April 2017

Review Of The Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen C4 Picasso MPV vs Renault Scenic MPV vs Ford C-Max Diesel: Comparisons & Review

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Looking for an objective review of the Citroen C4 Picasso MPV? OSV have got you covered, from engines to lease deals.

The new Citroen C4 Picasso MPV isn’t attempting to grab any headlines – it just wants to impress you with its cheap price tag, its swathes of interior space, and its family friendly good-looks. In many ways, it’s the quintessential, wholesome family car for those of you who are operating on a budget.

This is the kind of inoffensive-looking family car that’s been populating suburbia for the past few decades now. It’s smiley, comfortable, and won’t let you down. And compared to rivals such as the Ford Galaxy, its £19,500 starting price looks like a steal.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso MPV review.

Citroen C4 Picasso MPV vs Renault Scenic MPV vs Ford C-Max Diesel: Comparisons & Review Read More »

what happens when I return my lease car

What happens when I return my lease car?

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All good things must come to an end, and at some point you will have to return your lease car. But, what actually happens when your lease car is due to go back?

You might currently be approaching the end of your lease contract or you may just be curious as to what happens when the time comes to return your lease car, either way, it’s important to know the process so you can be fully informed for when the time comes.

So, in this article we’re going to cover what happens at the end of your lease contract including the inspection and whether you can extend your lease contract.

What happens when I return my lease car? Read More »

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The Flying Car that could be available for purchase this year

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It’s something you thought you’d only see in utopian sci-fi movies but later this month the first ever production-ready flying car is due to be shown at the most exclusive supercar show in the world, the Top Marques Monaco.

The vehicle was first revealed as a concept back in 2014 and has been built by AeroMobil, a Slovak pioneering company. The vehicle is fully functional as both an aeroplane and a four-wheel car and is powered by hybrid propulsion with the wings sweeping back against the body when it is in driving mode. The vehicle is alleged ‘production ready’ with motor authority reporting that it has a Rotax 912 four-cylinder air-cooled engine with 100 horsepower and a top speed of 124mph in the air. On the road it can supposedly reach 99mph with a mpg of 35.3. Apart from that, technical details are slightly thin on the ground. However, we expect more details to be revealed closer to the show.

The Flying Car that could be available for purchase this year Read More »

a silver car crashing into the back of a red car with two men in shirts and trousers at the scene

Getting a new lease vehicle after an accident

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Accidents happen. And sometimes, accidents happen in a lease car. What do you do?

Obviously when you have an accident there are different severities. You could be involved in a small accident where your car is bumped or dented slightly, or you could end up writing the vehicle off. Regardless of how big or small your accident is, there is a process that you have to follow and it’s important that you know exactly what to do should your lease car be in an accident.
We at OSV don’t tend to deal with this directly. We aren’t the owners of the vehicle and once your car is delivered and the agreement activated, there is little we can do. However, we are there for you throughout the whole leasing journey including the duration of the agreement so we do advise our customers on what to do in this situation. Which is why in this article we are going to talk about what happens if your lease car is in an accident, and what to do should you need a new lease vehicle.

Getting a new lease vehicle after an accident Read More »

Renault Clio

What is the best car for a new driver?

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You’ve passed your test! All that hard work has finally paid off and now you’re looking at a brand new set of wheels. But, which car do you choose? There are so many different cars around these days, and there are loads that could make a great first car, but which ones are the best? In this article, we take a look at the best cars for a new driver and our top tips for choosing the best…

What is the best car for a new driver? Read More »

Review Of The 2017 BMW Alpina Range

BMW Alpina Range

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Fancy a bit more exclusivity from your car? BMW’s Alpina range is a good place to look. They’re basically factory BMW’s but with more trimmings – such as more pace, more performance, more style, and more desirability.
And just in case you didn’t know, Alpina is the BMW-based manufacturer that’s been sprinkling fairy dust on the German brand’s cars for over half a century. In this unique article, we’re going to take a look at four of their recent releases…

BMW Alpina Range Read More »

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Why can’t I get car finance?

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When you apply for car finance, there could be a chance that you could be denied. This could be for a number of different reasons and it’s important that you are aware of these reasons so you fully understand why you might be rejected for car finance.

