What is the Timeframe to Return a Leased Car?

The lease return process will generally start between 30 to 90 days before the end-date listed in your contract—but what if you’re unhappy with the vehicle? Can you return a leased car within thirty days, or even after one day? Although you may be able to turn in your leased vehicle early, most contracts do not include a fee-free cancellation or exchange period. Whether you’re asking “Can I return a leased car within three days?” or “Can I return a leased car several months early?”, you should prepare to pay an early termination fee. You may have options, but you should always check with your leasing company to be sure.

Can You Cancel a Car Lease Within 30 Days of Your Purchase?

It’s certainly possible to cancel a car lease within thirty days of your purchase, but that doesn’t mean it’s advisable. Moreover, you probably won’t truly be able to “cancel” the lease. Instead, you’ll usually pay a fee in order to terminate the contract and walk away free of obligations. There are exceptions—some lessors do offer some kind of grace period to their lessees—but these are far from universal.

The amount that you’ll pay in early termination fees will vary depending on the terms in your contract—so you should always read the fine print carefully. The two most common fee calculation methods are as follows:

• You may be responsible for the total amount that you’d pay over the course of your contract. In this case, you’d essentially have to pay for the entire lease even though you’d no longer have possession of the vehicle.
• In another method of calculation, you’d be responsible for the difference between the vehicle’s current value and its projected value at the end of the lease. (Since lease payments are based on a model’s expected depreciation, both methods of calculation will usually result in similar fees.)

For all these reasons, you should only cancel a car lease within thirty days (or three days, or one day) if there’s a grace period written into your contract!

If you purchase or finance a vehicle instead of leasing it, you can trade-in or sell your vehicle at any time. Just be sure that your vehicle is worth more than what you owe, or you’ll be left on the hook for whatever balance remains.

Can You Return a Leased Car within 30 Days of Your Lease End Date?

Although the precise terms of your lease return process may vary depending on how your leasing company has set up your contract, it’s generally ok to turn in your vehicle before your official end-date as long as your lease balance has been paid in full.

Is There a Better Way to End a Car Lease Early?

If you no longer require a vehicle or you’ve determined that your current lease is a bad fit for your needs, you probably don’t have to suffer through whatever remains of your contract. Although terminating a lease early usually results in burdensome fees, you may be able to swap your lease with another driver from Pasadena or Thousand Oaks. When you swap a lease, another driver simply takes over your contract. This leaves you without a vehicle, but you’ll be free to pursue other avenues.

Learn More About Leasing at Rusnak Auto Group

Contact your local Rusnak dealership with any questions you might have about returning a leased vehicle or starting a new lease. Interested in continuing your research at home in Pasadena or Westlake Village? Take advantage of our car buying tips to ensure that your next adventure is as rewarding as it can be!