The Pro’s Guide to Car Leasing: Advanced Strategies for Getting the Best Deal Every Time

When you want to be able to get the best deal and make sure your money does the hard work so you don’t have to, you need to have the right strategy. With so many ‘experts’ online and plenty of myths and misinformation, the difficult part is knowing where to start. Fortunately for you, you’ve landed in the right place when you want to know about all things car leasing. Let’s dive into the details without any further delay.

Always compare the total contract values

Monthly costs are all well and good, but you also need to factor in processing fees and the initial rental deposit. It is often the case that the leasing deal that has the very lowest monthly payment in your search is actually masking a higher deposit, leaving you with a higher overall cost. Remember this key point, and you will be able to identify where real value lies when comparing deals of similar vehicles from multiple providers.

Use the 1% rule and know the MSRP

The Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price is the sticker price you will see on the manufacturer’s website for a particular make and model. Dealerships will sometimes mark this up so that they can take a bigger cut, so always double-check the MSRP against the manufacturer’s own marketing materials. Once you know that number, divide it by 100 to get 1%. You then want to make sure that your monthly leasing payment is no more than this value, allowing you to get the right balance between the latest vehicle and true value for money.

Remember that large deposits expose you to risk

It is always tempting to use a little more of your savings on a larger deposit when you are told that doing so will reduce the size of those ongoing monthly deposits. Many of us naturally feel like we’re somehow getting ahead by doing so, especially when we start to see the monthly payments on our bank statements.

The problem is that if the car is involved in an accident and is written off through no fault of your own, you may find it is hard to get all of your deposit back. Paying a large deposit will also reduce your financial flexibility should you wish to sort something else out, like a new boiler or a summer holiday. If in doubt, keep things lean and agile by putting down a small deposit.

Don’t forget that you can negotiate the sales price of the car

When you buy a car outright, you think nothing of negotiating the price of the car, so why not do the same when you are leasing? It doesn’t matter that you won’t end up owning the car at the end of the leasing agreement because what you’re actually doing by negotiating is attempting to talk down the size of the monthly payments. If you can convince the leasing company that the vehicle is worth less than they are advertising, you won’t have to pay as much to lease it. The worst that can happen is that the leasing company stands firm, so make sure to always discuss the sales price.

Discuss everything with a trusted expert

Connect with the likes of Manchester car leasing firm Vantage Leasing, and you’ll be able to get answers to the key questions on your mind. Defining fair wear and tear, knowing how to reliably estimate mileage limits, and figuring out whether it’s better to take out a shorter lease so that the vehicle holds its value better (you only pay for depreciation) all become simple when you connect with an expert. You’re never under an obligation to go further if you don’t want to, and it will give you a quick and easy way to get up to speed with the market.

Focus on cars that hold their value well

Ask any leasing company, garage, or car showroom salesman which makes and models hold their value, and then target them during your search. Although you may feel that this is pushing you towards more exotic makes and more expensive models, what it’s actually doing is giving you better value for money over the course of your lease agreement. Ideal when you want to make sure that you get the best deal every single time.

Take a moment to note down the key points above and then reach out to a trusted car leasing company to hear more. It’s the quick, easy, and stress-free way to get on the road in style for a fraction of the price.