How to Return a Car at the End of a Lease

What Happens at the End of Your Lease?

The great thing about a lease is that it only lasts for a few years. This short-term commitment offers a lot of upsides, including the ability to upgrade or drive something else next. While you likely won't have the car for more than 24 or 36 months, it's still important to take care of it. That's why you should be prepared for an end of lease inspection.

This inspection looks at both wear and tear and your mileage. Most lease terms include limits on how many miles you can put on the car per year. Along the same lines, it'll be on you to make sure the vehicle is in good condition before you return it to the dealership.

Make sure you stay on top of the recommended maintenance schedule and pay close attention to how many miles you put on the car during your lease. Exceeding the number of miles or returning the car in poor condition can result in paying extra fees.

End of Lease Options

Once you've had the car inspected and the mileage checked, it's time for the fun part of leasing. You get to decide what you want to drive. Your options range from sticking with what you've been driving to upgrading to switching things up entirely.

For example, let's say you've been leasing a Subaru Outback. You've enjoyed it a lot and want to stick with it. You could start a new lease with the latest model and drive home in a brand-new Outback. That also lets you enjoy some variety. You could pick a different trim level, a different color, or add some other options, all while driving something that's different but still feels familiar.

If you've grown attached to the Outback that you've been driving, you can skip the inspection altogether and decide to buy it instead. Just talk to our finance center and they'll work with you to switch from a lease term to financing.

Another benefit of leasing is how it helps you adapt to big lifestyle changes. After all, a lot can happen in a few years. If your family has grown in that time, you could choose to lease something a little larger like the Subaru Ascent instead.