How to Find Out If I Need to Sell My Leased Car

For many people, the end of a car lease represents a significant achievement. After all, it shows that they were successful in upholding the terms of their contract and making all of their payments on schedule.

If your car is leased, you might find yourself needing to sell it but being unsure of your options. There are a few things to think about when deciding if you can sell your leased car. Not just you, either. People frequently find themselves in this situation, and it can be difficult to know what to do.

Here are three approaches to help you decide whether or not to sell your leased car. By taking the following actions, you can choose the best option for your specific circumstance.

Understanding Your Car's Equity

Leasing vehicles has a few special characteristics when it comes to equity. In essence, you are paying regular installments while leasing the car from the dealership for a predetermined period. The rented car does not technically belong to you, thus there is no equity in it. Owners of leased vehicles do, however, have something known as "residual value."

Residual Value of Your Leased Car

If you're thinking about leasing a car, you should evaluate the vehicle's residual value.

Residual value is the anticipated value of the leased vehicle after the lease period. Since lease car owners base their monthly payments on the residual value of their vehicles, it is crucial to understand this value. The residual value of an automobile can be influenced by a variety of factors, including its make and model, mileage, wear and tear, and other factors.

Leasing occasionally results in greater monthly payments than financing or outright purchasing the same leased vehicles since the residual value is frequently lower than the actual cash value of the vehicle. Keep this in mind if you're considering car rental. It's important to do your research to ensure you are informed of all the aspects of renting before making a decision.

Consider Buying The Car From The Leasing Company

If your lease is over, you could be debating whether to buy the vehicle outright or simply give it back and go. The best course of action for you will depend on the specifics of your situation because both have advantages and disadvantages.

Remember that if you opt to purchase the leased automobile directly from the leasing company, you might be able to receive a better deal. Instead of going through the effort of reselling it, they could occasionally be prepared to sell the car to you at a discount.

Return Your Leased Car to the Leasing Company

Of course, while determining whether it makes financial sense to purchase the leased car, you must take into account the remaining lease payments and any early termination fines. However, it can be a terrific method to keep driving the automobile after your lease agreement expires provided you can agree on a fair price and you're delighted with the vehicle.

When customers return their leased cars ahead of time, the leasing firm is pleased. Early termination fees bring in a considerable profit for them. They may also decide to lease the vehicle to a third party in exchange for payment.

Therefore, you might want to pause before giving your car back too quickly. You have the option to choose to purchase the vehicle yourself rather than returning it to the leasing company. You keep the automobile and don't have to pay any early termination penalties by doing it this way.

Furthermore, you can get a nice discount on the purchase. Consequently, think about buying your rental car yourself before returning it to the leasing company. Over time, it can end up saving you a ton of money.

Selling A Leased Auto 

Congratulations on finishing your lease term! You could now be wondering how to covertly sell a leased car. Even though it could appear like a challenging task, we are here to help.

Collect All Required Paperwork

Before you can list your leased vehicle for sale, you'll need to get a few crucial documents, including your car's title and registration as well as your lease contract. If you don't already have one, you can frequently get a copy of your lease agreement from your leasing company.

Look Into Comparable Selling Prices

When you have all of your papers gathered, it's time to start researching prices for comparable models of used cars in your area. This can help you estimate the amount of money you can get for your car. To determine comparable sales prices, you might use internet tools like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book.

List Your Leased Car You Want To Sell

It's time to sell your leased vehicle now that you are aware of its worth. You can either offer your car on internet classifieds sites like Craigslist or AutoTrader, or you can work with a nearby dealership that specializes in selling leased cars. Just be sure to make sure that your listing contains all pertinent information, such as your contact information, the make, model, and current mileage of the car.

Privately Present The Car To Prospective Buyers

Once you start getting inquiries from interested parties, it's time to start showing the leased vehicle to possible buyers. If you can, schedule test drives for the middle of the afternoon so that buyers can view the car in its best light. Always be kind and professional while engaging with potential clients; you want them to have a pleasant time so that they'll be more likely to buy the car from you.

Discuss The Purchase Price With The Buyer

Negotiating the sale price with a buyer who is interested in buying your car is necessary once you've located one. To get a solid notion of the automobile's value, keep in mind to research used car prices, but in the end, the selling price is up to you and the buyer. It's time to complete the sale if the agreed-upon price is acceptable to both parties.

To learn more things about how to sell your leased car, feel free to check this blog post from We Buy Cars Denver.