10 Ways To Save Money When Your Auto Lease Ends
Paying excess mileage charges when an auto lease ends is something most consumers take care to avoid. But many of these same careful lessees get an unhappy surprise at turn-in because of other charges and costs they failed to think about.
Carefully considering things such as best length of lease and residual value and then taking a few simple steps at the beginning of the lease and during the lease term can pay big dividends when the lease ends. The first thing is to read the lease document carefully and clearly understand the sections covering excess mileage, wear and tear, and processing fees.
Then consider what steps you can take to avoid charges when the auto is turned in. What you consider minor dings, dents or scratches can end up costing you a lot. "When you lease a car, the sticker shock comes at the end, not the beginning," said Jack Gillis, a spokesman for the Consumer Federation of America and author of The Car Book, a buyer's guide.
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