Legal Information

Contents

Legal Information
BVRLA
Terms of Business
Remuneration & Commission
Disclaimer
Limitation of Liability
Complaints
Privacy Policy
What We Collect and What We Use It For
Subject Access Request
Website Security
Cookies, Google Analytics and IP addresses
The Information Commissioner’s Office
Business Transfers
Copyright Statement
Changes to this Privacy Policy
Treating Customers Fairly Policy
Consumer Duty Policy
Questions or Suggestions

 

Legal Information

Company name: Fleet Alliance Limited
First registered: Scotland
Registered Number: 235634
Registered Address: Skypark 1, 8 Elliot Place, Glasgow, G3 8EP
VAT Registration Number: 183 306 612
FCA Firm Number: 673150
ICO Registered Number: Z7736824
BVRLA Membership Number: 993

Fleet Alliance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Not all types of business undertaken are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Fleet Alliance Limited is a credit broker and not a lender.

BVRLA

Fleet Alliance is a member of The BVRLA, the UK trade body for companies engaged in the leasing, rental and fleet management of cars and commercial vehicles. The BVRLA Code of Conduct sets out the standards expected by members in all aspects of the brokering of leased vehicles. You can view this code of conduct here. BVRLA membership ensures the customer that they should expect the highest level of professionalism and integrity when using a BVRLA member.

 

Terms of Business

Understanding Initial Rental

The initial rental amount to be paid is determined by the payment profile you have selected and is not a deposit. For example, if your payment profile is 3+35, this means you will be required to pay 3 rentals as your initial rental amount, followed by 35 monthly payments of your agreed rental amount. The payment profile selected impacts the amount of the agreed monthly rental. For example, if you select a payment profile of 9+35, by paying for 9 monthly rentals as your initial rental, the cost of the subsequent 35 monthly rentals is likely to be lower than it would be if you selected a payment profile of 3+35.

Understanding Maintenance

It is important that you understand the difference between a Lender Maintained and Driver Maintained agreement.

If Lender Maintained appears next to Maintenance, the quotation includes maintenance. This means the lender will cover the cost of maintenance and servicing as outlined in the finance agreement, but you are still responsible for taking the car to a dealership/garage approved by the lender for repairs, regular servicing in line with the manufacturer’s service intervals, MOT inspections, etc.

If Driver Maintained appears next to Maintenance, the quotation does not include maintenance. You should understand that by opting for a Driver Maintained agreement you are responsible for maintaining your vehicle and that you may incur additional costs for regular servicing, MOTs and any repairs required throughout the duration of the agreement.

Tell me why a Finance Lender Maintained agreement is a good idea

All vehicles must be maintained to manufacturer standards and adhere to the specific vehicle servicing schedule. For many of the vehicle finance options offered, you have the option to cover all service and maintenance requirements. This costs extra but provides certainty on your motoring costs – no unexpected cost exposure that could adversely affect cash flow.

It is important to note that if you decide not to include maintenance in your contract (Driver Maintained), you are responsible for maintaining the vehicle at an additional cost over and above the monthly finance rental cost.

What are the benefits of choosing a Lender Maintained agreement?

  • Covers the cost of any repairs required throughout the duration of the contract term. This includes tyres, brakes, exhausts, wipers, and batteries. This is subject to BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guidelines.
  • May include breakdown cover, roadside assistance and roadside repairs subject to the lender
  • Includes servicing and MOTs
  • Benefit from fleet purchasing power of parts and service
  • Peace of mind in relation to vehicle repairs
  • Fully VAT recoverable for businesses
  • Cost can be set against taxable profits

What are the potential risks of choosing a Lender Maintained agreement?

  • The cost of maintenance varies depending on the vehicle type, contract type and expected mileage
  • Does not cover any accidental damage to the vehicle, vandalism or windscreen breakages. These must be repaired via insurance cover
  • Does not cover driver abuse or neglect such as, but not limited to, vehicle damage as a result of the vehicle not being serviced according to manufacturer’s guidelines, or Diesel Particulate Filter warnings being ignored.

How does a Lender Maintained agreement work in practice?

The following is a typical example highlighting the price difference between a Lender Maintained agreement and a Driver Maintained agreement for an Audi A1 Diesel Hatchback 1.6 TDI SE 3dr.

Monthly Payment shown is for illustrative purposes only.

Understanding Excess Mileage

The total mileage you agree to at the beginning of your contract has an impact on the overall rental cost over the term of the agreement. The higher amount of mileage you select, the more likely you will be to have a higher monthly rental cost. It is important to select an accurate mileage amount at the beginning of the agreement in order to avoid paying rental costs for mileage that you do not use by the end of the agreement term, and to avoid paying any excess mileage charges.

