End of Lease Strategies?

[Oils4AsphaultOnly]

I am at the end of my 3 years lease for a Nissan Leaf. I am interested in a lease buyout from Nissan Finance. I found a back that will be willing to finance this buyout and will work with Nissan Finance directly to get all payments and lien transfer DMV paperwork done.

However Nissan Finance insisted that California law requires that I go through dealer to get the lease buyout done. The dealer, of course, has told me that it will add a $300 purchase fee and a $495 Safety inspection and DMV/paperwork fee. Not sure if California has such a law - I have a feeling that Nissan is unnecessarily making this expensive for me.

Could you confirm if this is true for CA?

If you're in the area, Nissan of Glendale did my buyout with only the purchase fee.

A month before my lease ended, I did contact a 3rd party to help with lease buyout, and they wanted their own fees to be paid (which was more than the dealership fees!). Basically, your only choice is to shop amongst the dealerships to see which are willing to "help" you.

I was tempted to just return it and buy a used one, but it was more expensive going that route. So I bit the bullet and paid the transfer fee. The whole purchase process took almost an hour! But at least it's done now.

[blueangel78]

I am at the end of my 3 years lease for a Nissan Leaf. I am interested in a lease buyout from Nissan Finance. I found a back that will be willing to finance this buyout and will work with Nissan Finance directly to get all payments and lien transfer DMV paperwork done.

However Nissan Finance insisted that California law requires that I go through dealer to get the lease buyout done. The dealer, of course, has told me that it will add a $300 purchase fee and a $495 Safety inspection and DMV/paperwork fee. Not sure if California has such a law - I have a feeling that Nissan is unnecessarily making this expensive for me.

Could you confirm if this is true for CA?

I'm in the same position and in CA (San Jose). When I spoke to NMAC over the phone about the process, the gentleman was super nice, and confirmed that I would have to go through a dealership. He did mention that I would be responsible for the buyout amount, a $295 fee (that is in the contract), and any taxes/dmv fees. BUT he did warn me that the dealership will try to charge a 'return' or 'inspection' fee, and that's not a real fee. That you can just go to another dealership and do the return there.

I emailed my dealership last night and they are trying to ping me on a fee too:

"Your Sales Tax and DMV Fee:11% or $1,000 (Approximate. Exact amount will be computed at purchase).
Safety Check & Nissan Fee: $695
Any outstanding lease payments: $0 if you have made your last scheduled payment.
Minimum amount to drive off: $9,100 + $1,000 = $10,100."

I'd love to know any strategies to get out of the bogus fee.

[DaveinOlyWA]

I am at the end of my 3 years lease for a Nissan Leaf. I am interested in a lease buyout from Nissan Finance. I found a back that will be willing to finance this buyout and will work with Nissan Finance directly to get all payments and lien transfer DMV paperwork done.

However Nissan Finance insisted that California law requires that I go through dealer to get the lease buyout done. The dealer, of course, has told me that it will add a $300 purchase fee and a $495 Safety inspection and DMV/paperwork fee. Not sure if California has such a law - I have a feeling that Nissan is unnecessarily making this expensive for me.

Could you confirm if this is true for CA?

I'm in the same position and in CA (San Jose). When I spoke to NMAC over the phone about the process, the gentleman was super nice, and confirmed that I would have to go through a dealership. He did mention that I would be responsible for the buyout amount, a $295 fee (that is in the contract), and any taxes/dmv fees. BUT he did warn me that the dealership will try to charge a 'return' or 'inspection' fee, and that's not a real fee. That you can just go to another dealership and do the return there.

I emailed my dealership last night and they are trying to ping me on a fee too:

"Your Sales Tax and DMV Fee:11% or $1,000 (Approximate. Exact amount will be computed at purchase).
Safety Check & Nissan Fee: $695
Any outstanding lease payments: $0 if you have made your last scheduled payment.
Minimum amount to drive off: $9,100 + $1,000 = $10,100."

I'd love to know any strategies to get out of the bogus fee.

Can it be spelled out any clearer? Simply deal with someone who doesn't charge extra. First thing I would do is contact the dealer referenced above.

[Dooglas]

I am at the end of my 3 years lease for a Nissan Leaf. I am interested in a lease buyout from Nissan Finance. I found a back that will be willing to finance this buyout and will work with Nissan Finance directly to get all payments and lien transfer DMV paperwork done.

However Nissan Finance insisted that California law requires that I go through dealer to get the lease buyout done. The dealer, of course, has told me that it will add a $300 purchase fee and a $495 Safety inspection and DMV/paperwork fee. Not sure if California has such a law - I have a feeling that Nissan is unnecessarily making this expensive for me.

Could you confirm if this is true for CA?

I don't think this is specifically a CA issue. I bought my '16 S30 at end of lease. NMAC told me I had to do the buyback through a local dealer. The local dealer (in OR) charged me the purchase fee (which is stated in the lease agreement) and also charged me a document fee for processing the purchase. They did not charge an inspection fee, which they told me would only have been done if I turned the vehicle in at end of lease rather than purchasing it.

[DaveinOlyWA]

I am at the end of my 3 years lease for a Nissan Leaf. I am interested in a lease buyout from Nissan Finance. I found a back that will be willing to finance this buyout and will work with Nissan Finance directly to get all payments and lien transfer DMV paperwork done.

However Nissan Finance insisted that California law requires that I go through dealer to get the lease buyout done. The dealer, of course, has told me that it will add a $300 purchase fee and a $495 Safety inspection and DMV/paperwork fee. Not sure if California has such a law - I have a feeling that Nissan is unnecessarily making this expensive for me.

Could you confirm if this is true for CA?

I don't think this is specifically a CA issue. I bought my '16 S30 at end of lease. NMAC told me I had to do the buyback through a local dealer. The local dealer (in OR) charged me the purchase fee (which is stated in the lease agreement) and also charged me a document fee for processing the purchase. They did not charge an inspection fee, which they told me would only have been done if I turned the vehicle in at end of lease rather than purchasing it.

purchase and document fees are normal. Inspection fee is an add on by the dealership for profiteering. Don't pay it. There are dealers that will do this w/o that fee. I also suggest you go to the dealer's rating page and provide the appropriate response.

[Nubo]

"Nissan Fee". Love it.

[DaveinOlyWA]

"Nissan Fee". Love it.

Purchase fee is clearly stated in lease terms. The other fees would be location based like title transfer, etc. Everything else including inspections, etc. is dealer based and nothing but profiteering.

[Nubo]

"Nissan Fee". Love it.

Purchase fee is clearly stated in lease terms. The other fees would be location based like title transfer, etc. Everything else including inspections, etc. is dealer based and nothing but profiteering.

Agreed. Just shop around by total cost.

[shop2order]

Can I get this lease buyout done by any dealer in a US state (or in CA). Or do I have to do it at a local dealer only because I have to take my car along?

Anybody from San Francisco bay area, CA who was able to do lease buyout without the inspection fee - could you please share the name of the dealership and sales person?

[mkwilkes]

On 9/15/17, I bought an off lease 2015 Leaf S for $9325. It had 12 bars and was in perfect shape. When I got it home, I found the original lease papers deep in the glove box. The car had been returned just two weeks before (after a 3 year lease) and the end of lease purchase price was $12,892 plus an additional $300 purchase option fee. I thought it was crazy that they offered to sell the car to the original owner for $13,192, but turned around and sold it to me (two weeks later) for $9325. Ever since, I have wondered if it is better to turn in a car (at lease end), then buy it back off the lot.