1. No category

PARTNER
YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Expertise, flexibility and service in one place.
YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
CONTENTS
STRENGTH
IN NUMBERS
Trophy
UK’S LEADING
FLEET SERVICES
COMPANY
298,000
37,000
1IN19
82,000
68%
VEHICLES IN THE UK
1 IN 33
NEW VEHICLE
REGISTRATIONS
CUSTOMER
BUSINESSES
VAN REGISTRATIONS
IN 2013
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
OF OUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
ARE BESPOKE COMPLEX BUILDS
LEX AUTOLEASE IS PART OF LLOYDS BANKING GROUP, WITH
FINANCIAL
STRENGTH,
“Perit, qui parbit;
nenduc
iu meSTABILITY AND SUPPORT FOR GROWTH
convoltum igna, nonscentrius
scidium, sendesse non det remu
legitam in nosunte mquidiis est
Catus condem octa in tabistin se
cons M. Decid diem ad derbis. Olis,
nonte, niaesidees acchuit.”
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
4
2 BUILDING YOUR FLEET
5
6
7
8
9
Choosing your vehicle
Conversions
Equipment options
Funding options
3 DEDICATED COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SERVICES Telematics
Whole Life Costs 4 STAYING AHEAD OF LEGISLATION
Whole Vehicle Type Approval
Operator’s Licence
Understanding driving licences
Operator Compliance (OCRS)
Travelling abroad 5 SUPPORT SERVICES
Driver Duty of Care
Van Excellence Minilease and Daily Van Rental
Fleet Consultancy
6 USEFUL WEBSITES
10
11
12
12
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
STEVE
MANAGER
STEVEHARRIS,
HARRIS,
MANAGER
3
YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
BUILDING YOUR FLEET
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BUILDING YOUR FLEET
Comprehensive commercial vehicle
management, in one place.
Our comprehensive design and build service makes all the
difference to your business – and the size and strength of our
suppliers means you’ll get the best fleet for your needs.
As the UK’s leading specialist commercial
vehicles provider, Lex Autolease can
ensure your commercial fleet runs at
maximum efficiency, for minimum cost.
From design and specification to
compliance, funding and maintenance,
we’ll look after everything for you.
And if you need additional services, our
specialists can create exactly what you
need, at the right price. All in all, it’s
commercial vehicle leasing that’s
second to none.
4
GREATER CHOICE
Versatile vans and body styles to suit you
TAILORED SPECIFICATION
Built specifically for your business – however complex
SEAMLESS DEPLOYMENT
Hassle-free
vehicle adaptation and delivery
5
YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
BUILDING YOUR FLEET
CHOOSING
YOUR VEHICLE
CONVERSIONS
Vehicles, body styles, access and safety features…
we’ve got everything you need to get the best
commercial fleet for your business.
Think carefully about your van now, and you’ll save money later. If your
business caters for a particular kind of customer, or you have to fulfil
very specific requirements, it’s worth carrying out a van conversion.
Having a bespoke specification helps you work more effectively.
SIZE, SHAPE AND DESIGN
Your business depends on your vehicle.
So, it’s worth taking time to make sure
you’ll get the most out of it. Think about
your future. Will the nature of your
day-to-day workload change? Will you
start carrying more payload? Will bigger
or longer equipment fit inside? When
things change, we’ll make sure you’re
flexible enough to adapt.
ENGINE EFFICIENCY
The engine you choose depends on the
type of driving you do – how many miles
you cover, how much weight you carry,
which regular routes you take and what
roads you use (motorway vs. city centre).
By accurately predicting these things, we
can give you an even better van.
PASSENGER SAFETY
Fitting the correct bulkhead in your
vehicle is crucial. Then, if you have to
brake suddenly, your passengers will be
protected from being hit by unsecured
items. Often the quality of the vehicle
conversion is as important as its safety
features. You can count on us to deliver.
ACCESS
Customising the way you access your
vehicle can make your working life easier.
For example, fitting a nearside sideloading door or doors on each side
means you’ll be able to make kerbside
deliveries whichever way you’re facing.
So you won’t have to stand in the road.
A smart and tidy van creates a great first
impression and a safer working
environment. Organised storage means
you only need to carry relevant
equipment – and saves on running costs.
Additional roof space is vital if you’re
going to do roof or building work, or carry
pipes or ladders. Our approved converters
will create the right van for your
business. Along the way, they’ll also offer
useful accessories including protective
ply or polypropylene lining, and
interior fittings including secure
racking and shelving.
These comprehensive products and
services are designed to increase the
efficiency and potential of your vehicles,
including panel vans, drop-side
and tipping bodies and economic
Luton bodies.
