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Best ways to look after your brand new car

Take a moment to breathe it in – the intoxicating smell of that brand new car that’s been delivered to your driveway – it’s marvellous!

Now you’ve got your dream wheels thanks to Just Drive you swear to yourself that you won’t eat in it or use it at the Drive-Thru, you won’t ever smoke in it, you’ll wash it every Sunday and vow to always fill it up with Premium Unleaded at the petrol station.

But are these the best ways to prolong the newness of your car? Follow our advice and you could keep that new car feel and help to prevent any additional charges for repairs when you hand the car back at the end of your contract.

 

Prioritise a maintenance plan

Keeping up-to-date with your services and general car maintenance can be an expensive chore. Thankfully, Just Drive provides maintenance contracts when you first lease your dream car so that you never have to worry about those things. The maintenance plan includes regular servicing and tyre replacement, after wear or puncture damage. It’s a fantastic way to spread the cost over your contract, meaning that all you have to do is insure it and fill it up with fuel.

 

Car servicing

Servicing your car is designed to prolong its life. They’re not a legal requirement but if you care about the vehicle, you should invest wisely. Minor services include changing the oil and oil filter, and replacing other fluids if necessary. Then, depending on its age or mileage, a major service may also replace the air filter, spark plugs and cambelt.

Services generally also include:

  • Checks for oil and fluid leaks
  • Tyre pressure and condition
  • Exhaust emissions checks
  • Brake wear
  • Making sure the steering, gearbox, clutch, suspension, lights, wipers and horn all work

 

Car MOTs

Since your car is brand new, you won’t have to worry about its MOT for the first three years. If you’re on a four-year contract, you will need to get this sorted on your car’s birthday or face voiding your insurance.

 

Invest in SMART Care

SMART Care is your go-to plan for protecting against cosmetic damage to your car. It covers those irritating little bumps and scrapes that could affect your additional charges when you return your car but don’t warrant harming your no-claims.

SMART Care is a Small and Medium Area Repair Technique that uses the latest paint technology, alloy wheel refurbishment and paintless dent removal processes to ensure that your car is covered for any chips or scratches. For you, this means that you can get them fixed without compromising your insurance and no claims bonus. Simply make a one-off payment at the start of your lease and you’re covered for the lifetime of the contract.

 

Find out more about SMART Care today

 

 

Have GAP insurance

Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance is the peace of mind you need in the event of a serious accident. Since you’re leasing your car, you are still liable for the payments until the end of your contract.

While GAP insurance won’t affect how you immediately look after your car, it is a good security net if something bad happens. So, if you’re involved in an accident that needs a huge amount of repairs or if the car gets written off entirely, GAP Insurance allows you to pay your lender by covering the difference between your vehicle’s price when you leased it and its market value when you make a claim and exit your payment agreement.

 

Find out more about GAP insurance today

 

 

Keep it clean

Yes, cleaning your car (regularly) will prolong its ‘newness’. Not least because hygiene is important, but because dust and mud can damage your car’s exterior. Bird poo can wreak havoc on your paintwork and come the winter, salt and grit can be the biggest nuisance and promote rust.

Inside the car, dust and grime can get in the crevices of your interior. Also, as any driver will know, there’s nothing worse than a filthy windscreen impeding your view when the sun is low. It’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous. Keeping your windscreen clean and clear is safe, hygienic and a good way of spotting chips, which you should also get seen to right away.

Whether you do it yourself or go to a fancy drive-through, keeping your car clean is a vital part of its maintenance. Besides, no-one likes having to scramble over bottles and litter to get to your passenger seat – it’s gross – and festering takeaway packets will be the first thing to drive away that lovely new car smell.

 

Cover it up

Speaking of keeping your car clean, protect it from the elements by parking it in your garage or carport, if you have one. Failing that, use a waterproof cover to keep it dry and clean when not in use. For one thing, cars that are kept in garages tend to have lower insurance premiums since they’re less likely to suffer accidental damage, vandalism and theft.

 

Summary of car care

All-in-all, there are lots of ways to prolong the newness of your car, starting mainly with some routine behaviours and sensible investment. SMART Care and GAP insurance can save you money in the long run, while regular cleaning and upkeep – even reducing the weight in your car – will lower fuel consumption and alleviate excessive wear and tear, fortifying your car’s reliability and lifespan.

Got any more questions? Feel free to get in touch. We’re open Monday -– Friday from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm and you can give us a call on 0333 241 7777 to chat about your car leasing options with one of our friendly teammates. Otherwise, pop down and see us – we’re just off Junction 10 of the M20 and less than 40 minutes from London by train.

 

Just Drive your dream car today

 

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