You choose the amount of deposit you wish to pay, typically between 10-50% of the car’s cost. The remainder of the balance, together with fixed interest, is repaid over an agreed period of your choosing (12-60 months).
The advantages of Hire Purchase:
Low deposit - keeps valuable personal or business cash available
PCP is perfect if you are opting out of your company car scheme. Your company car allowance can fund your monthly payments, but there is no company car tax to pay.
At the beginning of the agreement your car's guaranteed future value is calculated, based on an agreed mileage and age. This is deferred as a final 'balloon' payment.
With PCP you don't have to commit to buying the car at the outset. You use it for an agreed period of time (24-48 months) and then decide at the end of this period what you would like to do. You have four options:
The advantages of Personal Contract Purchase:
Hire purchase with a balloon offers lower monthly payments than normal hire purchase. Instead, at the end of the agreement, you can make a final lump sum payment (or 'balloon') to own your car.
It's fixed rate finance - but with a lower fixed monthly outlay since you defer repayment of some of the borrowing. At the end of the agreement options include car purchase, refinance, part exchange or resale.
The deposit you pay is flexible - typically between 10-50% of the vehicle cost. The deferred balloon element is calculated on the estimated future resale value of the car.
The difference, plus fixed interest, is repaid in equal instalments over an agreed period (12-60 months), plus a final balloon payment.