Mercedes-Benz is a brand that stands for luxury, innovation, and quality. If you want to drive one of their vehicles, you have several options: you can buy, rent, or lease. Leasing is popular for many customers who want to enjoy the benefits of driving a new car every few years without the hassle of ownership. Leasing also offers lower monthly payments, flexible terms, and tax advantages.
But how do you lease a Mercedes-Benz in the digital age? How do you sign a contract without visiting a dealership or meeting a salesperson? How do you ensure your personal and financial information is secure and compliant with the law?
The answer is simple: you use the fully digital contract signing service offered by Mercedes-Benz Mobility, the financial and mobility solutions provider of the Mercedes-Benz Group. This service allows you to complete the entire leasing process online, from choosing your vehicle to signing your contract with your electronic signature. With an internet connection, you can do it all from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere else.
What is a Fully Digital Contract Signing?
Fully digital contract signing is a service that enables you to sign your leasing contract electronically without the need for paper documents, physical signatures, or postal delivery. It is a fast, convenient, and secure way to finalize your leasing agreement with Mercedes-Benz Mobility.
Fully digital contract signing is based on the eIDAS regulation, which is a European Union law that establishes a legal framework for electronic identification and trust services. The eIDAS regulation ensures that electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures across the EU. It also defines different levels of electronic signatures, such as qualified electronic signatures (QES), which are the most secure and reliable type of electronic signatures.
To use the fully digital contract signing service, you need to have a qualified electronic signature certificate (QESC), which is a digital certificate that verifies your identity and links your signature to your contract. You can obtain a QESC from a qualified trust service provider (QTSP), which is a third-party entity that issues and manages QESCs according to the eIDAS regulation. Mercedes-Benz Mobility works with several QTSPs to offer you a choice of QESC providers.
How Does Fully Digital Contract Signing Work?
Fully digital contract signing is a simple process that consists of four steps:
- Choose your vehicle and leasing offer: You can browse the Mercedes-Benz website and select the vehicle model, equipment, and accessories that suit your needs and preferences. You can also use the online configurator to customize your vehicle and see the price and availability. Once you have chosen your vehicle, you can request a leasing offer from Mercedes-Benz Mobility. You will receive a personalized offer with the details of your leasing contract, such as the duration, mileage, monthly payments, and fees.
- Verify your identity and obtain your QESC: To use the fully digital contract signing service, you need to verify your identity and obtain your QESC from a QTSP. You can do this online using your smartphone or computer. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and address. You will also need to upload a copy of your identity document, such as your passport or national ID card. The QTSP will verify your identity and issue your QESC, which will be stored in a secure cloud or on your mobile device.
- Review and sign your contract: Once you have your QESC, you can review your leasing contract online. You will receive an email with a link to access your contract, which will be displayed in a PDF format. You can read the contract carefully and make sure that everything is correct and clear. You can contact Mercedes-Benz Mobility by phone, email, or chat if you have any questions or concerns. When you are ready to sign your contract, you can use your QESC to create your QES. You will need to enter a PIN code or use biometric authentication, such as your fingerprint or face recognition, to activate your QESC and sign your contract. Your QES will be embedded in your contract and visible as a graphical representation of your handwritten signature. Your QES will also contain a timestamp and a digital seal that will ensure the integrity and validity of your contract.
- Receive your confirmation and delivery: After you sign your contract, you will receive a confirmation email from Mercedes-Benz Mobility. You will also receive a copy of your signed contract, which you can download and save for your records. Your contract will be legally binding and enforceable, just like a paper contract. You can then arrange the delivery of your vehicle with your preferred Mercedes-Benz dealer. You can choose to have your vehicle delivered to your home, your office, or the dealership. You can also schedule a date and time that is convenient for you. You only need to show your identity document and QESC to the dealer to receive your vehicle.
What are the Benefits of Fully Digital Contract Signing?
Fully digital contract signing offers many benefits for both customers and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, such as:
- Convenience: You can sign your contract anytime and anywhere without the need to visit a dealership or wait for paper documents. You can also use any device with an internet connection, such as your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. You can complete the leasing process in minutes instead of days or weeks.
- Security: You can sign your contract with a QES, the most secure and reliable type of electronic signature. Your QES is based on your QESC, which verifies your identity and links your signature to your contract. Your QESC is protected by a PIN code or biometric authentication, which prevents unauthorized access or use. Your contract is also encrypted and stored in a secure cloud, which prevents tampering or alteration.
- Compliance: You can sign your contract with a QES, which has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature across the EU. Your QES is based on the eIDAS regulation, which establishes a common legal framework for electronic identification and trust services. Your contract also complies with the relevant data protection and consumer protection laws, such as the GDPR and the Consumer Rights Directive.
- Sustainability: You can sign your contract without needing paper documents, reducing the leasing process's environmental impact. You can also save paper, ink, and postage costs, which lowers Mercedes-Benz Mobility's operational costs.