EN

Early Lease Termination Calculator

Compare the three ways out of a car lease — return it early, sell it, or keep it — and see roughly what each one costs.

From your contract (buyout price at lease end).
Use dealer offers or online appraisals.
From your contract, often a few hundred dollars.
Charged when you return the car, typically $300–$500.
If your lender gave you a payoff amount, enter it — it is more accurate.
Cost to return the car early—
  • Estimated payoff—
  • Gap: payoff − market value—
  • Sell / trade to a dealer (equity)—
  • Keep it to the end (remaining payments + fee)—

100% private. Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored on a server.

Estimates for education only — not financial, tax or legal advice. Lenders may calculate taxes and fees differently by state or province. Always check your contract.

Advertisement

How early lease termination is calculated

When you end a lease early, the lender wants what is still owed on the car (the payoff). If you return the car, they sell it and charge you the difference between the payoff and what the car is worth, plus fees. This calculator estimates it:

Payoff (estimate) = residual value + remaining payments Return early = max(0, payoff − market value) + termination fee + disposition fee Sell to a dealer = market value − payoff (positive = money for you) Keep to the end = remaining payments + disposition fee

Why a payoff quote is better

Adding up the remaining payments slightly overstates the payoff, because those payments include future rent charge that lenders usually do not collect when you pay off early. If you have an official payoff quote from your lender, enter it in the optional field and the result becomes much more accurate.

Your options to get out of a car lease

  • Sell or trade it to a dealer. Often the cheapest if the car has equity. Some lenders restrict third-party buyouts.
  • Lease transfer. Some lenders allow another person to take over the lease for a transfer fee.
  • Return it early. Usually the most expensive route because of the gap and fees.
  • Keep it. Not a way out, but sometimes the cheapest overall.

Check your equity in detail with the lease equity calculator.

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to break a car lease early?

Roughly the difference between your payoff and the car's market value, plus an early termination fee and a disposition fee. It can be anything from nothing to several thousand dollars.

Is it cheaper to sell my leased car or return it early?

Selling to a dealer is usually cheaper when the car is worth close to or more than the payoff, because you avoid the termination fees.

What is an early termination fee?

A fee set in your lease contract for ending it early, often a few hundred dollars, on top of any amount still owed.

Can I transfer my car lease to someone else?

Some lenders allow lease transfers for a fee. Ask your leasing company whether it is permitted.

How accurate is this calculator?

It is an estimate. Lenders calculate payoff and early termination differently. Ask for an official quote before deciding.

More lease calculators