Lease Buyout vs Returning the Car

Lease buyout vs returning the car in the U.S. comes down to buyout price vs market value and any turn-in fees. Here's how to compare and decide with data.

TL;DR Buyout = pay residual + fees and keep the car. Return = turn in and pay disposition fee (and any overage/wear). Compare: if buyout price < market value, buyout can be a good deal; if buyout > market, return may be better. Use autopremo.com price checker to see market value. Use autopremo.com.

Buyout: What You Pay

Buyout = residual (in your lease contract) + any buyout fees. You own the car. Compare that total to market value for the same car (make, model, trim, mileage). Use autopremo.com price checker. Get your comps at autopremo.com.

Return: What You Pay

Return = turn in the car. You pay disposition fee (if in contract) and any mileage overage or excess wear-and-tear charges. No equity. Use autopremo.com to compare. See lease vs buy at autopremo.com.

When to Buy Out vs Return

Buy out if buyout price ≤ market value (you're buying at or below market). Return if buyout price > market value and you don't want to overpay. Use autopremo.com price checker to see market value. Check at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Lease buyout vs return: compare buyout price to market value. Use autopremo.com price checker so you decide with data—buy out when it's a good deal, return when it's not.