Who Pays for Servicing, Repairs and Maintenance on a Rent2Buy Van?

When you use a van through Rent2Buy, it is important to understand who is responsible for servicing, maintenance, repairs, MOTs and breakdowns.

Rent2Buy operates on a self-maintenance model. This means that although Rent2Buy Vans remains the legal owner of the vehicle during the rental agreement, you are responsible for looking after the van and keeping it properly maintained.

This guide explains what is included when the van is supplied, what you are responsible for during the agreement and how the warranty and breakdown cover work.

Rent2Buy Maintenance Responsibilities at a Glance

Always check your individual rental and warranty documents because the exact responsibilities, exclusions and conditions will be explained there.

What Is Included When You Collect the Van?

Rent2Buy vans are prepared before collection.

The current scheme states that vehicles are supplied with:

• A new MOT

• A service

• A vehicle inspection

• 12 months of AA breakdown cover

• An in-house warranty lasting three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first

These measures provide some initial protection, but they do not mean that all servicing and repairs are covered throughout the full Rent2Buy agreement.

The warranty and breakdown cover are separate from your ongoing responsibility to maintain the vehicle.

Who Is Responsible for Routine Servicing?

You are responsible for arranging and paying for routine servicing during the Rent2Buy agreement.

The van should be serviced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Depending on the vehicle, servicing may be based on:

• Time since the previous service

• Mileage travelled

• A dashboard service warning

• Whichever service point is reached first

You should not wait until the van develops a fault before arranging a service.

Regular servicing helps to:

• Keep the van safe and reliable

• Identify developing problems early

• Protect the vehicle from avoidable damage

• Maintain an appropriate service history

• Reduce the likelihood of breakdowns

• Ensure that you comply with the Rent2Buy agreement

The Rent2Buy team can advise you about service intervals, but responsibility for arranging the service remains with you.

Where Can the Van Be Serviced?

You should use a reputable garage capable of servicing the make and model of your van correctly.

The work should follow the manufacturer’s service schedule and use suitable parts, fluids and lubricants.

Keep all evidence of servicing, including:

• Service invoices

• Itemised receipts

• Service-book entries

• Digital service records

• Details of replacement parts

• The date and mileage of each service

You may be asked to provide this information to confirm that the vehicle has been maintained correctly.

Before arranging work, check whether your agreement or warranty requires you to contact Rent2Buy Vans or use a particular repair process.

What Everyday Maintenance Is the Customer Responsible For?

During the agreement, you are responsible for carrying out normal checks and keeping the van in a safe and roadworthy condition.

This includes regularly checking:

• Engine oil

• Coolant

• Brake fluid

• Windscreen-washer fluid

• Tyre pressures

• Tyre tread depth

• Exterior lights

• Windscreen condition

• Warning lights

• AdBlue, where applicable

• Battery condition

• Visible leaks or damage

You should also respond promptly to unusual noises, warning messages, changes in performance or any other sign that the vehicle may have developed a problem.

Continuing to drive after a warning light appears or after a fault becomes noticeable could cause further damage. Damage caused by neglect or continued use may not be covered by the warranty.

Who Pays for Tyres, Brakes and Wear-and-Tear Items?

Normal wear-and-tear items are generally part of the customer’s vehicle-running costs during the agreement.

These may include:

• Tyres

• Brake pads

• Brake discs

• Wiper blades

• Bulbs

• Clutches

• Fluids

• Filters

• Other items that wear through ordinary use

Whether a particular repair is treated as normal wear, a mechanical failure or a warranty matter will depend on the cause of the problem and the relevant terms.

For example, a tyre damaged by a puncture would not normally be treated in the same way as a mechanical component that fails unexpectedly during the warranty period.

Do not assume that every replacement part will be covered simply because the vehicle has a warranty.

How Does the Rent2Buy Warranty Work?

Rent2Buy currently provides an in-house warranty for:

Three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The warranty begins when you take the vehicle.

It is intended to provide initial protection against eligible mechanical or electrical faults, subject to the warranty’s terms, exclusions and claims process.

The warranty does not replace your responsibility to:

• Service the van

• Check fluid levels

• Maintain the tyres

• Respond to warning lights

• Prevent avoidable damage

• Keep the vehicle roadworthy

• Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions

Not every fault or repair will automatically qualify for warranty assistance.

Items affected by normal wear, accidental damage, misuse, missed servicing or continued driving after a warning may be excluded.

What Should You Do if the Van Develops a Fault?

Contact Rent2Buy Vans before authorising substantial diagnostic or repair work, particularly while the van is within the initial warranty period.

A sensible process is:

1. Stop using the vehicle if continuing to drive could be unsafe or cause further damage.

2. Record any dashboard warnings, noises or symptoms.

3. Note the vehicle’s current mileage.

4. Contact Rent2Buy Vans and explain the problem.

5. Follow the instructions provided.

6. Do not approve major repairs until you know whether the issue may be covered.

7. Keep all diagnostic reports, invoices and receipts.

Arranging unauthorised work could affect whether assistance is available, particularly if Rent2Buy Vans was not given an opportunity to inspect or assess the fault.

For urgent roadside problems, contact the breakdown provider where appropriate.

Is Breakdown Cover Included?

Rent2Buy vans currently come with 12 months of AA breakdown cover.