KEY FEATURES
GRP
panels
Alloy
mouldings
Aerodynamic
Luton heads
Interior light
Restraint track
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Lightweight
panels
Alloy
underframe
Tail-lifts
cab roof wind deflectors
3D
P olypropylene lining adds smart, clean,
impact-resistant protection to your van.
It is fire resistant and lightweight, increasing
your usable vehicle payload. Ply lining
improves the appearance of your van’s
interior, creating a more professional image.
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
BUILDING YOUR FLEET
EQUIPMENT
OPTIONS
FUNDING
OPTIONS
Your commercial vehicle is part of your workplace. So, employee
welfare is vital. Make the right choices for your fleet from our
comprehensive range of additional equipment.
With so many funding options and offers available, it’s
important to select the right one for your vehicle fleet.
We’ll make sure you do.
By investing in the latest technologies
and working closely with our preferred
suppliers, we can create solutions
designed specifically for you – quickly
and cost-effectively. All equipment
conforms to the highest industry
standards, and suppliers are regularly
audited to ensure we always provide you
with outstanding service and delivery.
OPTIONS INCLUDE
Internal lining and flooring systems
Additional
physical security
Internal racking and storage systems
Load
restraint equipment
Roof rack systems and accessories
Reversing
aids
Towing equipment and rear steps
On-board
power
Beacons and hazard warning systems
Ramps
and tail-lifts
Internal and external lighting
Vehicle
livery/graphics
Health
and safety products –
including first aid and eye wash kits,
fire extinguishers, roof vents, hand
wash units
Lex Autolease’s Fleet Consultancy
team can advise you on everything from
funding, cost reduction, vehicle choice,
environmental requirements and
Duty of Care.
FUNDING OPTIONS FALL INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES
Contract Hire
Contract Purchase
Finance Lease
Operating lease where the lessee uses,
but doesn’t own, a vehicle. Usually includes
full maintenance.
Buy a vehicle over a pre-determined time
period, making a final balloon payment with
the option to return the vehicle at the end of
the contract. Based on an agreed residual
vehicle value.
Gives you use, but not ownership of, a
vehicle. Some of the vehicle price is
charged back as a fixed monthly rental.
The estimated resale value is based on
your chosen term and mileage.
Advantages
F ixed cost motoring, with residual and
maintenance risk passed to the lessor
F ixed cost motoring. Residual and
maintenance risk passed to the lessor
00% VAT recovery on finance and
1
maintenance charges
00% VAT recovery on finance
1
and maintenance charges
00% VAT recovery upfront on vehicle
1
purchase price
o end of contract damage or excess
N
mileage charges
T reated as off-balance sheet for
accounting*
ption to buy the vehicle at end of contract,
O
or hand back to the lessor
P otential for no early termination charges,
depending on your payment profile
F lexible contract length
00% capital allowances available on first
1
£250k plant & machinery spend
F lexibility to extend contract into a
secondary term
n-balance sheet accounting requires
O
vehicle to be depreciated as a fixed asset
t the end of the contract, all sales
A
proceeds (less fees) are used to settle the
estimated resale value, which may result
in a surplus or deficit payment
Points to consider
E arly termination charges apply
E arly termination charges apply
n-balance sheet accounting
O
8
*Likely to change in the medium term with the introduction of a proposed new lease accounting standard, applicable initially to PLCs and foreign owned companies.
However, the timing of this is uncertain, and unlikely to be before the end of 2016
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
DEDICATED COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SERVICES
3. DEDICATED COMMERCIAL
VEHICLE SERVICES
TELEMATICS
Once your vehicle is designed, built, delivered and on
the road, it’s important to make sure it keeps delivering
maximum value to your business by continually
improving operations and monitoring performance.
Advanced ‘in-vehicle’ technology monitors performance
to get the most out of your fleet, every day.
As a fleet operator, you continually have
to make professional judgements to keep
your vehicles running efficiently, legally
and within budget.
It’s challenging, and there are so many
factors to consider.
FOR EXAMPLE
your fleet over-maintained?
Is
this creating excessive downtime?
Is
Are
there risks that haven’t been
properly addressed?
Are
drivers behaving responsibly?
Are
they taking the best routes?
fuel consumption and journey time
Is
as efficient as it could be?
10
To make the best decisions, you need
access to reliable, objective supporting
information. In recent years, commercial
vehicle fleets have increasingly turned to
advanced ‘in-vehicle’ technology to give
them this invaluable insight. Telematics
has led this evolution, using live data
and analytics to provide an in-depth
overview of operations.
The right telematics solution can make
your fleet safer and easier to manage.
