Lease vs Buy Car Calculator
Enter the finance details for buying, the lease terms and the time you will keep the car. See the net cost of each.
This is an estimate to help you plan and not advice. Running costs are only the costs that differ, for example servicing that a lease includes.
Worked examples
Four years
Buy at £22,000 with £2,000 deposit, 7.9% APR, worth £11,000 after 4 years; lease £1,800 first payment then £299 a month
Buy £14,269, lease £16,152
Buying costs £297 a month net and leasing £337.
About Lease vs Buy Car Calculator
Leasing and buying look very different on a monthly statement. A lease has a lower payment and nothing to show for it at the end. Buying has a higher payment, but you own a car that still has a value. Comparing the monthly payments alone misses this, so the fair test is the net cost over the same period: everything you spend, less what the car is worth when you sell it.
Enter the car price, deposit and finance rate for buying, the value you expect the car to have at the end, and the first payment, monthly payment and fees for the lease. If a lease includes servicing or the bought car has extra running costs, add them as monthly figures. The page shows the net cost of each and the difference, over the number of months you will keep the car.
How to use Lease vs Buy Car Calculator
- Enter the price, deposit and finance rate, and the value you expect at the end.
- Enter the lease first payment, monthly payment and any fees.
- Add any monthly running costs that differ between the two.
- Set the number of months and compare the net cost of each.
Common uses
- Deciding between a lease deal and a finance deal on the same car
- Testing how much the resale value changes the answer
- Seeing the monthly cost of each choice over the whole period
- Checking whether a lease with servicing included is better value
Sources
Last reviewed 18 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need the expected value at the end?
When you buy, the car is an asset you can sell, so its value at the end offsets what you spent. It is the biggest unknown in the comparison, so try a range of values.
Does leasing ever cost less?
Yes, especially for cars that lose value quickly, or when you do not want the risk of selling. Buying tends to win for cars that hold their value, or if you keep the car for many years.
What costs should I add to the monthly running costs?
Only costs that differ. For example, if a lease includes servicing and you would pay for it as an owner, add the servicing cost to the buying side.
Are there extra charges with a lease?
Many leases have mileage limits, charges for damage beyond fair wear and tear, and early termination fees. Add known fees in the fees box.
Does the buying side include interest?
Yes. The buying cost includes the deposit and all monthly finance payments at your rate, less the value at the end.