Managing a car lease can be frustrating on the best of days. In a constantly changing, unpredictable market? Even more difficult. But, over time, all this focus on “the market” can start to feel like we’re forgetting what these trends realistically mean for the life you’ve built.

You need advice, answers, and transparency. As the leading expert in lease-end buyouts and acquisitions, we know a thing or two about auto leases (and how to easily end them). We’re on a mission to help everyday people make the decisions that are best for themselves and their assets.

So, we’re sharing what we know. As of October 2022, we've helped consumers end over 18,000 car leases and avoid the dealership, and we’ve learned a lot. Our innovative technology, along with the data it gathers, allows us to take an in-depth look at leasing preferences, demographics, and market trends in car leasing. Together, these paint a picture of the current ‘state of leasing’.

We know that informed consumers are empowered consumers, so we share this information to contribute to the modern auto industry we’re working to build; one that doesn’t forget what trends and data mean in the real word to real people.

PART 1

The Current State of Leasing

Which cars are people leasing?

PART 2

How did the pandemic affect leasing?

Chip shortages and supply chain interruptions during the pandemic led to an average increase of roughly $7,000 in 2022 used-car prices. In addition to making used cars more expensive, this also meant that customers who started a 3-year lease in 2019 could actually make money off their car lease. Instead of just turning in their car at the end of their lease term, many consumers chose to end their leases through third parties like us in order to access the equity in their leased cars.

Let's take a look at equity.

Top 10 Car Lease Buyouts with Highest Average Equity, by Make

Highest Average Equity per Car, by Model, of the 10 most common buyouts we do

The highest equity increases were for vehicles that met changing mobility needs during the pandemic. The Telluride experienced the greatest increase in equity from demand for larger capacity vehicles and SUVs. Challenger models provided a sporty escape for open roads, while the boom in camping positively impacted models like the 4-Runner.

PART 3

Demographic Information

In addition to unlocking their equity, there are a few other reasons lessees like to avoid the dealership – one being fees. Standard leases allow a lessee to accrue 36,000 miles on their vehicle over a 3-year period, with some potentially hefty fines for exceeding that limit.

Who went over their mileage limit the most?

These 5 states have the most car leases in the US – and buy out the most leases.

How old are the people that lease?

How much money do lessees make?