Is your leasing contract about to end? No need to worry! While many people feel uneasy at the thought of returning their vehicle, with the right preparation, the process can be quite straightforward. We clarify the procedure at the end of the lease and show you what really matters. This allows you to avoid additional costs and return your car without stress. And perhaps you will also discover why a car subscription can be a particularly convenient alternative next time.
What steps need to be taken to ensure the lease agreement is properly concluded at the end?
First of all: timing is everything. A smooth handover doesn't start on the day of return, but about three months before the actual end of the lease, when you contact your lease provider and do a thorough inspection of your car.
To ensure that the end of the lease runs smoothly, you should follow these steps:
1. Secure an appointment and request a damage catalogue
Contact the garage or leasing company well in advance (approx. 8–12 weeks beforehand) to arrange a return date.
Tip: Ask for a list of damages at the very beginning so that you know from the start what counts as damage and what counts as normal wear and tear, along with how much you can expect to pay.
2. Keep an eye on the kilometres
Check where you stand in advance. Are you above or below your contractually agreed kilometres? Extra kilometres can become quite cost-intensive when the leasing contract ends. If you have driven significantly less: Important to know: Less kilometres are not always reimbursed. In many cases, a refund is only given up to a certain limit – often a maximum of around 2,000 kilometres. Kilometres above this limit are often not reimbursed. It is therefore worth checking the terms of your contract carefully to find out how many kilometres below the limit will actually be refunded.
The next time, you'll be able to drive more relaxed with a car subscription, as you can adjust your package of kilometres on a monthly basis.
3. Avoid maintenance backlog and MFK inspection issues
Nothing is more annoying than unnecessary fees at the end. If a service or MFK is due shortly before you return the car, you’ll usually have to get it done. If you hand the car back with an overdue service, the leasing company will often charge you the full amount at the dealer’s high prices. So it’s best to check the service booklet beforehand.
4. Proper cleaning
A clean car makes a good impression. If you have your car professionally cleaned, be sure to mention that it’s a lease return. Many detailing companies offer special packages designed specifically to improve the areas the assessor will focus on. This is often the best way to avoid additional costs.
5. Completeness and protocol
Gather together everything that belongs to the car: both keys, the sun visor, the breakdown kit, winter tyres on rims and the vehicle registration document. When you drive to return the car, the return report will be drawn up. Be sure to be present! Walk round the car with the expert and ask them to explain every detail. This is the only way to prevent them from later attributing damage to you that doesn’t actually exist.
What additional costs may arise at the end of the lease?
Of course, when it comes to leasing, additional costs are something you’d prefer to avoid as much as possible. In the majority of cases, they arise from three things: exceeding the limit of kilometres driven, unrepaired damage, missing accessories, or a backlog of maintenance (service/MFK) appointments. However, if you know where these costs come from, you’re better equipped to avoid them.
The kilometer trap: precision pays off
The biggest cost trap at the end of a lease is often the excess kilometre charge. If you’ve exceeded your agreed kilometre allowance, every kilometre is charged individually – and at 10 to 50 Rappen or even more per kilometre, this can quickly run into thousands for a longer holiday trip.
Tip: Keep an eye on your kilometre counter. If you notice that you are over the limit, you may want to take the train more often in the last few weeks.
Important: You won’t always be refunded for kilometres driven below the allowance. Refunds are often capped – usually at a maximum of 2,000 km. Anything over that is effectively a gift to the leasing company. With a car subscription, you have more flexibility here, as you can adjust your package monthly.
Damage vs. signs of usage: knowing the difference
When the lease agreement comes to an end, the vehicle is inspected very closely. The assessor distinguishes between ‘normal use’ and actual ‘damage’.
What’s fine: A small scratch on the door latch or tiny stone chips that are consistent with the car’s age are usually not a problem.
That'll cost you: Any big dents in the wing, tears in the seat covers or curb damage to the aluminium rims will cost you extra.
Tip: Ask your leasing company for their list of damage criteria in advance. That way, you’ll know exactly whether a dent in the door can be 2 cm or 3 cm wide before it’s considered damage. If you’ve leased the car as a used vehicle, make sure you have the handover report to hand to prove that the scratch was already there.
The underestimated risk: missing accessories and documents
It’s often the little things that end up driving up the final invoice. Everything that was in or on the car on the first day must be there again when the lease ends. If anything is missing, you’ll be charged the full retail price (!).
Pay particular attention to the following:
The key set: You must hand over both (or all three) original keys. A lost remote key easily costs between CHF 300 and CHF 600, including programming.
Charging cables for electric cars and hybrids: a major issue in Switzerland. You must return both cables: the Type 2 cable for the charging station and the emergency charging plug (UCC) for the domestic power socket. If you are missing an original charging cable, you will be charged between approximately CHF 400 and CHF 800.
Removable trailer coupling: If your car has one, the ball head and the accompanying key must be kept in the trunk. These items are often forgotten in the basement, leading to unnecessary costs when the lease ends.
Tyres & Rims: Did you take delivery of the car with summer and winter tyres? If so, both sets must be returned – fitted to the original rims. If you’ve bought stylish rims and forgot the original ones in the basement, you’ll have to pay extra.
