Can You Lease a Used Car?

Just as you can buy a new car or a used car, you also may have that choice if you decide to lease. While used-car leases are rarer than leases on new cars, they can be a viable option, especially if you’re looking to save some money.

Why Lease a Used Car?

The major reason to consider leasing a used car is that you will pay less than if you lease a new one. The cost of a lease is determined, in part, by the difference between the value of the car at the beginning of the lease and its residual value at the end. Since used cars don’t depreciate as quickly as new ones, that difference is likely to be smaller.

You also may save money on auto insurance because the value of your car plays a role in the cost of coverage, making used cars less expensive to insure than new ones in many instances.

Where to Lease a Used Car

Most auto dealerships will lease used cars, but typically only certified pre-owned (CPO) ones. CPO cars usually are newer models, often just two or three years old, and in many cases were previously leased by another driver. They will have been rigorously inspected by the dealer, and any maintenance or cosmetic issues will have been addressed to bring the car up to a certain standard. CPOs also come with warranties that extend the manufacturer’s original warranty, which still may be in effect. For all those reasons, CPO cars typically cost more than comparable used cars.

Another option for leasing a used car is taking over someone else’s existing lease. Third-party sites like Swapalease and LeaseTrader provide listings that can help you find people who are looking to get out of their car lease. You don’t have as many options when you take over someone else’s lease, since you’re tied to the terms of their original lease. Note that some leasing companies will charge a fee to transfer the lease, and you also may have to pay a fee if you use a third-party site to help facilitate the lease transfer.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve decided to lease a car, it’s worth taking a look at recent used models that are available for leasing. Your monthly payments are likely to be lower, and you may be able to get more car for your money.