A suite of technical tools – including
worker management, vehicle
diagnostics, hours-of-service logging,
driver alerts and applications, two-way
communication and more – help you
optimise operations and be confident
you’re doing the best for your business.
TELEMATICS IS NOW AN ESSENTIAL
PART OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
MOBILITY, SUPPORTING
Driver
performance and compliance
– to manage risk and productivity
Mobile
worker and productivity
– to ensure optimised operations
Insurance
– by lowering costs
Asset management – to optimise
elements including fuel outputs,
maintenance cost reduction, vehicle
availability and mileage tracking
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
WHOLE
LIFE COSTS
Choose the best fleet vehicles for long-term business success with
our comprehensive Whole Life Cost calculator.
Your commercial vehicle fleet is a
sizeable asset, and a significant
monetary investment. It’s important to
maximise your return on that investment
by minimising its Whole Life Cost.
Several factors contribute to
Whole Life Cost during the vehicle
lifecycle – including:
Purchase
costs – such as vehicle
funding, whether outright purchase,
contract purchase, contract hire or
finance lease
Disposal
strategy
Fuel
costs
Operating
costs – including
maintenance, administration and
outsourced fleet management
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Managing Whole Life Cost effectively is
crucial to the success of your commercial
vehicle fleet. By accurately predicting
total expenditure across the life of a
vehicle, you’ll understand your true
day-to-day running costs which makes
it much easier to make the right choices.
The Lex Autolease Whole Life Cost
calculator gives you the freedom to
compare a wide range of UK
manufacturers and model specifications,
from the comfort of your desktop.
Get the latest information on everything
from pricing, options, standard
equipment, technical data, service and
repair criteria, fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions, with minimal effort.
Then, make the most cost-effective
decisions for the long-term benefit of
your business.
YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
STAYING AHEAD OF LEGISLATION
4. STAYING AHEAD
OF LEGISLATION
WHOLE VEHICLE
TYPE APPROVAL
Effective compliance and risk management are essential for
running a successful fleet. No one knows the industry better than
Lex Autolease. We’ll ensure you fulfil all current and emerging legal
requirements on every vehicle we design and build for you.
We’ll help keep you compliant with new
European safety legislation.
European Community Whole Vehicle
Type Approval (ECWVTA) applies to light
vans, passenger vehicles and trucks
weighing less than 3.5 tonnes. To carry
out third-party conversions on these
vehicles, you’ll need to meet certain
safety criteria.
This includes any conversion or
modification which will increase your
vehicle’s original footprint, or involve
electrical work: for example, bodies,
beacons, ladder systems, lighting, steps
or towbars.
14
MODIFICATIONS
Before making vehicle modifications,
you’ll need a Vehicle Certification Agency
certificate of approval. We can manage
this process for you and discuss Whole
Type Approval with our third-party fitting
suppliers before they start work.
APPROVED SUPPLIERS
Lex Autolease partners with a wide range
of approved, highly-qualified suppliers.
We’ll source the right one for your work,
and obtain Whole Type Approval for any
vehicle modifications they’re making.
Please note: although we can help with the entire Whole
Type Approval process, you are ultimately responsible
for ensuring compliance in your fleet.
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
STAYING AHEAD OF LEGISLATION
OPERATOR’S
LICENCE
UNDERSTANDING
DRIVING LICENCES
A goods vehicle operator’s licence is required for every vehicle
and every trip you make. The licence criteria are strict, so it’s
worth making sure you know what you need before you set off.
New driver legislation has made compliance more
complex than ever. We’ll make sure you’re fully legal,
and keep you informed of requirements as they arise.
If your fleet includes lorries, vans or other
goods vehicles with a gross plated
weight of over 3,500kg or (if no gross
plated weight) a non-laden weight
greater than 1,525kg, you’ll need a
goods vehicle operator’s licence.
If your trailer has a non-laden weight of
less than 1,020kg, you won’t need to
include it in your overall weight
calculation for vehicle and trailer
combined. However, if you’re carrying
other people’s goods for hire or reward –
for example, as a courier or for a freight
transport business – you’ll need to include
the trailer weight in your calculation,
whatever it weighs. In this case, if the
vehicle and trailer combination exceeds
the weight limit for a single vehicle, you’ll
need a standard licence.
The type of licence required differs
depending on your situation.
OPTIONS INCLUDE:
Standard licence (National operations)
Fleet drivers need certain licences
and qualifications to operate vehicles.
The requirements differ depending
on the type and design of the vehicle
in question.
