Is it better to lease or buy a car?
Not sure if you should buy or lease a car in Australia? Compare your options here.
Key takeaways
- Leasing a car can be cheaper in the short-term and you can upgrade the car every few years, but you won't own anything.
- Buying a car gives means you own the asset and you can sell it later if you need to. You pay more upfront but probably save in the long run.
- Before deciding between leasing or buying, factor in your total costs including fees, taxes and depreciation.
"To lease a car, or to buy a car, that is the question."
If you can't decide between buying or leasing a car, then our guide will help you.
What is the difference between leasing and buying?
The key difference between buying and leasing a car is ownership of the vehicle, but this could be a positive or negative depending on your situation.
In general, leasing will offer more flexibility and likely cost less. Buying a car will likely to be more expensive, but could give you greater stability and the benefits of ownership.
Leasing a car gives you access to a vehicle for an agreed period, which can be for personal or business use, or a combination of the two. You will generally make regular payments over the course of the lease and may have the option to buy the car, or starting leasing a new vehicle, at the end of the lease term.
Buying a car involves you purchasing a vehicle so that you own the vehicle outright. You can either make your purchase using a car loan, which can be paid off in a period of up to seven years, or by buying the vehicle using your own savings. You are then free to use the vehicle as you wish, as well as sell it.
Buying vs leasing: Pros and cons
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| Buying |
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What financing options are available for cars?
- Secured personal loan. A personal loan that is secured works by you using the car as a guarantee in order to finance it. This is less of a risk for the lender as they can sell the car should you default on the loan. These loans generally have lower rates and fees and are offered as a fixed or variable rate option.
- Unsecured personal loan. An unsecured personal loan can not only be used to finance a vehicle, but can also be used for any other purchase you wish to make. These loans are flexible but they usually come with higher fees and rates because it is a risk to the lender.
- Dealer finance. If you purchase a car from a dealership then they will most likely have a financing option they are able to offer you. It's best to do your research before you sign up as dealer financing usually comes with inflated rates and high fees. Dealer finance usually comes with a balloon payment at the end that is designed to lower your ongoing repayments.
- Novated lease. A novated lease is basically a lease agreement between you, your employer and the lease provider. Some of your lease obligations are transferred to your employer and as such your car is treated like a company car for tax purposes. This type of lease can save you money by allowing you to access benefits such as GST discounts, income tax savings and savings on the cost of running the car.
Compare your leasing and car loan options
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Frequently asked questions about leasing or buying a car
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I am contemplating of purchasing a medium size car (i.e. mazda 3 or toyota camry) outright / no loans versus leasing.
The car will mainly be used to travel to work, and occasional work purposes, site visits / meetings, etc.
So, overall annually the car will probably travel around 12,000 km.
Considering the cap servicing, petrol cost, insurance and rego; greatly appreciated if you would advise the better option between outright purchase and leasing.
Many thanks.
Hi Ari,
Thanks for your question.
It’s hard to advise on your best option as it’s really up to you. In generic sort of terms, buying a car outright will mean that you hold an asset, although that asset will be depreciating and will put a dent in the savings that you have. Taking out a lease means you will not hold an asset but you will still use of the vehicle.
It also depends what kind of leasing you are referring to – if you are buying the car for work you could consider a novated lease, where you would pay for your car out of your pre-tax income. Depending on the type of work you do a chattel mortgage could also be an option for you.
There are other factors that come into play here – the kind of car insurance you get will affect how much you spend, etc.
It may help to actually put down the numbers to find out the most cost-effective method of obtaining and maintaining your vehicle, and then decide whether owning asset matters to you.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope the information on these pages will be of some use.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I drive over 50,000 kms a year as a sales rep needing a SUV for my working needs, am I better of leasing a car over purchase as I get a car allowance for my work.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your question.
You can learn about leasing or buying a car and weigh up the pros and cons in terms of your own situation. You can also read about commercial hire purchases. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
What is the better purchase option. Novated lease or 2% finance dealer promo as a loan.
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for your question.
There’s benefits to both of those options, and the best purchase decision is going to come down to your needs and your situation. You can find out more about novated leases and you can see a comparison of lenders that offer dealership finances and car loans. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope the information on those pages can help you come to a decision.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Hi looking to buy a car soon….
Is there such a thing as a novated lease for personal use ??? So no employer involved
Hi Sas,
Thanks for your question.
A novated lease is an agreement between you, your employer and a third-party lender, so unfortunately you’re unable to take out one of these without having your employer involved. These type of leases can be for personal use, but this salary sacrifice element still means your employer will need to be aware of it and agree to it.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth