End of car lease contract

When your leasing contract is coming to an end, one essential question arises: what should you do with the vehicle’s residual value?
This amount, defined at the time of signing the contract, represents the estimated value of the car at the end of the leasing period. It’s not just a technical figure — it’s the cornerstone of your next financial decision.

You have several options.

1. Start a new leasing contract

This is often the simplest solution, but not necessarily the most advantageous.
The dealer takes back your vehicle at a price lower than its real market value, resells it with a margin, and offers you a new leasing — with new monthly payments and sometimes additional costs (mandatory full casco insurance, VAT interest, upfront deposit…).
You remain a renter, never an owner. It’s a convenient formula, but rarely the best from a financial point of view.

2. Extend the leasing contract

If the vehicle is in good condition and you’re satisfied with it, some leasing companies allow a limited extension of the contract.
This lets you further amortise the cost of the vehicle and avoid an immediate cash outflow.
However, additional mileage and wear must still comply with the contract conditions.

3. Return the vehicle

This is the default option: you return the car to the leasing company.
But be careful: the vehicle must be in impeccable condition.
Even small scratches, interior wear or worn tyres can lead to high refurbishment charges.
Returning the vehicle can therefore become expensive if it hasn’t been perfectly maintained.

4. Purchase the vehicle and become the owner

For many drivers, this is the most attractive option: buying the vehicle at its residual value.
You avoid return penalties, keep a car you know well, and most importantly, you become the owner.
No more mileage limits, no return obligations, no more Code 178 on the vehicle registration.
With the right financing, you can convert your leasing into a classic auto loan — often more flexible and financially advantageous.

With MultiCredit, you benefit from a personalised assessment to determine the best strategy for your situation.
Our advisers compare the real costs of a new leasing, a buyback or a contract extension, and help you free your vehicle from its contractual constraints.

We can also take over your current leasing contract, refinance the residual value and allow you to become the full owner while keeping your monthly payments under control.

Before signing a new contract, take the time to evaluate your options:
a smart buyback can turn an expensive rental into a long-term asset.
With MultiCredit, the end of your leasing becomes the beginning of real financial freedom.

An article by Munur Aslan, Director of Multicredit.