Zen Auto Car Leasing Review: Pros, Cons & Features

Zen Auto is part of the Zenith Group, which has been leasing vehicles since 1989, so they have a long-standing partnership with all the UK’s leading car brands and have provided cars to many UK businesses over the last 3 decades.

Zen Auto have a vast fleet exceeding 162,000 vehicles, and a funded segment boasting over 70,000 vehicles. Their team of over 1,200 dedicated employees ensures smooth operations and top-notch customer support. 

Nearly 19% of Zen Autos’ funded fleet comprises of EVs and currently, 58% of their pending order are electric!

Zen Auto Car Leasing

• Flexible Deposits
  Tweak your monthly payments by choosing 
  the deposit amount that suits your budget
  
  
• Access to over 450 EVs
  
  
• Free delivery
  
  
• 100% online ordering
  
  

Check Eligibility

Zen Auto Car Leasing Pros & Cons

We selected these pros and cons based on the criteria that Electric Car Guide customers identified as the most important to them in our survey of EV owners. We also researched real-world customer reviews on Trustpilot (both positive and negative) and compared Zen Autos’ features with its nearest competitors.

Am I eligible for a Zen Auto lease?

You must live within Mainland GB, as that’s where the car will be delivered.

You must consent to a finance check, which includes a credit check, ID, and fraud checks. Without this consent, you cannot apply. Passing the finance check is essential. If you don’t then you won’t be eligible for an electric car lease.

When the car is delivered, you need to provide a photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport. Only you can sign for the car upon delivery; third-party signatures are not accepted.

Zen Auto Car Leasing features at a glance

Zen Auto Car Leasing full review

Owned by Zenith Vehicle Contracts Limited, Zen Auto has the backing of the UK’s leading independent leasing, fleet management, and vehicle outsourcing company.

Zen Auto offers an expansive range of vehicles, featuring all the EV manufacturers that drivers have come to expect. It’s not just about variety, Zen Auto try hard to work with you on getting your individual deal right: selecting the perfect spec, added extras, and fine-tuning the lease to achieve a monthly payment that fits your budget.

Zen Auto delivers stock cars quickly and delivery is free.

Zen Auto contract and early termination protection

Zen Auto offers a PCH lease contract.

The minimum term for the lease is 24 months and if you decide to terminate the contract early, Zenith charges a fee equivalent to 40% of the outstanding monthly payments. If you are in the last 3 months of your contract you have to pay 100% of the remaining balance when terminating.

Zen Auto deposit

Zen Auto provides good flexibility when it comes to deposit payments. While ordering online, customers can adjust the deposit amount, if you select a higher upfront deposit your monthly payments will be less.

If you opt for a lower deposit, your payments will be higher.

Zen Auto EV charging benefits

Zen Auto Leasing does not offer any additional charging benefits for EV owners.

Zen Auto Electric Car Options

There’s a decent variety with 445 Electric cars available for leasing.

What’s included with a Zen Auto Car Lease?

By default, the lease comes with the car only. However, with parent company Zenith’s EV Salary Sacrifice scheme, customers can opt for a full all-inclusive package.

Can I purchase my car at the end of a Zen Auto lease?

There is no provision to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease term.

Zen Auto customer support

Zen Auto’s dedicated customer support team can be reached on 0113 537 0276. 

Email support is also well-structured based on the nature of queries:

For new car interests: [email protected]
Existing car queries: [email protected]
Order status: [email protected]
Financial questions: [email protected]

There is no chat feature on the Zen Autos website.

Zen Auto lead time & delivery cost

Customers can expect a lead time of 4 weeks.

Zen Auto provides a free delivery service.

Zen Auto Salary Sacrifice option

Zen Auto itself doesn’t have a salary sacrifice option. However, its parent company, Zenith, provides a comprehensive salary sacrifice scheme, this scheme includes:

• A brand-new car.
• Comprehensive EV insurance.
• Road tax coverage.
• Scheduled maintenance and servicing.
• EV Breakdown assistance.
• Provision for replacement tyres.
• Windscreen and glass coverage.
• Efficient accident management.
  

What Zen Auto Car Leasing does well

Variety of EVs
With 445 Electric Vehicles available, there’s a good electric range for customers to choose from.

Flexible deposits
The option to configure the deposit amount online provides customers with flexibility in managing upfront costs.

