But remember, excess mileage hurts whether you own or lease your vehicle. If you're rough on cars, if they have that lived-in look, and you tend to look past a fender bender or two, leasing a vehicle may not be your best option. Many big-ticket chargeable items are covered under your insurance, but tears to the upholstery are not. The biggest financial issues come when you terminate your lease or the car is returned in need of any repairs or interior restoration work. If you terminate the lease before it expires, you're responsible for the difference between balance and the dealer's fixed residual value.
Early termination can include a return fee and easily cost thousands of dollars.
In addition to the aforementioned vehicle-usage charges for extra mileage, banks can impose cash penalties fees for everything from mechanical problems to stains in the seats. Some banks also charge a disposition fee. This is a fee to return the car. Always check about this. Another cost included in auto lease agreements is gap liability insurance, an added level of insurance if the lease payment exceeds your insurance payment in the event the car is wrecked, stolen or hit by lightning.