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Can I Buy My Leased Car Early?
Published 8/15/25
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes
TL;DR: If you’re already thinking about buying out your lease, we think you’re ready to make your move—whether you’ve got 12 months or 6 months left on the clock.
Leasing a car has its perks: lower monthly payments, always driving something new, and skipping the long-term commitment of ownership. But here’s the thing: if you’re already thinking about buying out your lease, we think you’re ready to make your move—whether you’ve got 12 months or 6 months left on the clock.
Why? Because once you know you want to own the car, there’s no reason to keep paying “rent” to the dealer when you could be building ownership (and equity) instead.
Alright, tell me more.
If you’re in that “I’m ready” mindset, the first step is easy: pop your license plate or VIN into our free lease buyout calculator to get your estimated monthly payment for ownership. That might be all you need to seal the deal.
We'll start with early lease buyout benefits at a glance, then we'll walk through more of the details of why buying out your lease early can be a financial win, a practical move, and potentially a huge relief.
- Lower interest costs: Lease interest rates are often higher than buyout loan rates.
- Lock in equity: Capture your car’s market value before it changes.
- Avoid end-of-lease fees: Skip costly mileage overages and wear-and-tear charges for peace of mind (sooner).
- Gain full control of your vehicle: Decide when and how to trade, sell, or keep your car if an opportunity arises in the short-term.
- Stay ahead of the market: Take advantage of high used car values while they last.
Why buy out your lease, period?
In the world of leasing, deciding whether to buy out your lease at all—regardless if it's early—is not always straightforward.
But here are a few instances where it might make sense:
- You’ve grown attached to your ride. That connection you feel with your leased car? It matters. If your wheels have become an extension of yourself, filled with memories of road trips and family moments, buying it out might just be the natural next step.
- Equity is calling your name. You've been dutifully paying off your lease, and now there may be equity in the equation. If the market value of your leased car exceeds its residual value, you're in the equity zone. That's a potential opportunity worth exploring.
- You've gone over mileage limits or have excess wear and tear. Exceeding mileage limits or accumulating wear-and-tear can turn lease end into a financial nightmare. With fees lurking around every corner, buying out might be the escape route you need to avoid a hefty bill.
- You want to try to turn a profit. Ever wondered about depreciation in leasing? Here's the lowdown: Your leased car depreciates, and that affects its value at lease end. But if market conditions swing in your favor, you might have an opportunity to turn a profit by buying out and selling the car at a premium.
- You prefer your pajamas over the dealership. Let's be real—dealer visits aren't always a joyride. If you'd rather stay in your comfort zone (literally), buying out your lease online can save you the hassle of dealership trips and paperwork marathons.
Basically, whether it's an emotional attachment, financial opportunity, or convenience calling your name, there are options available to make the buyout process smooth sailing.
OK. Then, Why Buy Out Your Lease Early?
The interest rate on most leases is typically higher than what you’d pay for a lease buyout loan. The sooner you refinance into ownership, the less you could end up paying in interest over the life of your loan.
Plus, if your car’s market value is currently higher than your buyout price, you’ve got something called positive lease equity. That’s the difference between what your car is worth and what you still owe...and it’s basically free money you can keep (or roll into a new car down the road).
Some of the best times to buy out early include:
- You’re within 6–12 months of your lease ending and want to lock in your car’s value before the market changes.
- You’re already close to (or over) your mileage limit, and you want to opt out of the pricey penalties looming over you.
- You’ve got wear-and-tear issues that could rack up big end-of-lease charges.
- You like the idea of being in the driver’s seat (literally and figuratively) for the future of your car—whether that’s keeping it long-term or trading it in when the new model drops in a few months.
Compare with Market Value
Before deciding to buy your leased car early, it's a good idea to compare your payoff amount (your leasing company has this info) with the current market value of the vehicle. You can use online resources such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to estimate the market value.
If the buyout price is lower than the market value, buying the car early could be a good financial decision, as you may be getting the vehicle for less than it's worth.
However, if the buyout price is higher than the market value, you may want to consider other options, like returning your leased car for a new one or car shopping for a different car to purchase.
Note: The market value may be a non-issue if you’re buying your leased car because you love it and not for purely financial reasons. We just want to make sure you understand all the implications of leasing and lease buyouts as your buyout buddy (even if it’s stuff your dealer won’t tell you!).
In Conclusion
So, basically? Yes, you can, and probably should, buy your leased car early.
Buying your leased car early can lock in equity, lower costs, and get you into ownership faster. If you already know you want to keep your car, there’s no reason to wait.
From payoff to plates, Lease End has your back. Simply fill out the form below with your VIN or license plate number to get started!
About the author
Rebecca Graham
With over a decade of professional writing experience, Rebecca transforms complex concepts and data into clear, engaging content. When she's not honing Lease End's organic growth strategy, she's fanning the flames of her Wicked obsession, crafting custom candles, or walking Utah’s mountain trails. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn.
Lease End's mission is to empower auto lease owners with the technology to easily exit their lease. If you'd like to learn more about the lease-end options available to you, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our expert advisors are always prepared to answer your questions and are committed to finding the right plan for your individual needs.
©2025 Lease End
©2025 Lease End
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