C arry your own goods, and other people’s goods for hire or reward,
in Great Britain
The specific licence requirements
you will need to consider are:
aul loaded trailers to or from ports in Great Britain as part of an international
H
journey, as long as your vehicles don’t leave Great Britain
EU THIRD DIRECTIVE
ON DRIVING LICENCES
Applies mainly to motorcyclists, lorry,
bus and minibus drivers, and trailer
towers. If your fleet includes these,
please note:
Standard licence (National & International operations)
C arry your own goods, and other people’s goods, for hire or reward in
Great Britain and abroad
Restricted licence
Carry
only your own goods for hire or reward
DRIVER CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE (CPC)
EU Directive 2003/59 requires
professional bus, coach and lorry
drivers to hold a Driver CPC in addition
to their vocational driving licence.
To add a PCV (Passenger Carrying
Vehicle) entitlement to their licence,
they must pass additional training
and module-based tests.
New and existing drivers also have to
complete regular on-going training, to
retain their right to drive commercially.
If your towing vehicle has a MAM
(Maximum Authorised Mass) of
3,500kgs, it can tow a trailer weighing
up to 750kgs MAM
OR
I f your towing vehicle has a MAM of
less than 3,500kgs, a trailer can be
towed provided that: a) the combined
MAM of towing vehicle and trailer does
not exceed 3,500kgs AND b) the trailer
MAM is not greater than the towing
vehicle’s unladen weight
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
STAYING AHEAD OF LEGISLATION
OPERATOR
COMPLIANCE (OCRS)
TRAVELLING
ABROAD
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) uses the
Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) to decide which
vehicles should be inspected, and how often. It’s important
to understand how this impacts your fleet.
Driving abroad can be a major part of your fleet’s operations.
So, it’s important to prepare properly.
Fleet managers and commercial drivers
are responsible for keeping their vehicles
roadworthy and legal at all times. The
police and VOSA can carry out spot
checks on your vehicle without warning
- and may issue fixed penalties or
prohibitions if they find something
wrong. A prohibition prevents you from
driving until you get the vehicle problem
fixed. In more serious circumstances,
your vehicle could be impounded.
Checks are carried out either at the
roadside or a dedicated testing site.
Typical inspections include:
Authorisation
of load weights, and
load type permitted
General
roadworthiness, and
mechanical faults
Possession
of tachograph records,
and valid occupational driving licence
OPERATOR COMPLIANCE RISK
SCORE (OCRS)
OCRS calculates the probability of an
operator failing to follow
roadworthiness and traffic rules. So,
it’s more likely your vehicles will be
inspected if your OCRS is high.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a
colour-coded score shown as either:
Red – highest risk
Amber – medium risk
Green – lowest risk
The greater your score risk, the more
likely you are to be inspected by VOSA
in the future.
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If your fleet travels in Europe, it’s worth
knowing the legal requirements and
implications that apply in each country
you’re visiting.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE
drivers travelling abroad must be
All
over 18 years of age. Speed limit
restrictions may be imposed if the
driver has held their licence for less
than a year.
Drivers
should carry their licence and
other relevant vehicle documents with
them, and be ready to produce them at
any time, on demand. At all times,
drivers should also carry a full driving
licence (with paper counterpart if it’s a
photocard licence), motor insurance
certificate (with European travel cover)
and passport.
If one of your drivers holds a UK
passport that was issued abroad, or a
foreign passport that was issued
outside Europe, they’ll also need a visa
to enter certain European countries.
OTHER USEFUL THINGS TO
CARRY INCLUDE
Address book with useful contact
telephone numbers (insurance,
breakdown, family)
Breakdown
cover documents
Letter
of authorisation from
vehicle owner (if applicable)
Fire
extinguisher
First
aid kit
Spare
fuses
Reflective
safety jacket
Regulations vary by country, so make
sure you check local requirements before
leaving. If in doubt, contact your Lex
Autolease Account Manager.
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
SUPPORT SERVICES
5. SUPPORT SERVICES
DRIVER
DUTY OF CARE
We’re serious about your business and look after it as if it was our own. So, we’re
constantly looking for ways to add value and serve you better, with essential
services and support that help you manage your vehicles, drivers and journeys even
more effectively. To us, this extra effort is part of the day job, to make sure you get
the most from your relationship with us.
With road safety legislation increasing, a comprehensive Duty of Care
strategy is essential. Lex Autolease can help you put the right fleet
solution in place.
If you’re running a fleet of vans or LCVs
under 3.5 tonnes, occupational road risk
remains a major issue. New legislation
and increased potential penalties mean
you need a clear, effective, driver safety
management programme in place.
Working with AA DriveTech – one of the
UK’s leading driver training companies
– we provide a full-service, online risk
management approach to help you
manage your Duty of Care obligations.
