A lease buyout loan triggers a small credit inquiry and adds a new installment account, but on-time payments build credit over time. Here's what to expect.

Buying out your lease is basically getting an auto loan for the car you already know and love—and scoring a great rate is easier than most people think. We break down the costs, the loan basics, and how Lease End makes the whole thing painless.

If your credit isn’t perfect or you just want better odds of loan approval, adding a co-signer to your lease buyout loan can make a huge difference. A co-signer shares responsibility for the loan, which can unlock better interest rates, higher approval chances, and smoother financing.

Can you get a lease buyout loan after bankruptcy? Yes, here's how timing, credit recovery, and the right lender make it possible.

Self-employed and buying out your lease? Learn what income docs lenders require and how to get approved with Lease End.

Not all lease buyout offers are created equal. The right lease buyout loan can save you thousands, while the wrong one can quietly cost you more than turning the car in. This guide explains how to evaluate lease buyout offers, compare loan terms, and avoid common traps.

Learn how to get pre-approved for an auto loan before your lease ends. See real APR data, step-by-step tips, and how Lease End shops rates for you.

Nearing the end of your lease? Love your car and want to keep it? With a lease buyout loan, you can turn your leased vehicle into your very own. If you’re looking for the best lease buyout loan rates, you’ve found them. 

PNC Bank, N.A., is one of Lease End’s lending partners for lease buyout financing. If you’re approaching the end of your lease and want to keep your car, Lease End can shop your deal to PNC and a network of other trusted lenders to find you the most competitive rate, without a dealership in sight. As of March 2026, Lease End drivers with excellent credit have an average APR of 6.18% on lease buyout loans.

Wondering what credit score you need to buy out your lease? See 2026 APR averages by credit tier and learn how Lease End shops rates across lenders.

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio can make or break your lease buyout loan approval. A lower DTI makes lenders happy (and generous), while a high DTI could lead to higher rates or outright rejection. Don’t worry—there are ways to fix it. Here’s how DTI works, how to improve yours, and how Lease End can help.

Not all car loans are the same. Learn the key differences between an auto loan and a lease buyout loan, plus current 2026 APR rates from Lease End.

You do not need to return your car when your lease ends. You can finance a lease buyout using an auto lease buyout loan, which lets you keep the vehicle you already drive while spreading the payoff cost into monthly payments. The key is understanding your lease payoff amount, comparing loan options, and avoiding unnecessary dealership fees.

Lease buyout loans sometimes carry slightly higher interest rates than standard auto loans, but not always. Rates depend on your credit, lender policies, and market conditions. The good news? Lease End connects you with lenders who specialize in auto lease buyout loans so you can compare offers and lock in competitive rates without the dealership runaround.

Santander Consumer USA is a Lease End lending partner for lease buyouts. See 2026 APR averages by credit score and how to get the best rate.

A lease buyout loan is a way to finance the purchase of your leased car at the end (or sometimes during) your lease. Instead of turning the car back in, you take out a loan to cover the buyout price, taxes, and fees, and then make monthly payments—just like a traditional car loan. The big advantage? You get to keep the car you already know and love, often with equity built in.

These fully-vetted banks are ready to offer competitive lease buyout loans, making the process fast, simple, and tailored to you.

Lease End connects you our top lenders: Capital One, Ally, Santander, Chase, and TD so you can compare offers in one place and get the best deal without dealer hassle.

Lease End’s financial specialists are your auto lease buyout loan navigators. They guide you through smart financing, explain payoffs, manage the paperwork, and help you avoid dealership traps—all online.

If your car is worth more than what you owe on it (or if you own it outright), you’ve got what’s called equity. An auto equity loan uses that equity as collateral to secure the loan.