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Many people consider leasing rather than buying a car because they believe maintaining the vehicle won’t be their responsibility. But this isn’t entirely true.
Most lease agreements specify that customers (lessees) must perform at least routine maintenance and keep the car in good condition while their lease lasts. However, some dealers (lessors) do offer maintenance in their leasing agreements. It’s not common, but they exist, especially with luxury leases.
Be sure to confirm with a lessor whether their leased cars include maintenance before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise, you might face unexpected costs or lease-end penalties for taking poor care of the vehicle.
Who pays for a leased vehicle’s maintenance depends on what is specified in the lease agreement. Most leasing contracts clearly state that you, the lessee, will be responsible for routine car maintenance during your lease. They also typically specify what routine maintenance should include, such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections and fluid checks.
Some car brands, like BMW and Volvo, offer free scheduled maintenance for the first three years. Many luxury leases also include complimentary maintenance in their contracts.
Even though you don’t own a leased car, you are responsible for maintaining it. If you skip routine maintenance, the car may suffer more wear and tear than it should. In that case, the lessor may charge penalties or additional fees to cover the cost of repairs.
Just like with maintenance, you are also responsible for repairs on a leased car. Lessors shift maintenance and repair costs to you to minimize their own expenses and protect the vehicle’s resale value at the end of the lease.
Lease agreements typically specify what you should and shouldn’t repair or maintain during the lease term. For instance, most lease contracts list the routine maintenance you’re responsible for, like oil changes and tire rotations. They also usually specify that you must repair any damage beyond normal wear and tear, such as damage from an accident.
Even though repairing a leased vehicle is your responsibility, you don’t have to pay for it out of pocket. Many lessors offer protection plans, such as wear-and-tear coverage or maintenance packages. You can opt for such packages to cover repair costs during the lease term.
Also, if the leased vehicle has an active manufacturer’s warranty or extended warranty, it may cover major mechanical repairs at no additional cost to you. That said, you typically have to repair car issues that fall outside of warranty coverage or result from neglect or damage. For car issues or damages outside this criteria, the leasing company is usually responsible.
Examples of car repairs often covered by the leasing provider (if not covered by warranty) include:
If your leased car develops an issue, follow these steps to fix it:
Before anything else, you need to be clear on what’s wrong with the car. Is it a major or minor mechanical or electrical problem, or were you in an accident? The answer to this question determines who will be responsible for fixing your leased car.
Once you’ve identified the car issue, read through the lease agreement to check whether you or the lessor is responsible for repairs. This step is crucial to avoid misunderstandings, such as the lessor holding you responsible for repairs that aren’t yours. If you’re uncertain about responsibility, ask the lessor to provide clarification in writing (an email will suffice).
Visit car repair shops to get and compare estimates. If you're responsible for the repair, your lessor may need to approve the estimate before you fix the issue. Why? Some leases allow only repairs from approved service centers and within certain cost limits.
Next, inform the lessor of the car issue and ask if they need copies of the repair estimate. They’ll let you know if the warranty covers it, if you need to handle it yourself, or if they’ll take care of it.
If the repair is your responsibility, schedule service at an authorized repair center. Keep all receipts and service records as proof that you’ve followed your lease terms.
If the manufacturer’s warranty or the lessor covers the repairs, ask them to recommend an approved workshop to handle the work. Don’t authorize the repairs until the lessor provides written confirmation of covering the repair costs.
Send copies of repair invoices to your lessor for documentation and reimbursement if they are responsible. You should also save copies of all communication, invoices and service records. You might need them as evidence if the lessor raises issues when your lease ends.
Failing to repair or maintain your leased car properly can lead to unexpected fees and charges when your lease ends. It can also make buying out the leased vehicle more expensive than it should be. You can avoid these issues by staying on top of routine maintenance, documenting all repairs and following any other vehicle upkeep requirements stated in your lease agreement.
Learn how to make leasing work for you with resources from RefiJet. From guides on auto lease buyout to tips on saving money with extended service contracts, we'll help you make smarter decisions about your car.
Here are answers to some popular questions about who pays for maintenance on a leased car:
Yes, you do if your lease contract specifies that you are responsible for maintaining the car. However, you may not have to pay for maintenance if the lease includes complimentary service or the car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Most leases that include maintenance cover routine services like oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections and fluid checks. The exact coverage typically varies by leasing company, so check your lease agreement to verify.
Usually, no. Most leasing contracts require you to use authorized service centers for maintenance and repairs to avoid penalties or voiding the vehicle’s warranty.
No, standard leases typically don’t cover dead batteries. However, some leasing companies may cover the issue if the battery failure is due to a manufacturer defect or if the vehicle is still under warranty. If your lease contract says nothing about batteries, contact your lessor to confirm who’s responsible.
Who covers oil changes, tires, and service on a lease? Find out your maintenance responsibilities and how to protect yourself at lease-end.
