Private leasing increased by around 20 percent during the first eight months of the year, according to the Swedish National Association of Motor Vehicle Owners, which processed statistics from the vehicle analysis company Vroom.
Private car leasing means that you as a customer commit to a rental agreement, usually for 36 months, at a fixed monthly cost. The cost is adjusted depending on options and additional services.
Mileage and wear
The private leasing agreement includes an agreed maximum mileage limit. If the distance driven is longer when the car is returned after the agreement has ended, an additional cost will be charged, often between 12 and 18 SEK per mile.
In most agreements, however, the lessee does not receive a deduction for the cost if they have not driven all the miles agreed upon in the agreement. And the possibility of trying to include such a clause in an existing agreement is not great, believes Carl-Erik Stjernvall, technical expert at M.
It is the bank or creditor that has drawn up the agreements and it is not something that can be adjusted individually, in my opinion. Without it being a bit "take it or leave it".
The leasing cost also includes "normal wear and tear" of the car during the contract period.
And what is considered normal wear and tear is something that can make private leasing not as predictable and worry-free as you might think and can cost extra money when the car is returned.
"This is precisely what many people find with normal wear and tear, which puts them at a major disadvantage when returning the car," says Carl-Erik Stjernvall.
Link warning
When you sign the contract, it should include information about what is considered normal wear and tear. It is best if there is a guide and visual material included in the contract.
It is not good if the contract states that you should follow a link to a website where there is information about wear and tear, because the content on such a page can change at any time.
Carl-Erik Stjernvall also urges you to pay attention to what equipment is included in the leasing price. Various common options, such as a towbar or winter wheels, can cause the monthly cost to increase significantly.
When it comes to winter wheels, there can be a surcharge of 500-600 kronor per month. So after three years you will have paid around 20,000. So it may be worth looking for an offer that includes winter wheels, advises Stjernvall.
1. The contract often runs for three years. These are usually not breakable. If the contract can be broken, a fee is added that is so high that it is not a reasonable alternative. However, the contract can be transferred to someone else.
2. A maximum mileage is specified in the agreement, often 1,000 or 1,500 kilometers per year. Often there is an additional cost for "excess miles", often between 12 and 18 kronor per kilometer.
3. Accessories cost extra. Winter tires, engine heaters or towbars can cost a disproportionate amount per month. It is often cheaper to buy your own winter tires and sell them after the rental period.
Source: National Federation of M
