Lease buyouts can save you money, new leases offer the latest tech and flexibility, and buying new means full ownership—but with a bigger price tag.

Lease endings can be stressful, but knowing the common pitfalls can save you time and money. Watch out for mileage overages, vehicle damage fees, and the buy-or-return dilemma.

The Buyout Score is like a report card for your leased car. You enter your license plate or VIN, and we rate your buyout opportunity based on five key factors: equity, reliability, replacement cost, popularity, and mileage.

Over the next 15 years, Billy and Bob will both drive cars, make payments, and live their lives. But by the time we reach the finish line, only one of them will be sitting on a pile of equity, debt-free, while the other is stuck in an endless cycle of car payments.