No delivery charges
Free delivery is a welcome perk

Where Zen Auto Car Leasing falls short

No Charging add-ons
For electric vehicles, it would be useful for customers to benefit from a subsidised home charger offer or a public charging benefit.

No purchase option
At the end of the lease term, there’s no option to purchase the vehicle.

Early termination fee
The fee of 40% of the remaining monthly payments for early termination could be a significant cost.

Salary Sacrifice is via another part of the business
While Zenith offers a comprehensive salary sacrifice scheme, it’s not directly available through Zen Auto.

What electric cars does Zen Auto Car Leasing offer?

Zen Auto have an expansive range of EVs to cater to most needs and choices! With an impressive selection of 445 models, customers have access to a comprehensive selection.

From compact city runabouts to luxurious SUVs, Zen Auto’s collection promises something for every EV owner.

Their vast portfolio includes vehicles from all major EV manufacturers, so customers are spoilt for choice.

How do I apply for Zen Auto Car Leasing?

1. Choose your car
   Begin by finding a decent option from Zen Auto’s extensive range, which includes hundreds of EVs.
   
   
2. Complete the online application
   The application process is streamlined on the Zen Auto website to make it hassle-free. You’ll get a complete breakdown of:
   
   
   • Total monthly cost (inclusive of VAT).
   • The overall cost for the lease duration.
   • Application processing fee.
   • Initial upfront payment.
   • The total length of your lease.
     
     
3. Customise your agreement
   Zen Auto offers flexibility in the lease terms. You have the freedom to adjust the duration of the lease or modify the initial payment to suit your financial situation.
   
   
4. Consent to a finance check
   A mandatory step in the application is the finance check. This comprehensive check includes areas like credit, affordability, ID verification, and fraud checks. If you don’t pass, Zen Auto will not be able to lease a car to you.
   
   
5. Initial payment
   Before the car is delivered, the initial payment needs to be made. For most vehicles, this will be taken via direct debit from the account you’ll use for monthly payments, with a 10 working day notice.
   
   If you wish to use a different payment method or if there’s an issue with the direct debit, Zen Auto will speak to you to arrange payment via a debit card.

The final word on Zen Auto Car Leasing

Zen Auto’s history in the leasing market has enabled them to evolve their product to suit modern consumer needs.

Zen Auto push a digital-first approach and, combined with the personalisation of lease terms, they demonstrate both the flexibility and convenience that customers expect these days.

Their vast selection of cars, combined with a transparent leasing process, makes them stand out. Their connection to Zenith, a trusted name in UK vehicle leasing, gives customers confidence in their processes and operations.

Zen Auto Car Leasing

• Flexible Deposits
  Tweak your monthly payments by choosing 
  the deposit amount that suits your budget
  
  
• Access to over 450 EVs
  
  
• Free delivery
  
  
• 100% online ordering
  
  

Check Eligibility

Help if you’re struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases

Late payments on car subscriptions or leases can lead to financial difficulties. If you find yourself struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases, it is essential to seek professional guidance. Several debt advice services can help:

• StepChange: StepChange offers debt management plans tailored to your situation
• Citizens Advice: Offering free and confidential advice on managing debts.
• National Debtline: National Debtline is a helpline specifically designed to assist with personal debt, including car subscription or lease obligations.
• MoneyHelper (formerly The Money Advice Service): Providing tools and support to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Remember, the terms of car subscriptions and leases can vary significantly, so it’s really important to read and understand your specific agreements and obligations.

Zen Auto review methodology

At Electric Car Guide, our review of Zen Auto was conducted with impartiality and an in-depth understanding of what electric car users value. Here’s how we worked through our evaluation:

1. Customer Feedback from Electric Car Guide: We surveyed users from our EV focus group. These insights offered us a firsthand view of real-world experiences and car subscription expectations, allowing us to frame our review around actual user needs and preferences.
   
   
2. Reviews: We took into account both positive and negative reviews from Trustpilot. This provided a balanced perspective, acknowledging the praises and criticisms Zen Auto has received from a diverse range of customers.
   
   
3. Comparison with Competitors: We compared Zen Auto’s features, offerings, and customer experience against their nearest competitors in the electric car subscription market. This enabled us to gauge Zen Auto’s standing in the industry, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement.

John Ellmore

John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.

With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.

John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.