In the past, I've taken nearly new/used vehicles on HP agreements but after the problems I experienced with a Seat Toledo, where the warranty offered by the selling dealership, only paid half towards the renewal of a new steering column, my last two vehicles have been taken on PCP agreements.
I guess the beauty of PCP affords you the following:
The option of changing the vehicle every 24-36 months, without placing down a huge a deposit particularly since manufacturers, more often than not, offer deposit contributions in addition to free insurance;
Reasonably priced monthly payments, since the dealership guarantee a future value at the end of the agreement;
The security of a full manufacturer's warranty; and
Fixed price service agreements for the lifetime of ownership, the price of which can always been haggled over.
With regard to your question as to how long I expect to keep my UP! I intend to upgrade to the new Polo, once my PCP agreement is no longer in negative equity.
Edited by: Miserable Git