We offer comprehensive driver
assessment and training programmes
throughout the UK, and tailor them to
suit your specific requirements.
OUR DUTY OF CARE PACKAGE INCLUDES
Fleet Risk audit/survey
Driver assessment and training
Eco-driving assessment and ‘top tips’
Licence check/validation
Online assessment and learning
Fleet Risk workshops
Road Safety events
Risk policies and documentation
As well as protecting your drivers on
the road, the programme also protects
your business as a whole, helping to
reduce operational costs and risk by
improving driver ABC – Attitude,
Behaviour and Competence. Identify
high-risk drivers at-a-glance and focus
additional training on them – thereby
saving money by not having to train
every single driver in your business.
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
SUPPORT SERVICES
VAN
EXCELLENCE
MINILEASE AND DAILY
VAN RENTAL
Lex Autolease is proud to be a recognised ‘Van Excellence’
Industry Partner. We fully support this programme in
raising standards and rewarding excellence.
Get the extra vehicle capacity you need, without the
extra expense of a new purchase or long-term lease.
Vans are vital to UK fleet operations and
business. However, activities such as
loading, safety and maintenance lie
outside general road traffic regulations,
and can sometimes leave professional
standards more vulnerable to neglect.
Our short-term van rentals give you
access to a flexible fleet addition, on
demand. Using specialist suppliers, we
offer a comprehensive choice of cars,
commercial and specialist vehicles at
over 1,000 UK locations. From small,
efficient vans through to 7.5-tonne
trucks, you’ll always be confident of
finding what you need, fast.
The Freight Transport Association’s (FTA)
Van Excellence scheme sets out to
enhance the professional profile of van
operators in the working environment.
The Van Excellence Code sets out
demanding but achievable standards for
operators and drivers alike. It addresses
many issues high on the public and
Government agenda and provides a
practical, operational framework
promoting exemplary standards and
recognising exceptional performance.
VAN EXCELLENCE
Raising standards of van operator compliance
Recognising operators who demonstrate excellence
Representing the interests of the van industry
OUR SPECIALIST VEHICLES INCLUDE
Crew Vans
Minibuses
THE BENEFITS
o long-term contract obligation
N
inilease rentals available – if hired
M
for 45+ days
Visit lexautolease.co.uk
or call our dedicated rental team
on 0844 879 6666 (Option4 then
Option 2)
etailed management information
D
edicated call centre for bookings
D
and collections
ehicles fully maintained to
V
manufacturer specifications and
covered by 24-hour breakdown
assistance
Refrigerated Vans
HGVs and Trailers
As a voluntary code of practice for
organisations running van fleets and
leasing companies, we fully support the
programme as a recognised partner.
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
SUPPORT SERVICES
CONSULTANCY
SERVICES
Increasing legislation and a volatile market have made fleet vehicle
management a complex business. To succeed, you must understand these
changes, and respond effectively. Our dedicated consultancy team can help.
Lex Autolease’s holistic consultancy
service helps your fleet meet today’s
challenging compliance and legislative
requirements. By keeping you informed,
responsive and agile, you can balance
cost, choice and responsibility for even
better operational performance.
Our dedicated team has many years’
experience maximising fleet value for all
sizes of organisation. We’ll work closely
with you to understand your business,
and offer specialist fleet mobility advice
to deliver real service improvements and
cost efficiencies.
Lex Autolease Fleet Consultancy
Services consider:
COST MANAGEMENT
F inding your optimal funding solution
aximising the effectiveness of
M
fleet purchasing
ptimising tax
O
S implifying operational procedures
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT
anaging Duty of Care through
M
risk assessment
E nsuring effective Corporate
Social Responsibility
rganising fuel management
O
and journey planning
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YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARTNER
6. USEFUL WEBSITES
Visit these website links to find useful commercial vehicle
information and reference materials.
BRITISH VEHICLE RENTAL AND LEASING
ASSOCIATION (BVRLA)
www.bvrla.co.uk
FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (FTA)
www.fta.co.uk
VAN EXCELLENCE
www.vanexcellence.co.uk
VOSA
www.gov.uk/contact-vosa
VEHICLE TAX
www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/~/media/pdf/leaflets/v149.ashx
ENERGY SAVING TRUST
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/businesses/content/transport
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FLEET,
PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER OR GET IN TOUCH:
VISIT: LEXAUTOLEASE.CO.UK
EMAIL: MARKETING@LEXAUTOLEASE.CO.UK
TELEPHONE: 0845 769 7381
Lex Autolease, Latimer House, Anglo Office Park,
White Lion Road, Amersham, HP7 9JQ
lexautolease.co.uk
© Copyright 2015