It happens to many drivers. You lease a vehicle with typical mileage conditions and as you’re approaching the end of your term, you realize you’re likely going to have overages. Most leases allow for for anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 miles of driving per year. At 12,000 miles a year, that means a person should drive about 33 miles per day or 230 miles per week. But what if you realize your commute is longer than that? Or a few unexpected road trips have added more mileage than you expected? The Folsom Auto Mall has tips to help you navigate this potential circumstance.
You can reduce the miles you drive and potentially save some money with some simple adjustments. For example, you can try relying more on carpooling and/or public transportation. You might consider changing your commuting habits for the final few months of your lease. Whether it’s a major change like carpooling or public transportation - or something smaller like making better plans to consolidate the trips you take each day, you’ll save on your mileage and your overage charges.
You can also use your maps apps or GPS to ensure your favorite routes are actually the most efficient. Rent a car for long trips or family vacations. Here’s a thought! Maybe a family member who drives less would be willing to swap cars with you for a few months.
If you absolutely can’t change your driving habits, start saving money now for your projected overage charges so you aren’t blindsided with costs you can’t afford. Another option would be to purchase your vehicle at lease-end. You don’t have to pay mileage overage charges if you purchase the vehicle - plus, you’re finance payments will probably remain low and at the end of the term, you’ll own the vehicle!
If your car is clean and in excellent condition, it’ll be worth more upon its return. This might help offset the costs of any overages. If you’re considering buying or leasing a new vehicle from the same dealership, you can use that as leverage to negotiate your overage costs down. Many dealerships at the Folsom Auto Mall may disregard overage charges if you buy or lease a new vehicle from us. Additionally, factory rebates and incentives may help offset the cost of those extra miles. So, if you’re worried about overages, consider an early lease return! Browse our inventory or ask us about our special offers right now!
