Lease changeover day explained: Delivery, return & checklist
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Published on 30 October 2026 | 0 min read
Done right, changeover day is an exciting one – the moment you hand back your current vehicle and take delivery of a brand-new one.
This step-by-step guide walks you through how same-day changeover works, what delivery rules apply, and how to prepare your old vehicle for a smooth collection.
And here's the whole leasing renewals journey in one place.
How same-day changeover works
When planned in advance, returning your current vehicle and taking delivery of your new one happens on your driveway or at a specified business address.
Finalise your delivery and collection slots seven to 10 days before changeover.
Confirm your delivery time window and ensure your current funder has scheduled a collection agent for the same date.
Set your insurance policy to activate on delivery day.
Ensure your new vehicle is fully insured under a valid policy starting from the exact date of delivery. Proof of insurance may be required before the delivery driver hands over the keys.
Inspect and hand over your current vehicle
On the day of changeover, the collection agent will perform a joint walkaround inspection of your old vehicle, check the odometer reading against your contract allowance, and record any wear or damage on a digital condition report.
Receive your new lease vehicle
Once your current car is done, your delivery driver arrives with your brand-new vehicle, performs a quick handover walkaround to verify its pristine condition, and hands over the keys.
What to expect
To ensure complete transparency, Autotrader Leasing operates under clear, customer-first delivery conditions:
- Free delivery: Brand-new lease vehicles are delivered directly to your home address or specified business location across the UK mainland at no extra charge.
- Driven delivery method: Most lease vehicles are driven to your location by a professional delivery driver.
- Mileage allowance protection: Delivery mileage incurred while transporting the vehicle to your address does not count toward your agreed annual contract mileage.
- Initial rental timing: Your initial rental payment is typically collected via Direct Debit seven to 10 days after the car is delivered, never before.
Preparing your current vehicle for collection
To prevent unnecessary charges during the final collection inspection, prepare your vehicle ahead of time using this simple checklist:
Clean the vehicle thoroughly
Wash the exterior and vacuum the interior prior to the inspector's arrival. A clean vehicle makes it easier to verify light surface dirt versus actual bodywork scratches, ensuring an accurate condition report.
Gather all keys and essential equipment
Ensure you return all items supplied with the vehicle when it was new:
- Both original key fobs / smart keys.
- The original vehicle handbook and stamped service history book (or digital service records).
- Locking wheel nut key, tyre repair kit, or spare wheel.
- Parcel shelf, headrests, and factory-supplied floor mats.
- For electric vehicles, include both the standard Mode 3 charging cable and 3-pin domestic charging cable.
Clear your personal data
Reset the vehicle’s infotainment system to factory settings. Unpair your mobile phone from Bluetooth, clear saved sat-nav destinations, and delete garage door opening codes.
Fair wear and tear vs damage
When your lease car is collected, agents will assess the against standard guidelines set by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).
Just note this summary is for illustrative purposes and an example only, you should consult your contract as to what is considered fair wear and tear.
Acceptable (fair wear and tear) | Unacceptable (chargeable damage) |
Minor stone chips on the bonnet consistent with mileage | Deep paint chips down to the bare metal or rust |
Light surface scratches under 25mm that can be polished out | Scratches longer than 25mm or dents across body panels |
Minor scuffs on alloy wheels under 50mm in length | Deep alloy rim gouges, cracked wheel trims, or sidewall tyre bulges |
Clean interior upholstery with light wear | Interior cigarette burns, heavy stains, or torn leather seats |
Your Autotrader Leasing guarantee
Every vehicle delivered through Autotrader Leasing comes with comprehensive consumer protection:
- Full manufacturer warranty: Every new vehicle includes complete manufacturer warranty coverage for the duration of the agreement.
- Road tax included: Annual Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) is fully managed and included in your monthly rentals.