The ‘small items’: People often forget the sun visor, the original floor mats, the breakdown kit (compressor/spare tyre) and the vehicle tools. Even missing SD cards for the navigation system or remote controls for the auxiliary heating often end up as additional costs on the invoice.
Paperwork & emissions certificate: The service booklet and manual are mandatory. A missing service booklet significantly reduces the resale value, and you’ll be the one to cover the difference. Even though modern cars often no longer require a physical emissions certificate, Swiss garages often still ask for the yellow emissions booklet for older models or niche vehicles. If it’s missing, you’ll have to pay extra for a replacement.
Avoiding a backlog of maintenance: servicing and MFK
One cost factor that is often underestimated when a lease agreement comes to an end is the vehicle’s technical condition. Almost all lease agreements specify that the vehicle must have been serviced in full in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Scheduled servicing: If the message ‘Servicing due’ appears on the display shortly before you return the car, you should definitely have this taken care of. If you return the car with overdue servicing, the leasing company will charge you for the costs. As the fixed rates charged by authorised dealerships usually form the basis for these charges, the cost is often significantly higher than if you had arranged the service yourself in advance.
The MFK (vehicle inspection): In Switzerland, you need to check whether the MFK is due during the lease term or shortly after the lease ends. Once you receive the notification, you must take the car in for the inspection. If you return the car with an overdue MFK, the garage will usually charge a flat fee for the inspection and the necessary preparation.
Used parts: Are the brakes completely worn out or are the tyres below the legal minimum? This too can be interpreted as a lack of maintenance and lead to deductions.
Tip: Check your service booklet or the digital dashboard menu two months before your lease ends. If a service is due, get it done as soon as possible. This gives you full control over costs and ensures a clean handover report. With a car subscription, you don’t need to worry about these costs at all, as all service and maintenance costs are already included in the fixed monthly price.
What options do I have when my car lease ends?
When the lease term ends, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads: do you simply return the car, buy it, extend the contract, or look for something completely new? Here are your options when the lease ends:
The standard return
This is the standard procedure when a lease agreement comes to an end: you return the car to the garage on the agreed date. If you’ve looked after your car well and stayed within your kilometre limit, you simply hand the keys over at the counter and that’s it. Should there be any additional charges for minor dents or exceeding the kilometre limit, you simply pay the difference and then set off on your next motoring adventure with complete peace of mind.
Buying the car (takeover)
After a few years, many people have become so attached to their car that they don’t want to part with it at all. It’s often possible to take ownership at the end of the lease term. But be careful with your wallet: make sure you check the current market value. Sometimes the residual value specified in the contract is higher than what the car is actually still worth on the open market. So it’s best to do the maths twice before you decide to buy – after all, you don’t want to pay more than necessary for a used car.
Renew the contract
Still not sure which car should be next in your driveway? Or is your new dream car taking longer to arrive due to delivery delays? In that case, you can often extend your current contract. This is a great way to buy yourself some time. However, keep in mind that with every month that passes, the risk of repair costs due to vehicle wear and tear increases – and with a lease, you’ll have to cover these costs yourself.
Switching to a car subscription
After your lease has ended, if you’ve had enough of inflexible rules and complicated small print, a car subscription is the perfect match for you.
Simple: We take care of everything to do with your car – from the paperwork to the service. Once you’ve placed your order, your car will be registered, insured and handed over to you, ready to drive. With the Carvolution app, you’ll also have a clear overview at all times and all services conveniently to hand.
Flexible: You decide the duration and kilometres for your subscription. You remain flexible and can adjust your all-inclusive subscription at any time. To start with, you choose a suitable subscription period. You can easily adjust the kilometres later on via our app with minimal effort.
Cost-effective: When purchasing our vehicles, we benefit from substantial volume discounts thanks to the large number of vehicles we buy. We pass this saving directly on to our customers. What’s more, with our best-price guarantee, you’ll always pay less than the total cost of a lease. The subscription therefore offers significant savings potential.
The end of your lease is the perfect time to leave the paperwork behind and switch to maximum flexibility.
Ending a lease earlier than agreed in the contract?
Perhaps your circumstances have changed and you want to terminate the lease early. Whilst this is legally possible, it is often a financial disaster. As a car loses a significant amount of value in the early stages, but the lease payments are calculated on a straight-line basis, a ‘value gap’ arises. The leasing company will relentlessly claim this difference if you terminate the lease.
That’s exactly why the car subscription offers flexible terms. You can start your subscription for as little as 3 months and extend it at any time thereafter. This gives you the freedom to decide each month whether you want to keep driving or simply return the car. Alternatively, you can choose a long-term contract of 3 to 4 years straight away – ideal if you want planning security and intend to use your vehicle long-term. However, if you’re stuck in a lease, there’s still the option of having the lease taken over by someone else.
Conclusion: Your path to freedom
The end of the lease marks the end of a long-term commitment. If you’ve looked after your car well, you don’t need to worry about the lease coming to an end. But see this as an opportunity: do you really want to go back to the world of leasing, with all its hidden costs and lack of flexibility?
The car subscription is the modern solution for anyone who just wants to drive – no stress, no paperwork, and consistently low, transparent overall costs.
Are you ready for your next car without the hassle of leasing? Discover our range now and enjoy a new, flexible driving experience!
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