Leasing Calculator
Lease or finance? From price, residual value, leasing factor, down payment and term, get the lease payment and total cost compared with a loan.
Leasing
Financing
Comparison: with financing you own the vehicle at the end, so its residual value is deducted from the payments. With leasing you return it; excess mileage, damage and any residual value settlement are not included.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between leasing and buying?
Leasing means you pay for usage over a fixed term and return the asset. Buying means you own it outright. Leasing has lower monthly payments but no ownership at the end unless you exercise a purchase option.
Is leasing tax-deductible for businesses?
Yes, lease payments are fully deductible as operating expenses for businesses. This can be more advantageous than depreciation of a purchased asset, particularly for vehicles and equipment.
Are my entered amounts stored anywhere?
No. All calculations happen exclusively in your browser. Your inputs are never sent to our server or stored. You can safely enter sensitive financial data.
Guide
What is the Leasing Calculator?
The leasing calculator computes the monthly leasing instalment and total cost of a leasing contract for vehicles or other assets.
How does the Leasing Calculator work?
Enter the gross list price, initial payment, leasing period, residual value, leasing factor and the interest rate of a loan. The leasing instalment is list price × leasing factor / 100, the total cost is all instalments plus the initial payment. When comparing with financing, the calculator deducts the residual value from the loan payments, because you own the vehicle afterwards.
Key Data and Facts
Typical terms: 24-48 months. Leasing factor: monthly instalment / gross list price * 100 (good value: below 1.0). A special payment reduces the monthly instalment; offers only become comparable through the total cost factor: (instalment + special payment / term) / gross list price * 100.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate leasing costs step by step: 1. Enter the gross list price of the vehicle or asset. 2. State the special payment (down payment): it reduces the monthly instalment but increases the upfront costs. 3. Choose the leasing term: commonly 24, 36 or 48 months. 4. Set the residual value: the estimated value at the end of the leasing period (with residual-value leasing). 5. Calculate the leasing instalment: simplified: (purchase price - residual value - down payment) / term + interest costs. 6. Check the leasing factor: monthly instalment / gross list price x 100. A good value: below 1.0. 7. Compare the total costs: leasing instalments + down payment vs. buying with a loan, minus the residual value when buying, because the vehicle is yours. Example: a new car, gross list price 35,000 EUR. Special payment 3,000 EUR. Term 36 months. Residual value 18,000 EUR. Leasing instalment: approx. 430 EUR/month. Leasing factor: 430 / 35,000 x 100 = 1.23. Total costs: 3,000 + (430 x 36) = 18,480 EUR. Depreciation when buying in cash over 3 years: 35,000 - 18,000 = 17,000 EUR. Compared with a cash purchase, leasing is approx. 1,480 EUR more expensive here, but offers planning certainty. With a loan of 32,000 EUR at 4.5 % (36 months, instalment 951.90 EUR), buying costs 3,000 + 34,268 − 18,000 = 19,268 EUR instead, so leasing is approx. 790 EUR cheaper.
Calculation Example
New car 35,000 EUR, down payment 3,000 EUR, 36 months, residual value 18,000 EUR. Leasing rate: 430 EUR/month. Leasing factor: 1.23. Total leasing costs: 18,480 EUR, total cost factor 1.47. Buying with a loan (4.5 %, 36 months) after deducting the residual value: 19,268 EUR.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Deutsche Bundesbank
- Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
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