I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please e-mail Arval so they can discuss your needs with you. Please send an e-mail to paymentbreak@arval.co.uk including your name, registration number and telephone number. Do not include any financially-sensitive information in your e-mail.

They will reply to your as soon as they are able with some options. Please bear with them as they are very busy at the moment.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. If you have a maintenance agreement on your vehicle, call 0370 600 4499 to arrange for a test. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

My contract includes tyres & servicing

Due to lockdown, limited services are available and suppliers have skeleton staff to cope with emergencies and to keep key workers mobile.

Keeping critical vehicles mobile is the main priority, so to help reduce demand, please delay any requests for maintenance work until the virus situation settles unless it's urgent.

For maintenance authorisations, call 0370 600 4499.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

We are not currently able to arrange vehicle collections due to the current restrictions. If your contract is ending during the lockdown period and you no longer want to use the vehicle, it must be parked safely and legally, and you must retain the keys and keep them secure. Arval will require photographic evidence of the mileage. Please email your name, registration number, the current mileage and the photograph of the odometer to vehiclereturn-operations@arval.co.uk. You must not drive the vehicle for any purpose.

Alternatively, if you would like to continue to use the vehicle beyond the contract expiry date, we can offer contract extensions at favourable rates. Call us on 01282 857775 or e-mail us at infinity.team@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Some lenders will therefore not be accepting any cherished plate applications whilst these restrictions apply, as to do so would potentially put customers in a position where an application is completed but the vehicle would not be able to be used legally until the new/replacement plate can be made and fitted. Keeping the current plate on the vehicle would allow continued use during the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please e-mail RAMT@hitachicapital.co.uk or call 0343 351 9021. Hitachi will take into account your current circumstances and try to offer you the support you need. Please be patient as they are experiencing a high volume of calls.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. If you have a maintenance agreement on your vehicle, call 0343 351 9078 to arrange for a test. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

My contract includes tyres & servicing

Due to lockdown, limited services are available and suppliers have skeleton staff to cope with emergencies and to keep key workers mobile.

Keeping critical vehicles mobile is the main priority, so to help reduce demand, please delay any requests for maintenance work until the virus situation settles unless it's urgent.

For maintenance authorisations, call 0343 351 9078.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

We are not currently able to arrange vehicle collections due to the current restrictions. If your contract is ending during the lockdown period and you no longer want to use the vehicle (and your contract allows you to hand the vehicle back), please e-mail SMECustomerService@hitachicapital.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle. Although Hitachi will be unable to arrange collection for the time being, they will agree a contract end date with you, and will not charge you monthly rental payments after this date. You can cancel your insurance as of this date, as Hitachi will arrange alternative cover, but you will not be insured to drive it so you should ensure it is parked in a safe and secure location to minimise the risk of third party damage, and then you must not use it after that.

Alternatively, if you would like to continue to use the vehicle beyond the contract expiry date, we can offer contract extensions at favourable rates. Call us on 01282 857775 or e-mail us at infinity.team@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Some lenders will therefore not be accepting any cherished plate applications whilst these restrictions apply, as to do so would potentially put customers in a position where an application is completed but the vehicle would not be able to be used legally until the new/replacement plate can be made and fitted. Keeping the current plate on the vehicle would allow continued use during the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please e-mail bfcustomersupport@hitachicapital.co.uk or call 01784 227 322. Hitachi will take into account your current circumstances and try to offer you the support you need. Please be patient as they are experiencing a high volume of calls.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

If you have a final payment ("balloon payment") to make on your vehicle, we may be able to refinance it over a further term so you don't have to pay it in one lump sum. Please e-mail us on customer.services@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle, or call us on 01282 857775.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Please do not submit a cherished number plate application to DVLA unless you already have replacement number plates and can fix them to the vehicle yourself, as you are likely to be unable to obtain replacement plates in the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please e-mail LeasePlan so they can discuss your needs with you. Please send an e-mail to specialsupportunit@leaseplan.com including your name, registration number and telephone number. Do not include any financially-sensitive information in your e-mail.

