How to get money from your leased car

Returning your leased car can actually make you money, according to Bankrate.com.

Consumers who want to buy their leased vehicles at the end of the leases only have to pay the residual value, which is usually much less than if the same vehicle were purchased at a dealership, according to the article.

Consumers who don't want to buy the car at the end of the lease can benefit as well, according to Bankrate.com. Consumers who lease are entitled to additional equity, the value that exceeds the residual value in their lease. That equity can go towards any additional charges on the car for damages or penalties for being over the mileage limit or as a down payment on a car loan or another lease.

Dealers should appraise vehicles when they're returned at the end of their leases. Consumers can obtain pricing data from automotive information websites if they want to be aware of any equity before they return the vehicle, according to the article.

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