How to Use the Lease-End Buyout vs Return Calculator
When a car lease ends, you generally choose between paying the residual value to buy it out, or returning the car and starting fresh with a new lease or purchase. This calculator takes your contract buyout price, the car's current market value, the upfront cost of a new lease or purchase, and any expected return charges, then tells you which path costs less in real terms.
The key number is the gap between your buyout price and the car's actual market value. If the car is worth more on the used market than what your contract charges to buy it out, that difference is effectively free equity — you come out ahead by keeping it. If the market value has dropped below the buyout price, there's usually no financial reason to buy it out instead of returning it.
But returning isn't free either — you'll face upfront costs on whatever comes next (down payment, fees, taxes) plus any mileage or wear-and-tear charges from the lease-end inspection. This calculator lines up both real costs side by side so you can make the call with full numbers in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes — if the car is worth more than what you'd pay to buy it out, you're effectively gaining that difference in equity. That said, if a new lease deal is unusually good, returning the car could still work out better, so it's worth comparing both.
Check your contract's mileage allowance against your odometer, and ask your leasing company for a pre-return inspection to flag any wear-and-tear beyond normal limits. If you're expecting charges, enter your estimate in the 'additional settlement' field to compare fairly.