accumulate mileage, the value of the vehicle decreases - your monthly payments essentially cover that depreciation while the car is in your possession. PCP calculates the difference between your vehicle's value at the start of your agreement and its predicted value at the end of the contract, assuming you stick to the agreed mileage allowance.

One of the great perks of PCP is that the predicted value of your vehicle at the end of the agreement (the GFV) is set in stone. This means that your car's value won’t be affected by market fluctuations while you’re in the agreement.

What does a PCP finance deal look like?

While PCP finance agreements might seem a bit overwhelming at first, they're one of the simplest and straightforward ways to finance your new car, giving you plenty of options to consider at the end of the deal. Below is a typical example of a PCP finance deal.

Total Cash Price/On the Road Price

This is the price of the vehicle to buy outright without finance or interest charges.

APR Representative

Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is the rate of interest the lender charges for this particular deal.

Total Amount Payable

This is the total amount paid by the customer after completing a PCP contract. Including the deposit, monthly payments, GFV and interest payments.

Monthly Payments

The monthly payments are agreed at the start of the contract between the lender and customer.

Optional Final Payment (or GFV)

This is the predicted future value of the vehicle once you reach the end of the PCP contract. When the term is up, you will have the option to purchase the vehicle at this price - regardless whether the vehicle’s market value has increased. It’s often referred to as a ‘balloon payment’.

Amount Financed/Cost of Credit

The amount of borrowed finance you will receive to cover the cost of the vehicle at the start of the agreement.

Customer Deposit

The upfront deposit paid at the start of the agreement.

Finance Deposit Contribution

Deposit contributions (or FDA’s) are often found with new car finance deals from manufacturers or dealers as a campaign incentive for customers.

Annual Mileage

The number of miles you can use the vehicle for per year. The annual mileage is agreed at the start of the contract to accurately predict the depreciation/vehicle value at the end of the contract.

Excess Mileage Charge

The amount charged per mile if the annual mileage is exceeded.

Optional to purchase fee

An additional fee a customer must pay to gain ownership (title to the car).

Benefits of a PCP Finance agreement?

Hire Purchase is popular for used car finance and offers a number of advantages.

Image of Easy access to brand-new vehicles

Easy access to brand-new vehicles

PCP deals usually last between 36 and 48 months, meaning you can change your vehicle frequently to newer models with no strings attached.

What happens if you go over the mileage in your contract?

Does Chorley Group provide finance?

Do I qualify for a PCP contract?

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