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- Is an Ex-Leased Vehicle a Good Alternative to a Private One?
Is an Ex-Leased Vehicle a Good Alternative to a Private One?
Discover why buying a previously leased car is a smart choice for your dealership. Learn about their benefits, variety, and how to buy ex-lease vehicles easily through eCarsTrade.
Trade-ins, cars from private sellers, damaged vehicles—there are many options when it comes to stocking a used car dealership. Ex-lease vehicles are another great category that more and more traders are turning to.
But should you buy a leased car? And how does buying a previously leased car compare to other options?
Ex-lease cars offer some unique advantages. But before we dive into these, we’ll first see what classifies a vehicle as an ex-lease car and what makes it different from other used cars.
What is an ex-lease vehicle?
Essentially, an ex-lease vehicle is a vehicle that a business had leased out for a set period. Luckily for those buying ex-lease cars, these leases usually come with strict rules, like regular maintenance and keeping the car in good condition.
Since ex-lease cars are kept so well and have clear histories, they’re perfect for dealerships looking for quality stock.
Benefits of ex-lease vehicles
Now that you know what ex-lease cars are, let’s see why they might be a good fit for your dealership.
Previous maintenance
The biggest benefit of ex-lease vehicles is that their previous owners were contractually obliged to take good care of them.
So, you don’t have to be afraid of quick DIY fixes like duct-taping a side mirror back into place.
In other words, buyers of ex-lease vehicles can rest assured that these cars have been professionally maintained, which makes it easier for resellers to focus on selling them without fixing them first.
Transparent service history
Private car owners sometimes skip a service here or there or forget to log repairs. However, since lessees follow strict maintenance schedules, most ex-lease cars come with a full, transparent service history.
For instance, this is a service history overview of an ex-lease Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer sold on eCarsTrade. As you can see, the car has gone through regular checkups, and every intervention has been documented.
Keep in mind that not all cars will come with a full service history, as this depends on the leasing company. Remember to check the description of the car thoroughly before you bid on it or make an offer to see which reports are provided with it!
With logs like this one, both you and your buyers can clearly see that the car has been well cared for, with no surprises or skipped maintenance.
Appraisal reports
When you’re buying an ex-leased car, one of the perks is that most of these vehicles undergo a detailed inspection by an independent expert.
If the leasing company partners with an inspection service like Dekra or Macadam, you’ll also be able to see an appraisal report. These reports usually include photos, details about any wear and tear, and notes on potential defects, so you know exactly what to expect.
It’s worth noting that not every car comes with an appraisal report—it depends on whether the leasing company has arranged for an independent inspection.
You can expect appraisal reports to look like this:
Part of an Arval appraisal report
Great variety of cars to choose from
Leasing companies often choose popular, reliable models, so you’ll find vehicles that are already in demand.
Below, you can see vehicles from two different ex-lease auctions on eCarsTrade. Both showcase a mix of vehicles, including city cars, family sedans, SUVs, and even light commercial vehicles like vans.
Such diverse options in one place can help you quickly stock up on in-demand models that are ready to sell.
Affordable pricing
Since ex-lease cars are returned in large numbers at the end of their contracts, they’re often sold in bulk. This lets dealers buy cars at competitive prices, often much lower than what you’d pay to buy similar cars from private sellers.
Why should car traders consider buying ex-lease vehicles over private-seller cars?
The benefits of buying previously leased cars that we’ve seen point us to the conclusion that they are a solid choice for dealerships looking for quality and reliability.
However, there are some drawbacks worth mentioning.
- Some buyers might worry that ex-lease cars from corporate fleets were used more heavily than privately owned vehicles.
- The selection might not always match what every dealership needs because leased cars are often standard models, which may not work well for niche or specialized dealerships.
- You can’t buy ex-lease cars directly; you need a wholesale dealer to participate in the auctions.
Still, the consistent maintenance, clear service histories, and competitive pricing of ex-lease cars outweigh these concerns for most used car dealers.