In this article, we’re going to look at why you might not be able to get car finance and potential solutions or alternatives to car finance. Whether you have recently been denied car finance or simply curious as to why you might be rejected for car finance, hopefully, this article will answer all your questions.

Why can’t I get car finance? Read More »

mercedes a class review

Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback Review

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The new Mercedes A Class Hatchback can boast low running costs, despite being a premium hatch. However, the style will polarise, while the strangely subdued interior is cause for concern. There aren’t many premium family hatchbacks on the market at the moment, and this Mercedes is vying for your cash alongside its usual two German rivals, as well as the Infiniti Q30.

Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback Review Read More »

girl in car, holding out driving licence with a thumbs up - First Car

Can I lease a car without a driving licence?

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There may be a time when you need or want to lease a car. However, you don’t have a licence. Are you able to lease a car without a driving licence? It’s not something that happens often, but it has happened in the past. So, in this article, I’m going to talk about whether you can lease a car without a driving licence, and what your options are if you cannot. No, is the short answer. The likelihood is that you will struggle to find a finance house, dealership or broker that will allow you to lease a car without a driving licence. There may be some out there, but these will most likely be specialist vehicle broker and you should be extra careful that they are reputable.

Can I lease a car without a driving licence? Read More »

man in a suit replacing a registration plate on a red car

Can I add a private plate to my new lease car?

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We answer a lot of questions about leasing at OSV ranging from the start of your leasing journey to the very end. One of the questions we get asked quite a bit is in regards to private registration plates. When you lease a car you might want to add your own, personalised registration plate. In this article, we take a look at whether this is possible and how to go about it.

Can I add a private plate to my new lease car? Read More »

Can a Lease Car be Insured in Someone Else’s Name

Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name?

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There might be a scenario in which you want to lease a car for somebody else. This isn’t a problem and is something that quite a few people end up doing, be it for their partner or their child or even their friend. The only problem is the issue of insurance. Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name other than yours?
In this article, we look at whether insurance is included in a lease contract, whether you can lease a car and insure it in someone else’s name, and whether you need a certain type of insurance on a lease car.

Can a lease car be insured in someone else’s name? Read More »

2017 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback front

2017 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback vs Audi A7 Sportback vs Mercedes CLS Saloon: Comparisons & Review

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Looking for an objective review of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback? OSV have got you covered, from engines to lease deals.

Rarely do you come across a one-of-a-kind car at this price point. But that’s exactly what the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback is. If you want something versatile, something huge, something luxurious, something different, this is a great place to start your search.

Essentially a bigger, more family-friendly version of the 5 Series exec saloon, this GT is softer, positions you higher up, and has a more usable boot. It’s well-equipped, and represents an interesting alternative to a conventional SUV. The best thing? It’s probably BMW’s most comfortable car to date.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback review.

2017 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback vs Audi A7 Sportback vs Mercedes CLS Saloon: Comparisons & Review Read More »

Black cabs

Can I use my lease car as a taxi?

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It’s a question we don’t get often, but it does get asked. You may be a taxi driver, or just starting out as one and you’ve seen how cheap car leasing can be. So, can you take advantage of this and use a contract hire car as a taxi? Well, yes and no. In this article, we’ll look at whether you can use your lease car as a taxi. In some circumstances yes.

The chances are, you will not be able to get a lease car through your average vehicle broker. There are companies that specialise in leasing cars for taxis. In my time at OSV (almost three years) I have only come across one manufacturer that has sent through deals specifically for private hire cars.

However, that’s not to say you can’t. You just have to go through a company that specialises in leasing for taxis.

Can I use my lease car as a taxi? Read More »

Grey Renault Kangoo ZE Charging

How does van leasing work?

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When we talk about leasing we tend to think of cars, either company or personal. And while cars are the most commonly leased vehicle, vans are often overlooked. You can lease vans as well, and leasing a van is a very viable option for many.

The premise is the same as leasing a car but there are some key differences, particularly when it comes to business leasing.

In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about van leasing, from the different contracts to the benefits.