Excess mileage charges occur when you go over your agreed mileage. The reason the charge is applied is that the total mileage of the vehicle is used to calculate the resale value of the vehicle. A greater mileage will affect this calculated resale value. This excess mileage charge is calculated at the end of the contract period and will vary depending on the vehicle type and the contract type. Mileage limits may be amended during your contract provided it meets the lenders criteria for doing so. Please see your contract provided by the lender for full details of the pence per mile charge that may be applicable or mileage amendment criteria.

The following is a typical example of an excess mileage charge:

Excess mileage charge shown for illustrative purposes only.


Understanding End of Contract Charges

The residual value of a car at the end of a contract is based on an assumed condition that it is close to ‘ready to retail’ and that it meets industry standard BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear guidelines. Major dents, scratches and kerbed wheels, for example, are outside these guidelines. The charges are applied to rectify these faults and will be passed onto you.

Important Notes for Diesel Vehicles

  • Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
    Most diesel vehicles contain a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). A DPF captures and stores soot in order to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles. Regular and sustained motorway driving at recommended speeds of over 40mph for between 10 and 50 minutes is required in order to burn off the trapped soot  (a process known as ‘regeneration’). The recommended driving style required to clear a DPF filter varies depending on specific manufacturer guidelines. If you intend to use your vehicle for urban or city-based or stop/start style driving you may want to consider an alternative fuel types such as petrol as this may be better suited to your needs. Not clearing the DPF or ignoring a DPF warning will result in vehicle damage not covered under a Lender Maintained contract, resulting in costly repairs at driver’s expense. Therefore, the selected fuel type should be considered carefully in relation to your driving style. Some petrol vehicles may also contain a Petrol Particulate Filter (PPF). This is not as common as DPF however manufacturing guidelines should be consulted in relation to this.
  • AdBlue
    Some diesel vehicles are now fitted with tanks that contain AdBlue which is a liquid fuel additive designed to reduce harmful Nitrous Oxide emissions. AdBlue is considered to be a consumable, similar to fuel. It is therefore the driver’s responsibility to ensure that AdBlue is kept topped up, and to pay any costs associated with doing so. Any damage incurred as a result of low AdBlue levels or its misuse will not be covered under a funder maintained contract or any included recovery arrangements. Finance Lender Maintained contracts do not cover AdBlue costs. However, depending of the finance lender of your vehicle AdBlue may be topped up as part of routine servicing. You should consult your vehicle handbook to ascertain whether or not your vehicle uses AdBlue and understand your responsibilities.

In-Car Connected Technology

Many vehicle manufacturers have introduced connected services to their vehicles that provide drivers with services like Wi-Fi and service reminders or bookings. However, these connected services may be disabled by some lenders as they may result in service provision from unauthorised third parties that is not in keeping with the terms and conditions of your agreement with the lender. Whilst a manufacturer may state that connected services are featured, the ability to use these features is dependent on the selected lender enabling use of them. We will endeavour to identify any connected services that may be affected at the time of order, however, this courtesy cannot be considered a guarantee that any connected services fitted as standard or optionally specified, will not be permanently disabled by the lender prior to delivery.

Impacts of Non-Payment

Non-payment of credit agreements may affect your credit rating and may result in the vehicle being repossessed by the lender or action being taken via the County Courts. This may also affect your chances of being accepted for credit in future. Alternative sources of finance may be available to you (for example, from other credit brokers or lenders, or through banks or internet aggregators).

Delivery & Availability

Vehicle availability and delivery dates are provided to you at the point of order based on estimates provided to us by our suppliers. These estimates may be subject to change and are intended to be an estimate only. We endeavour to meet these estimates and confirmed delivery dates will be provided to you once confirmed by our suppliers. In the event that a delay occurs as a result of a supplier, we do not accept liability for any losses incurred as a result.

Remuneration & Commission

Do you receive commission?

Yes, we will receive a fixed and/or variable commission which is agreed between us and the lender we introduce you to.  Fleet Alliance Limited is an independent credit broker, not a lender. We work with a range of selected lenders. The commission or fees we earn does not influence our decision on who we introduce you to.  The commission we receive is included in the price you pay.  You can ask for information about the commission we receive for introducing you to the lender, including the amount, by emailing us at any time at compliance@fleetalliance.co.uk

Customer Responsibilities

In order for us to fulfil our responsibilities to you, you must:

  • Read the documentation provided to you, and let us know if anything is unclear or does not represent your needs and requirements
  • Comply with the terms and conditions of agreements we may arrange for you.

Conflicts of Interest

If through exceptional circumstances our company, its directors or any other customers have a material interest in business you ask to be transacted for you, we will make you aware of the potential conflict of interest and we will obtain your consent before your instructions are carried out.

