Leasing-to-own is a contractual agreement that allows one party to transfer ownership of a property to another party in exchange for periodic payments. In the context of automobiles, auto leasing allows an individual to drive a car for a specific period by making an initial down payment and subsequent monthly lease payments until the lease expires. At the end of the lease term, the customer can make a symbolic payment of 1000 dirhams, and the car becomes their property. Auto leasing-to-own can be viewed as an extended car rental, whereas standard car rentals typically last for just a day or even a few hours, auto leases with subsequent purchase options usually run for two to four years. Many leasing agreements include the option to buy the leased vehicles at a predetermined price after the lease term ends. Most auto leases can be obtained at dealerships or from private car sellers.
When calculating the monthly leasing-to-own payment for any vehicle, several factors are taken into account:
- Vehicle Price (Capitalized Cost): This refers to the retail price of the car. Negotiating this figure down, as you would when buying a car, can result in a more affordable lease. In fact, many experts recommend negotiating with car dealers as if you were purchasing the car outright, and only after reaching the desired price should you disclose your intention to lease.
- Lease Term: This is the duration of the lease, typically ranging from 2 to 4 years.
- redemption payment (End-of-Lease Value): Essentially, this is the estimated value of the car at the end of the lease. Financial institutions that issue leasing contracts, rather than dealers, set redemption payments on vehicles. It represents an approximation of the car's worth at the end of the lease period. The difference between the car's price and its redemption payment determines the car's depreciation after the lease, which is amortized over the lease term. Consequently, auto leasing is often more cost-effective for vehicles with slower depreciation, as they retain their redemption payments well.