How does van leasing work? Read More »

2017 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer front

2017 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer vs Toyota Verso Estate vs Toyota Prius + Estate: Comparisons & Review

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Looking for an objective review of the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer? In our review, OSV has got you covered with engines and lease deals.

If you want seven seats and still want to look good, the slick new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer allows you to do just that. It’s for families who want to combine usability with desirability, and who fancy something a bit more upmarket to another Toyota. But can it capture your imagination more than the usual family favourites in this class?

BMW are still new to the MPV market, but you wouldn’t know it – their offerings are as useful and classy as anything else on the market right now. They’ve currently got a pair of MPV’s on sale, with this seven-seater being the bigger of the two. It’s powerful, practical and upmarket. But despite all this, it’s still got a family-friendly price tag.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer review.

2017 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer vs Toyota Verso Estate vs Toyota Prius + Estate: Comparisons & Review Read More »

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing?

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Taking care of your lease car is a huge part of having a lease car. But there may be times when you will need to get your car repaired. Perhaps it’s been damaged, or in an accident, or it might have even failed its MOT.

What do you do in that situation?

In this article we are going to talk about what happens if your lease car fails its MOT and what happens if you need to have your lease car repaired.

What should I do if my lease car fails its MOT or needs repairing? Read More »

One-off Rolls-Royces designed by Rock Royalty

One-off Rolls-Royces designed by Rock Royalty

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Rock and Rolls-Royce? The luxury brand have teamed up with British icons to create one-off vehicles that celebrate “the illustrious career of a British pop and rock legend”.

Each of the musicians included were personally involved with the design of their Wraith to create a piece of memorabilia unlike no other.

So, who was involved? Don’t worry, we aren’t going to show you a picture of a Wraith designed by James Blunt, Rolls-Royce have chosen some of the greatest music legends to come out of our small Island.

One-off Rolls-Royces designed by Rock Royalty Read More »

What is a log book

What is a log book?

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When you get a new car there are so many words and phrases that are thrown about that it can get very confusing and at times, overwhelming.

However, it doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming, which is why we write these articles. We want everything to be as smooth and as uncomplicated as possible for you.
And one of the questions that we get a lot at OSV is ‘what is a log book?’ so in this article we are going to cover what a log book is, what its purpose is and why it’s important. It should be noted here that the log book also can be referred to as the V5. As such, we do tend to say log book more than V5 in this article but just to make you aware that the two are interchangeable.

What is a log book? Read More »

2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback front

2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback vs BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe vs Audi A5 Sportback: Comparisons & Review

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Looking for an objective review of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback? OSV has got you covered, from engines to lease deals. The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback is big, comfy and performs like a stallion. What’s not to like for families who want road presence to go with usability? The name itself is a bit exotic. However, BMW hasn’t messed around with this one and it pretty much is what it says on the tin: A large hatchback that comes with lots of space. Leg and headroom is good up front and in the back, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are standard across the range, and the car handles as well as you expect a BMW to handle.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback review.

2017 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback vs BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe vs Audi A5 Sportback: Comparisons & Review Read More »

picture of an orange SOS telephone on the side of a motorway with a lorry coming towards it

What do I do if my car breaks down?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, On the Road /

Did you know that there are 4727 breakdowns a day in the South East? There are only 554 in Wales, but that’s still a hefty number.

Anyway, your car breaking down is not ideal but as the statistics above show, it’s pretty common. And, it could happen to you at any point.

Therefore, it’s important that you are prepared in the event of your car breaking down. So in this article we are going to cover what you should do if you break down on different roads, what you should keep in your car in the event of a breakdown and whether you should look at breakdown cover.

What do I do if my car breaks down? Read More »

Mercedes GLE Review

Review Of The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV: Features/price/comparison

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The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV joined the brand’s large SUV car range in 2015. Essentially a rugged off-roader, it’s based on the Mercedes E-Class. More stylish than the outgoing M-Class SUV, it’s well equipped and can easily accommodate five people. If you’re on the lookout for a contemporary SUV, the GLE is an attractive proposition. Swooping curves and lines give it a very slick modern aesthetic, while advanced technology also helps to bring it in line with its forward-thinking rivals. The engine range is also more efficient. OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV review.

Review Of The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV: Features/price/comparison Read More »