Understanding the Factors Behind Increased Lease Costs for Some Vehicles

If you've recently been exploring car leasing options, you may have noticed that lease costs have increased for many vehicles just like so many other costs have risen during the cost of living crisis.

This is especially apparent for those people coming off a 3-4 year old lease deal written in 2018 or 2019 and can lead to a shocked response!

These increases can be attributed to various factors such as list price increases, interest rate hikes, and reduced discounts. In this blog post, we will delve into these factors to help you understand why lease costs have risen and what it means for consumers.

List Price Increases

One of the primary reasons behind the increased lease costs is the rise in the list prices of vehicles. Automakers periodically adjust their prices based on factors such as inflation, production costs, and market demand. When the list price of a vehicle goes up, it directly impacts the leasing costs as lease payments are based on the vehicle's value depreciation over the lease term.

List price increases can be attributed to several factors, including the introduction of new features and technologies, changes in the cost of raw materials, and improvements in vehicle performance. 

These upgrades and enhancements come at a cost, and the burden is often passed on to the consumer in the form of higher lease payments.

Vehicles are built and priced often using US $ rates so any deterioration in the GB £ v $ can also increase list prices as we saw in 2022.

Interest Rate Increases

Interest rates also play a significant role in determining lease costs. When interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing money increases for leasing companies. As a result, they pass on this additional cost to consumers in the form of higher lease rates.

Interest rates are influenced by various factors, including the state of the economy, inflation rates, and the monetary policies adopted by central banks. In recent times, some regions have seen interest rate hikes due to efforts to control inflation or stimulate economic growth. These increases in interest rates have a direct impact on lease costs, making them higher for consumers.

UK interest rates have increased 14 times over the past 2 years so levels not seen in decades, this is adding tens or hundreds of pounds to your lease rate.

Reduced Discounts

Another factor contributing to increased lease costs is the reduction in discounts offered by vehicle manufacturers. Discounts are incentives offered by manufacturers to entice consumers and promote sales and are the go to measure when manufacturers have stock to shift however thats not been the case for the last 2 years as stock levels reduced so discounting wasn't as necessary.

However, in response to various market conditions and financial pressures, automakers may choose to reduce or eliminate these discounts. When discounts are reduced, the base price of the vehicle remains higher, resulting in higher lease costs. For consumers who rely on these discounts to make leasing more affordable, the reduction can have a noticeable impact on their monthly payments.

Variations in Manufacturer Strategy

Each manufacturer deals with these issues in their own way, tesla for instance rarely offer any discount but have spent the last 2 years raising and decreasing the list price of the models to get the same outcome whereas Mercedes have decided to severely restrict sales into the leasing market preferring a direct dealer relationship model instead.

Understanding the Impact

The culmination of list price increases, interest rate hikes, and reduced discounts has led to increased lease costs for almost all vehicles. Consumers need to be aware of these factors and understand their influence on the overall affordability of a lease.

Additionally, staying informed about market trends and keeping an eye on new offers and discounts can help mitigate the impact of these factors on lease costs.

Conclusion

As the UK and Global automotive industry evolves and market conditions change, lease costs for certain vehicles can increase due to a combination of list price increases, interest rate hikes, and reduced discounts. These factors directly impact the affordability of leasing, requiring consumers to be vigilant and informed when considering leasing options.

By understanding these factors, evaluating lease terms, and exploring alternative choices, consumers can make informed decisions that align with their budget and needs. It's crucial to work closely with reputable leasing companies and stay up-to-date with market trends to secure the most favourable lease terms and minimize the impact of rising costs and its important to note there are still great deals around!

Why should you choose LetsTalk Leasing for cheap car leasing?

Here at Let’sTalk Leasing, we are proud to be one of the top cheap car leasing companies in the UK. We offer leasing deals for any requirements and budget. Search over 12,000 cheap car leasing deals on our website or speak to one of our friendly advisers by calling us on 0330 056 3331