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🚗 Complete Car Buying Guide

PCP vs HP vs cash vs leasing — all explained honestly with damage charges, VED and depreciation

Guidance only - not financial advice. Results are estimates. Lenders may calculate differently. Do not base any financial decision on these figures - for illustration only. Always seek advice from a qualified FCA-authorised financial adviser.

📋 Guide Contents

• PCP explained in depth• Hire Purchase (HP)• Personal loans vs dealer finance• Leasing (PCH)• Damage & condition charges• VED / road tax 2025 rates• Depreciation — the real cost• First year CO2-based charges

📊 Same £25,000 Car — 4 Ways to Buy

Method	Monthly	Total	Own it?	Mileage limit?
💰 Cash	£0/mo	£25,000	Immediately	None
🏦 Personal Loan	~£490	~£26,500	Immediately	None
🔑 HP	~£520	~£27,500	End of term	None
📋 PCP	~£320	~£29,500+	Balloon only	Yes — strict

🚨 PCP Damage Charges — Typical Costs

Damage Type	Typical Charge
Paintwork scratch (over 25mm)	£75–£300 per panel
Alloy wheel scuffs	£50–£150 per wheel
Dent / ding	£100–£400 per panel
Windscreen chip	£100–£500
Excess mileage	3p–30p per mile

⛽ VED / Road Tax Rates — April 2025 Onwards

EVs now pay £195/year from April 2025. Cars over £40,000 pay an additional £425/year supplement for years 2–6.

CO2 (g/km)	First Year	Year 2+ Standard
0g/km (EV)	£10	£195/yr
1–50g/km (PHEV)	£110	£195/yr
51–100g/km	£130–£360	£195/yr
101–150g/km	£440–£1,360	£195/yr
151–225g/km	£2,190–£4,680	£195/yr
Over 255g/km	£5,490	£195/yr

Disclaimer: Guide information correct as of March 2025. Always verify VED rates at gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables.

Cookie-Free.co.uk is not FCA regulated and does not provide financial advice. For illustration only.