Also, we should note that leasing is becoming more and more popular across Europe, which means there will be plenty of high-quality ex-lease cars entering the used market.
A recent McKinsey report suggests that by 2030, around 50% of new car sales in Germany will likely involve lease-based options like leasing and subscription models.
Source: McKinsey & Company
So, as more ex-lease cars enter the market, dealers will have even more opportunities to stock well-maintained vehicles that appeal to a wide range of customers. It’s a win-win situation for dealers and buyers alike!
What type of cars should you offer your customers?
Stocking up on ex-lease vehicles through eCarsTrade, our online used car auction platform, gives your dealership access to reliable, in-demand models at competitive prices.
Auctions of ex-lease vehicles sold in bulk typically include a range of popular car types, so you will likely find vehicles that suit your customers’ needs. The types that currently fare well include:
- Hatchbacks: Fuel-efficient models like Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus are perfect for private customers and businesses needing practical, everyday cars.
- Sedans: Sedans like Skoda Octavia or Toyota Corolla are great for corporate fleets or employee vehicles.
- Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs): If your buyers need cargo space, you can go for LCVs like Ford Transit or Renault Trafic.
- SUVs: SUVs are becoming increasingly popular, so you’re bound to quickly sell models like Nissan Qashqai or Hyundai Tucson.
Buying from an online platform like ours simplifies the entire stocking process.
You get an overview of quality vehicles and their service histories, and you can make the purchase within the same platform. Our Account managers are there to answer any questions and help you arrange transit, so that you can quickly and easily get your vehicles delivered and ready for resale.
Sounds good? We think so, too. You’ll now see the exact steps you’ll take to buy vehicles on eCarsTrade.
Buying a previously leased car on eCarsTrade - A step-by-step process
1. Register your company
You’ll start by creating an account and filling in your company details so that you can gain full access to the auction platform.
2. Search auctions by leasing company
The most practical way to buy ex-lease vehicles is to browse by leasing company. When you visit the auctions page, you’ll find the “Source” filter, where you can search auctions by particular leasing companies.
We’ll select Arval Trading today, but you’ll find different leasing companies selling their stock depending on the auctions available at a time.
When you select the company or companies you’re interested in, you’ll get an overview of vehicles that are currently available for bidding. Then, it’s time to start browsing!
3. Check the appraisal report and service history
Once you’ve found a vehicle you’d like to add to your inventory, your next step should be to review its appraisal report and service history, if available.
Some leasing companies partner with independent inspection services like Macadam and Dekra, which provide detailed assessments of the vehicle’s condition.
If it is available, you can find their appraisal report on the right side of vehicle listings.
Also, make sure you review the service history overviews whenever they’re available.
Remember that service history and appraisal reports are not available for all cars, so carefully read the car descriptions.
4. Place your bid
When you’ve found the right car, you can proceed with placing your bid. The eCarsTrade bid calculator shows you the full price upfront, including all fees. That way, you know exactly what you’ll be paying even before bidding.
5. The leasing company confirms the bid
After you’ve placed your bid, the leasing company will check it.
Just remember, they have their own minimum price in mind, so even if you’re the highest bidder, the bid might not win if it’s below what they’re expecting. If you don’t enjoy the thrill of bidding, you can always buy cars at fixed prices.
6. If you win the car, we buy it on your behalf
Let’s say your bid has won. In that case, we’ll take care of buying the car from the leasing company for you. Once we receive your payment, you’re one step closer to having the car in your inventory!
And that’s how you can benefit from the advantages of ex-lease vehicles in just a few simple steps.
Ex-lease cars are a smart choice for car traders
Used car traders are always on the lookout for reliable, well-maintained cars with transparent histories, and ex-lease cars offer all of that. They also offer variety in terms of vehicle types, so you can get everything from sedans to LCVs at competitive prices.
Essentially, stocking up on these in-demand cars is a hassle-free way to grow your inventory. If you’re ready to get started, you should check out our currently active auctions on eCarsTrade!
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