I had a great experience and good customer service from Garry Rahman, from the moment I enquired for a car quotation to delivery. He is professional, respectful and answered all my questions very patiently. There was no pressure to take a decision in haste which I really liked. He explained all my options clearly and made the entire car buying experience smooth and hassle free. I definitely recommend Garry to anyone who is looking to buy a car. Thank you Garry.
Van Leasing For High-Milers
If you’re a tradesperson covering long distances for work, clocking up tens of thousands of miles every year is simply part of the job. Whether it’s driving between sites, collecting supplies, or making customer visits, your van soon racks up mileage that most family cars never reach. But how does this affect your options if you want to lease instead of buy?
This guide explains everything you need to know about high-mileage van leasing. From what counts as “high” mileage to how it affects your monthly payments and which vans are best suited to life on the road, we’ll cover the key points to help you choose the right lease deal for your business.
What is considered high mileage in van leasing?
When you take out a van lease, you’ll be asked to choose an annual mileage allowance. For most drivers, this sits at around 10,000–12,000 miles per year. Go beyond that and you’re entering high-mileage territory.
In leasing terms, 20,000 miles or more per year is generally considered high. For some tradespeople, more than 30,000 miles is not unusual, especially if the van doubles as both workhorse and everyday transport.
Why does this matter? Leasing companies calculate costs based on expected depreciation, and mileage is one of the most significant factors in determining a van’s value at the end of the contract. Higher mileage means more wear, a lower resale value, and, therefore, a higher monthly lease payment.
If you underestimate your mileage, you could face excess mileage charges at the end of the lease. These are usually charged per mile and can add up quickly. That’s why it’s essential to be realistic about how far you’ll drive.
Is van leasing still worth it for high-mileage drivers?
At first glance, leasing might not seem like the best option if you cover a lot of miles. After all, higher mileage means higher payments. But leasing can still make sense for many trades.
| Buying vs Leasing | Benefits of leasing for high-mileage users |
Buying outright (or financing a purchase) means you own the van, but you take the full depreciation hit. A van with 100,000+ miles on the clock after just a few years can lose a lot of its value. Leasing avoids that risk. You don’t own the van, so resale value isn’t your problem. Instead, you pay fixed monthly costs and hand it back at the end. | Predictable costs give peace of mind. You know what you’re paying each month, which makes budgeting easier. For VAT-registered businesses, lease payments are usually tax-deductible, bringing the cost to your business down significantly. A lease deal can include an optional servicing package that cover routine repairs. That takes the sting out of high-mileage wear and tear. And there are no resale worries, as you simply return the van at the end of the lease, rather than trying to sell a high-mileage vehicle in a crowded and competitive market. |
So while leasing a high-mileage van is more expensive than leasing a low-mileage one, it can still be cheaper and less stressful than buying, running, and eventually selling outright.
How mileage affects your lease costs
The mileage allowance you select directly affects your monthly payments. The higher the mileage, the higher the payment, because the leasing company expects the van to be worth less at the end of the lease.
A 10,000-mile-per-year lease of a Ford Transit Custom might cost £325 per month*. The same van with a 20,000-mile allowance could rise to £400 per month*. That extra £75 a month might seem steep, but it’s often far less than what you’d pay in excess mileage charges if you underestimate.
It’s always better to be realistic, even if it means paying more up front. If you drive 25,000 miles a year but only contract for 15,000, the excess charges will far outweigh the saving.
(*figures are approximate and used for illustrative purposes only)
Looking to find your next van lease? Call today on 0118 338 3799
What happens if you go over your mileage allowance?
If you exceed your mileage cap, the leasing company will charge you an excess mileage fee. These charges vary but usually fall between 5p and 15p per mile.
That doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up. Nudge over your limit by 500 miles at 10p per mile and you’ll get a bill for just £50, but smash the limit by 10,000 miles and you’ll get an invoice for £1,000.
Best vans to lease for high-mileage trades
Not all vans are created equal, especially when it comes to pounding the motorways day after day. High-mileage trades benefit from vans with strong reliability, comfortable cabins, and efficient engines.
Our experts know their vans, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Ford Transit Custom. It’s the UK’s best-selling van for good reason; comfortable, practical, and available with efficient diesel engines that can handle high mileage with ease.
The Volkswagen Transporter is a match for the Ford, which isn’t surprising — underneath the Volkswagen design cues, the latest generation model is the same van as the Ford, built on the same production line. Somehow, it just feels a little more premium, but that might just be the badge talking.
Larger and more powerful, the Mercedes Sprinter is a go-to for businesses that need space and expect reliability from a van that could cover 200,000+ miles in its lifetime.
A Vauxhall Vivaro will do the job, but so will the Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace, as they’re all essentially the same van. They all combine strong fuel economy with recently updated cabins, ideal for trades who need a balance of size and efficiency. The Toyota gets a bit more kit and a longer warranty, too.
Going electric? The Kia PV5 has a strong range of more than 250 miles and a cavernous cargo area. It looks great, too.
How to choose the right lease deal
Picking a van is more than just thinking about the monthly lease fee. Fuel efficiency, comfort for long drives, and access to dealer servicing are all crucial for high-mileage users, and that’s what we cover in our in-depth reviews.
Here’s what else to keep in mind:
The bottom line
Leasing a van for high mileage might cost more than a standard contract, but for many tradespeople, it’s still a smart option. It gives you predictable running costs, takes the worry out of depreciation, and can include maintenance to cover the extra wear and tear of long-distance driving.
The key is to plan honestly. Do that, and leasing can be a cost-effective way to keep your business moving, mile after mile.
Which vans are best suited for high-mileage?
Need a van to suit your high-mileage lifestyle? Check out out top suggested deals:
Mercedes Sprinter Large Van
One of the most high-tech and powerful vans you can currently lease, the Sprinter blends prestige with storage and performance.
From
£550.87 ex. VAT
Ford Transit Custom Medium Van
Ford's most famous Transit variant, the Custom, is the best-selling van in the UK - providing a unique blend of comfort, efficiency and reliability.
From
£286.85 ex. VAT
11 SPECIAL OFFERS
models available
models
Volkswagen Transporter Medium Van
Providing some of the best economy on the road and a range of efficient engines, the Transporter helps keep your driving cost-effective.
From
£370.04 ex. VAT
Vauxhall Vivaro Medium Van
One of the UKs best selling panel vans and an excellent all-rounder, offering room, comfort and championing a strong economy rate.
From
£250.74 ex. VAT
7 SPECIAL OFFERS
Kia PV5 Cargo
The futuristic Kia PV5 is a fully-electric commercial vehicle that offers a range of up to 258 miles between charges.
From
£152.83 ex. VAT
2 SPECIAL OFFERS
models available
models
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Efficient and professional team
This is the third lease company I’ve used, but in terms of the ordering process, the communication, the documentation and the speed of delivery I would have to place Select first for customer service. I also secured a great price (for a Hyundai Tucson) as well as having the flexibility of not needing to pay a deposit, which made the deal very attractive. However, I’m fully aware that you can’t truly judge a car leasing company until the end of the contract when the car is being returned, as that is what genuinely separates one leasing company from another. On that basis, my rating is based on the relationship to date. The delivery of the car itself was one area where I have experienced a superior service from another lease company. The company in question would deliver their cars on a transporter so the cars were delivered to my house in immaculate condition with something like 20 miles on the clock. The car I received a few days ago was driven about 100 miles to my home, on a rainy day in December, so it was handed over to me dirty. A relatively minor point.
