How does Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance work?

Personal Contract Purchase – or PCP for short – is a type of car finance that spreads the cost of buying a new or used car over a set period.
 
PCP deals typically last between two and four years, but at the end of the loan, you have options: you can choose to buy the car with a one-off balloon payment, hand it back to the lender and walk away, or use any available positive equity as a deposit in a new agreement.
 
This flexibility, as well as the relatively low monthly repayments that can come with PCP, have seen this type of agreement becoming much more popular in recent years.

How does PCP work?

PCP finance is broken down into three stages:

Deposit

Most PCP will ask you to put a deposit down upfront. The amount is up to you (and how much you can afford) but around 10% of the car’s purchase price is usually considered a decent deposit.

Monthly payments

Next, you’ll make fixed monthly payments throughout the loan term. These payments will be calculated so they cover the difference between your new car’s current price and its estimated future value, usually called the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value or GMFV. As you don’t have to cover the full purchase amount, your payments can be lower than other finance options like Hire Purchase (HP).

Final optional balloon payment

If you’ve fallen head over heels for your new wheels, you have the option to buy it and become its official owner at the end of the agreement. But first, you’ll need to pay the one-off lump sum known as the balloon payment. This is the amount outstanding on the loan and usually equivalent to the GMFV. If you can’t afford to pay it all in one go, don’t worry; refinancing loans are available.

Don't fancy committing to a long-term relationship with your vehicle? At this point you can always hand it back and walk away, or use any positive equity you've built up as a deposit in a new agreement.

Let’s look at an example:

• You take out a PCP agreement to buy a £15,000 car over three years. The finance company calculates that the vehicle’s GMFV will be £9,000 in three years’ time.
• Put down a 10% deposit (£1,500) and borrow the remaining £13,500.
• As it’s agreed that the car will be worth £9,000 at the end of the agreement, you’ll only need to pay back £4,500 (plus interest on the full loan amount of £13,500).
• When the loan term ends, you can pay the final £9,000 to keep the car and become its car’s legal owner or you can choose to hand the car back. If the car is worth more than £9,000, you’ll be in positive equity and could use the extra value as a deposit in a new deal.

What are the key features of PCP finance?

Sounds good so far? If you think PCP might be the right choice for you, our need-to-know feature rundown could help you make up your mind:

• You won’t be the car’s owner during the loan – but you will be its registered keeper and responsible for its upkeep, fuel, and insurance costs.
• You don’t have to borrow the full purchase price of the car, instead you’ll borrow the amount of value it’ll likely lose during your loan term.
• You can return the car at the end of the loan, use any available positive equity as a deposit in a new deal, or pay the one-off balloon payment to become its legal owner.
• Annual mileage restrictions will usually apply, and you’ll be expected to keep the car in good condition, especially if you plan to return it.

How does PCP compare to other finance options?

What are the pros and cons of PCP finance?

Every finance option has its upsides and downsides; here are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of PCP finance that it’s worth keeping in mind:

What happens at the end of a PCP agreement?

One of the big benefits of PCP finance is that it gives you options and flexibility in case you change your mind or if your circumstances changes. In fact, you have three options when you reach the end of your PCP agreement:

• Buy the car and become its legal owner by paying the one-off balloon payment
• Hand it back to the lender and walk away
• Use any available positive equity as a deposit to buy a car with a new finance agreement

What happens if I don’t want to keep the vehicle?

Ready for a change? If you’ve had a change in circumstances or you’re just bored of driving the same old thing, you can simply hand the car back to the lender.
 
You’ll need to let them know, preferably in writing, as you approach the loan term end date as they’ll need to arrange an inspection and a collection or drop off point.
Assuming you’ve treated your car with a little TLC to keep it in good condition and not gone over your annual mileage limit, you’ll be able to hand over the keys and walk away.
 
If your car is worth more than expected (its value exceeds its GMFV) then you’ll be in positive equity. This can give you even more choice as you might be able to use that extra value as a deposit and buy a new car on finance.

Will I be charged to return the vehicle?

Whether or not you’ll be charged when you return a car on PCP finance will depend on how well you’ve looked after it during the loan term. The car legally belongs to the lender, after all, so it’s understandable that they’d be concerned that you’ve kept it in good condition (and helped it maintain as much value as possible!)
 
The lender will usually arrange a vehicle inspection before the agreement officially ends. Fair wear and tear is expected – think a few small scuffs on the upholstery or scratches on the bodywork – but any more serious damage might lead to extra charges. Depending on the terms and conditions of your agreement, it might be cheaper for you to arrange the repairs yourself at an approved local garage before the inspection date.
 
If you’ve gone over your mileage limit, you’ll likely have to pay extra too. The exact charge will be listed on your agreement, but it’ll typically be per mile.

Is PCP finance right for me?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a finance deal; the best option for you will depend on your personal preferences, priorities, and financial situation.

PCP finance could be the right choice for you if:

• You prefer lower monthly repayments
• You want to have different options at the end of your agreement – and car ownership isn’t necessarily important to you
• You like driving newer or higher spec cars
• You tend to change car every few years
• You can comfortably keep within an annual mileage limit
• You’re a careful driver who is likely to keep their car in good condition