Breakdown cover can provide assistance when the van becomes immobilised, subject to the provider’s terms and the type of cover included.

However, breakdown cover is not the same as:

• A service plan

• Mechanical repair insurance

• A maintenance package

• A replacement-vehicle guarantee

• The Rent2Buy in-house warranty

Breakdown assistance may help recover or restart the vehicle, but it does not necessarily pay for the parts and repairs needed to correct the underlying fault.

Check when the included cover expires and decide whether you need to renew or replace it.

Who Is Responsible for the MOT?

The van is supplied with a new MOT.

Once that MOT expires, you are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle has a valid MOT where legally required and remains roadworthy throughout the agreement.

You should arrange the next MOT before the existing certificate expires.

Passing an MOT does not replace routine servicing. An MOT checks whether the vehicle meets minimum road-safety and environmental standards at the time of the test; it is not a full mechanical service.

You remain responsible for maintaining the van between MOT tests.

What Happens if Maintenance Is Ignored?

Failing to service or maintain the van could cause:

• Mechanical failure

• Increased repair costs

• Unsafe driving conditions

• Warranty claims being declined

• Breakdown or vehicle downtime

• Charges under the Rent2Buy agreement

• Problems when returning or completing the agreement

• Further damage that could have been avoided

Because the vehicle remains owned by Rent2Buy Vans during the rental period, you are expected to take reasonable care of it.

The customer may be responsible for damage or deterioration caused by neglect, misuse, missed servicing or failure to act when a fault becomes apparent.

What Counts as Damage Rather Than Fair Wear and Tear?

Fair wear and tear refers to the reasonable deterioration expected through normal use, taking account of the vehicle’s age, mileage and type of work.

Damage may include:

• Dents or impact damage

• Broken lights or mirrors

• Windscreen damage

• Torn or heavily damaged interior trim

• Missing equipment

• Damage caused by overloading

• Damage caused by using the wrong fuel

• Mechanical damage caused by neglect

• Excessive tyre damage

• Unauthorised modifications

The final assessment will depend on the vehicle’s condition and the terms of the agreement.

Photographing the van regularly and keeping maintenance records can help demonstrate how it has been looked after.

Can You Modify a Rent2Buy Van?

You should not make significant or permanent alterations without first obtaining permission.

This may include:

• Drilling into the bodywork

• Permanent shelving installations

• Electrical modifications

• Engine modifications

• Suspension changes

• Body conversions

• Signwriting that could damage the paintwork

• Removing standard equipment

Some business equipment may be permitted, but it is important to check before making changes because Rent2Buy Vans remains the owner during the agreement.

You may also be responsible for removing equipment or repairing damage caused by an installation.

Does Rent2Buy Pay for All Repairs?

No.

Rent2Buy does not provide an unlimited repair or maintenance package for the full rental term.

The initial in-house warranty may cover eligible faults during the first three months or 3,000 miles, subject to its terms.

After that period, routine servicing, maintenance and repairs are generally the customer’s responsibility unless the agreement or applicable law provides otherwise.

Where the cause of a problem is unclear, contact Rent2Buy Vans before arranging substantial work.

What Happens at the End of the Agreement?

The Rent2Buy van remains owned by Rent2Buy Vans throughout the rental term.

After successfully completing all required rentals and agreement conditions, you currently have the option to purchase the vehicle for a final payment of £99 plus VAT.

Until the agreement has been completed and that purchase option has been exercised, the vehicle remains rented.

Maintaining the vehicle properly throughout the agreement helps protect its reliability, condition and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is servicing included in the Rent2Buy monthly payment?

No. Rent2Buy uses a self-maintenance model, so the customer is responsible for routine servicing during the agreement.

Is the van serviced before collection?

Yes. Rent2Buy currently states that vans are supplied with a service and a new MOT.

Does the van come with a warranty?

Yes. The current in-house warranty lasts for three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first, subject to the warranty terms and exclusions.

Is breakdown cover included?

Yes. Rent2Buy vans currently include 12 months of AA breakdown cover.

Who pays for replacement tyres?

Tyres and other normal wear items are generally the customer’s responsibility, subject to the cause of the damage and the individual agreement.

Can I use my usual garage?

You should use a reputable garage that can service the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s requirements. Check your agreement and contact Rent2Buy Vans before major repairs or warranty-related work.

What happens if I miss a service?

Missing a required service may affect the vehicle, the warranty and your obligations under the agreement. Contact Rent2Buy Vans as soon as possible if a service has been missed.

Who pays for repairs after the warranty expires?

Ongoing repairs and maintenance are generally the customer’s responsibility, subject to the agreement and the circumstances causing the fault.

Final Summary

Rent2Buy operates on a self-maintenance basis.

The van is currently supplied with:

• A new MOT

• A service

• 12 months of AA breakdown cover

• A three-month or 3,000-mile in-house warranty

After collection, you are responsible for routine servicing, maintenance, MOTs when required and keeping the vehicle safe and roadworthy.

You should report faults promptly, keep complete maintenance records and contact Rent2Buy Vans before arranging substantial warranty-related repairs.

Always read the individual rental and warranty documents carefully because they explain the exact responsibilities, cover, exclusions and claim procedures that apply to your vehicle.

Next step

View available Rent2Buy vans and check whether this scheme may suit you.