When will you get in touch about the collection?
We really hope you’ve enjoyed every mile in your Octopus EV. We’ll contact you in the final two months of your contract to guide you through returning your car, unless you’ve requested an early return.
What do I need to do before my car's collected?
Check when your MOT is due
You can check when your MOT is due on the DVLA website. Returning your car without a valid MOT will result in additional fees. If you have any concerns around this please get in touch, we’re here to help.
The car should run properly, and be driven with no warning lights on the dashboard, so please book in a service to resolve any issues before your contract ends.
Check your tyres
Make sure all tyre treads are above the 1.6mm legal limit. New tyres typically cost £250 each, so please don’t overlook it! Check out KwikFit’s guide on how to measure your tyre tread.
Check for damages
We’ll email you a link to complete an initial self-inspection using Wondle, a third party tool which lets you know if there's anything likely to be classed as damages outside Fair Wear and Tear. We recommend using the tool to spot damage early, understand what’s considered fair wear and tear, and arrange repairs if needed.
Some of our contracts have an end of contract damage waiver included, you can check your Driver Handbook to see if your scheme includes this waiver. If damages exceed the waiver amount, you can use your insurance to cover damage costs. However, if you want to raise an insurance claim and your car is being collected in less than 30 days, it’s unlikely that the claim will be able to go through - so please allow plenty of time. If you’d like to raise an insurance claim, call the Driverline on 020 3322 2601.
Please note that self-inspection isn’t a final assessment of costs. Our logistics partners will fully assess your car after collecting it and let us know the final breakdown. We’ll share a breakdown of any damages beyond wear and tear with you within 28 days of collection.
Find out more about damages and our tips to make the best out of self-inspections
Resolve outstanding insurance claims
If insurance is included in your package and you’re making a claim through our partner FMG, this must be resolved before your collection date otherwise you’ll need to continue to pay for your monthly contract until repairs are completed.
Remove private plates
If you’re using private plates on the vehicle, you need to let us know at least 8 weeks before you return your car. Find out more about removing private plates.
When will my car be collected?
We’ll collect your car either on the final day of your contract or on a suitable date beforehand. The earliest we can collect your vehicle is 30 days before the natural end of your lease, or if you’re a salary sacrifice driver, your final day of employment if terminating your contract early. The collection company will be in touch to give you an hour’s warning so you know when to expect them.
On the day of collection
Remove all personal belongings and rubbish. We’re unable to return lost items after collection, so please check everywhere thoroughly. Don’t forget to make sure you remove all of your personal data from the car - phone pairings, navigation history, app logins, etc. Check out our removing personal data section.
Your car should be clean inside and out, have a minimum charge of 50%, and parked in a safe place. As well as the car, you must return all keys (including any spares), dealer-supplied charging cables, and dealer-supplied spare wheel and locking wheel nut key.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to change the collection date. If you cancel your collection with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged a fee of up to £250. The same applies if our partners need to rearrange collection due to the car being in an undriveable state at the time of collection.
After collection
Once your car has been collected, we’ll review the collection report and damage appraisal from our logistics partner to calculate any excess mileage or damage charges
Mileage will be pro-rated based on how long you’ve had the car for. If you’ve gone over this allowance, any additional miles will be charged at the excess mileage rate outlined in your Driver Agreement.
We’ll send you a copy of the collection report and damage appraisal within 28 days of the car being returned. Any applicable charges will be included in your final rental payment.
If your vehicle is being collected in Northern Ireland it may take slightly longer to complete the appraisal due to the handover between our Northern Ireland logistics partner and our mainland logistics team.