Cancellation Policy

In the event that an order in cancelled prior to delivery, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover any costs that may be incurred from dealers or manufacturers, or any other losses associated with processing the deal up to the point of cancellation. Cancellation fees are generally in the region of £250 to £500, however the amount charged will be dependent on a number of factors:

  • Cancellation charge applied by the dealer
  • Status of the vehicle – Is it in stock? Has it been built yet?
  • Vehicle extras – Are there customised interior and exterior colour options? Have any other extras been added at the request of the customer? Will the added extras impact the ability to resell the vehicle?

Cancellation charges will be calculated based on an evaluation of these points. A full breakdown of the calculation of the cancellation charges incurred, if any, will be provided.

Data Protection

Information provided to us may be shared with third parties in the course of credit checking and/or arranging finance. Your contact information may be used by us throughout the duration of the contract term in the event we need to contact you on matters relating to your contract and/or vehicle. We are registered and certified with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and all information held about you by our company is held in strict compliance with UK GDPR. For further information regarding your data, please see our Privacy Policy.

Our Products

It is important that you are aware of all finance options available to you in making your decision, and that you are adequately informed on all options. Please note that some finance options may not be applicable depending on your circumstances. For further information on the types of finance options available please visit the Finance and Leasing Association website or the Money Advice Service website. Prior to signing an agreement, you must ensure that the additional monthly commitment is suitable and affordable to you and will not create any undue financial hardship now or in the future should there be a change in your financial circumstances. Always consult with your lender for full terms and conditions and contract details prior to signing an agreement.

Disclaimer

Whilst this site has been compiled in good faith, Fleet Alliance Limited makes no warranty or representation that the use of this website will be uninterrupted or error free or that this site or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or bugs. To avoid any doubt, articles and other information are for general guidance only and should not be specifically relied on without taking advice.

Limitation of Liability

To the full extent permissible by law, Fleet Alliance Limited assume no responsibility or liability for any information published on this website and further disclaim all liability in respect of such information. In particular, Fleet Alliance Limited hereby excludes all liability for any claims, losses, demands or damages of any kind whatsoever in relation to any information, content or advertisements.

Complaints

If you have a complaint please contact us:

Post: Fleet Alliance, Complaints Department, Skypark 1, 8 Elliot Place, Glasgow, G3 8EP
Email: complaints@fleetalliance.co.uk
Phone: 0345 601 8407

All complaints will be responded to promptly, and we aim to resolve all complaints within 3 days where possible.

Our business is covered by the BVRLA Conciliation Service and the Financial Ombudsman Service. Any financial services complaints we cannot settle may be referred to either the BVRLA or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Financial Ombudsman Service is a free and easy-to-use service that settles complaints between consumers and businesses that provide financial services. They resolve disputes fairly and impartially, and have the power to put things right. You can find out more about the Financial Ombudsman Service at their website.

A full copy of our complaints handling procedures can be viewed here

 

Treating Customers Fairly Policy

At Fleet Alliance we pride ourselves on being a leading UK fleet management provider whilst offering the best combination of advice, products, competitive pricing and outstanding service.

Our aim is best set out in our mission statement:

Our mission is to be the best leasing and fleet management company in the UK by developing our employees personally and professionally, reducing fleet costs and the carbon footprint of our clients, the result of which is ethical and sustainable growth.

These words reflect the culture and philosophy that is central to our activity. We recognise, however, that to fulfil this objective we must:

  • Encourage our core values of Engagement, Trust, Fairness and Respect through charitable work, community involvement and environmental practices.
  • Invest in the training and development of our staff to ensure they are competent and focused on the importance of treating every customer fairly
  • Monitor correspondence and activities to ensure that every customer enquiry is treated consistently and that any advice given is in the customers’ best interests
  • Continually assess and improve the services we provide to ensure we can meet changing requirements
  • Provide documentation to clearly and unambiguously explain how our fleet management solutions and products work
  • Empower our staff to ensure any concerns raised by a customer are immediately addressed

We constantly monitor our ability to achieve these standards through:

  • Regular training and appraisals to assess individual performance
  • Benchmarking performance against quality standards
  • Internal and external audits
  • Customer satisfaction surveys

Fleet Alliance abides by the six customer outcomes set out by the FCA in relation to Treating Customers Fairly:

Outcome 1: Consumers can be confident that they are dealing with firms where the fair treatment of customers is central to the corporate culture.

Outcome 2:Products and services marketed and sold in the retail market are designed to meet the needs of identified consumer groups and are targeted accordingly.

Outcome 3: Consumers are provided with clear information and are kept appropriately informed before, during and after the point of sale.

Outcome 4:Where consumers receive advice, the advice is suitable and takes account of their circumstances.

Outcome 5:Consumers are provided with products that perform as firms have led them to expect, and the associated service is of an acceptable standard and as they have been led to expect.

Outcome 6:Consumers do not face unreasonable post-sale barriers imposed by firms to change a product, switch provider, submit a claim or make a complaint.

 

Questions or Suggestions

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these policies or believe we are not properly adhering to them please send an email to info@fleetalliance.co.uk