They will reply to your as soon as they are able with some options. Please bear with them as they are very busy at the moment.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. If you have a maintenance agreement on your vehicle, call 0344 493 5812 to arrange for a test. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

My contract includes tyres & servicing

Due to lockdown, limited services are available and suppliers have skeleton staff to cope with emergencies and to keep key workers mobile.

Keeping critical vehicles mobile is the main priority, so to help reduce demand, please delay any requests for maintenance work until the virus situation settles unless it's urgent.

For maintenance authorisations, call 0344 493 5812.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

We are not currently able to arrange vehicle collections due to the current restrictions. If your contract is ending during the lockdown period and you no longer want to use the vehicle (and your contract allows you to hand the vehicle back), please call LeasePlan on 0344 493 5812. They will ask you to keep the vehicle in a safe place, e.g. on a driveway or in a garage, or otherwise park it safely and legally, and you must retain the keys and keep them secure. They'll ask you to send them a video from around the vehicle and a photo of the dashboard to confirm the mileage. You will need to keep the vehicle insured, and you must not drive the vehicle for any purpose once the contract has been terminated. LeasePlan will be in touch as soon as they're able to arrange the collection.

Alternatively, if you would like to continue to use the vehicle beyond the contract expiry date, we can offer contract extensions at favourable rates. Call us on 01282 857775 or e-mail us at infinity.team@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle.

If you would like to settle your agreement early, we can still obtain an early settlement figure, although this may take longer than usual. Please e-mail us on customer.services@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle, or call us on 01282 857775.

Finally, if you have a final payment ("balloon payment") to make on your vehicle, we may be able to refinance it over a further term so you don't have to pay it in one lump sum. Please e-mail us on customer.services@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle, or call us on 01282 857775.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Some lenders will therefore not be accepting any cherished plate applications whilst these restrictions apply, as to do so would potentially put customers in a position where an application is completed but the vehicle would not be able to be used legally until the new/replacement plate can be made and fitted. Keeping the current plate on the vehicle would allow continued use during the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please visit www.managemyvehicle.co.uk. You can apply to defer your payments online and Lex Autolease will then be in touch to let you know if your request has been accepted. You can also call 0800 389 3690 and select option 4 for Credit Control, but there is a high volume of calls and response times are longer than usual.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. If you have a maintenance agreement on your vehicle, call 0344 879 6000 to arrange for a test. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

My contract includes tyres & servicing

Due to lockdown, limited services are available and suppliers have skeleton staff to cope with emergencies and to keep key workers mobile.

Keeping critical vehicles mobile is the main priority, so to help reduce demand, please delay any requests for maintenance work until the virus situation settles unless it's urgent.

For maintenance authorisations, call 0344 879 6000.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

We are not currently able to arrange vehicle collections due to the current restrictions. If your contract is ending during the lockdown period and you no longer want to use the vehicle (and your contract allows you to hand the vehicle back), please e-mail customer.services@lexautolease.co.uk and enter "Vehicle Return Request" in the subject line together with the registration number. Please confirm your intention to return the vehicle and provide the current mileage in the e-mail message. Although Lex will be unable to arrange collection for the time being, they will agree a contract end date with you, and will not charge you monthly rental payments after this date. You can cancel your insurance as of this date, as Lex Autolease will arrange alternative cover, but you will not be insured to drive it so you should ensure it is parked in a safe and secure location to minimise the risk of third party damage, and then you must not use it after that.

Alternatively, if you would like to continue to use the vehicle beyond the contract expiry date, we can offer contract extensions at favourable rates. Call us on 01282 857775 or e-mail us at infinity.team@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Some lenders will therefore not be accepting any cherished plate applications whilst these restrictions apply, as to do so would potentially put customers in a position where an application is completed but the vehicle would not be able to be used legally until the new/replacement plate can be made and fitted. Keeping the current plate on the vehicle would allow continued use during the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please e-mail customerservices@santanderconsumer.co.uk. In certain circumstances, they may be able to offer a three-month payment deferral. Your agreement would be extended by three months, there would be no additional interest or fees charged, and this will not affect your credit file.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

If you have a final payment ("balloon payment") to make on your vehicle, we may be able to refinance it over a further term so you don't have to pay it in one lump sum. Please e-mail us on customer.services@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle, or call us on 01282 857775.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Please do not submit a cherished number plate application to DVLA unless you already have replacement number plates and can fix them to the vehicle yourself, as you are likely to be unable to obtain replacement plates in the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

I am currently unable to make payments due to the impact of coronavirus

If you are experiencing any financial challenges, please call your lender or e-mail them. You'll find their contact details below. Please note that all lenders are experiencing a high volume of requests, so please be patient.

