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What are my rights when I lease a vehicle?

Last Updated: October 08, 2009

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With a car lease, you have the right to:

* Use the car for an agreed-upon number of months and miles;

* Turn the car in at the end of the lease, pay any end-of-lease fees and charges, and "walk away" (with a closed-end or "walkaway" lease);

* Buy the vehicle if you have a purchase option; and

* Take advantage of any warranties, recalls, or other services that apply to the vehicle during the time that you are driving it.

Note that with an open-ended lease, you will be required to pay any difference between the projected residual value of the car at the end of the lease and its actual market value. Most car leases are closed-end leases, however.

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