How Early Can a Person Get out of a Car Lease?

Get out of your car lease early.

Manufacturer Programs

Many vehicle manufacturer's offer early lease-end programs to keep your business. Call your leasing institution to find out if any special programs apply to you. Manufacturer programs change every month, so you might have an opportunity to get out early if you lease or buy another vehicle from the same leasing company (check back monthly). Pull-ahead programs can allow you to end your lease up to one year early, although most programs allow for a three-month early lease-end option.

Lease Termination

You can end your lease at any time. Unfortunately, this can prove costly. To get out of your lease, you'll pay every payment due until the end of the contract in addition to early termination fees. Termination fees differ by lender, so read your contract and discuss your options with your bank.

Bottom Line

You can end your lease at any time, if you have the money to afford the fees and payments. Or, you can wait until your manufacturer offers a program for early lease turn-in, but you usually have to buy or lease another car. Otherwise, you can wait until the end of your contract and walk away without having to make another purchase or try to trade it in for another car. See a dealer for details.

References

• JDPower.com: How to End Your Lease Early