My MOT has expired or is due shortly

The government has confirmed that all MOT tests which are due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 will be extended for six months. While this extension is in place, your vehicle will not need an MOT test, but you must still make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive.

If your MOT test was due on 29 March 2020 or before, there is no automatic extension and the test must be completed before the vehicle is used on the road again. If you have a maintenance agreement on your vehicle, call the maintenance authorisations number listed below to arrange for a test. Please note that priority is being given to key workers, as there are few testing stations available.

My contract includes tyres & servicing

Due to lockdown, limited services are available and suppliers have skeleton staff to cope with emergencies and to keep key workers mobile.

Keeping critical vehicles mobile is the main priority, so to help reduce demand, please delay any requests for maintenance work until the virus situation settles unless it's urgent.

For maintenance authorisations, please call the number listed below.

Will a delayed service affect my warranty?

We expect that dealers and manufacturers will take a pragmatic approach given the circumstances, as we know that it's not your fault that you may not be able to arrange a service right now.

Some manufacturers have advised that they are extending service intervals and we are obtaining details so we can give you an accurate picture in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, as non-essential travel is currently restricted, we do not expect to see vehicles driven for significant distances beyond their scheduled service date. If you are a key worker, or your vehicle is used in healthcare, distribution or another key economic sector, some garages remain open to service your vehicles, and you can try to arrange servicing in the usual way.

My contract is due to end shortly

We are not currently able to arrange vehicle collections due to the current restrictions. If your contract is ending during the lockdown period and you no longer want to use the vehicle (and your contract allows you to hand the vehicle back), please e-mail or call your lender for guidance. You can find their contact details below.

Alternatively, if you would like to continue to use the vehicle beyond the contract expiry date, we may be able to offer contract extensions at favourable rates. Call us on 01282 857775 or e-mail us at infinity.team@thebestcardeals.co.uk with your registration number and the current mileage of the vehicle.

Cherished (private) plates

Garages are only currently permitted to remain open to provide essential repairs or services, which means the production of new/replacement registration plates is likely to cease temporarily. Some lenders will therefore not be accepting any cherished plate applications whilst these restrictions apply, as to do so would potentially put customers in a position where an application is completed but the vehicle would not be able to be used legally until the new/replacement plate can be made and fitted. Keeping the current plate on the vehicle would allow continued use during the current period.

I drive a diesel and am only doing short journeys now

This may affect your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), particularly if the lockdown lasts for longer than currently planned. The DPF must regenerate itself every 300 miles or so, which is generally done by driving for 10 to 20 minutes at 40mph or faster. This heats up the exhaust and burns the soot in the filter.

Failing that, some cars have an "active regeneration" process that adds fuel to the exhaust in order to raise the temperature and allow the DPF to be cleaned at lower speed. However, the revs still have to stay above 2,000 for around ten minutes, which may be difficult to achieve right now.

If neither of these options is open to you, use your vehicle as little as possible.

I drive an electric car

Electric and hybrid car batteries charge differently than the conventional 12-volt battery in petrol and diesel cars.

Generally, you should aim to keep an electric car's battery charged between 50% and 80% to prolong its lifespan. Try not to let the battery drop below 30% too often as this can affect long-term performance

We advise you to consult your owner's manual for best practice for your specific make and model.

Also be aware that, during lockdown, the installation of home chargers is currently limited to key workers.

Storing your vehicle

If your vehicle is going to be out of use during the lockdown, we've put together some helpful information about how to store it.

Lender contact details