When it comes time to return your BMW lease, you’ll need to schedule a vehicle pre-inspection, make any necessary repairs, and make an appointment to hand over your keys and say goodbye. But remember, there are other available options to return your BMW lease early, lease another BMW, or even purchase your current lease.

One of the big positives to leasing a car—and also one of the reasons why it has become a popular alternative to financing—is that you can drive your dream vehicle for its peak years. Once you decide you want something new, it’s easy to return. No questions asked.

While it’s not recommended to simply abandon your BMW on your lease return date, taking it back shouldn’t be difficult—and if you follow the simple return steps outlined by your BMW dealer, returning it can be a simple and hassle-free process from start to finish.

If the time to return your BMW lease is creeping up and you’re unsure what to do,

Jerry

, the trustworthy comparison tool that finds owners the best savings on

car insurance

—including

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—has created a simple guide for returning your BMW lease. Ready to get started?

How a BMW lease return works

If your BMW lease term is coming to an end, there are three options you have for any lease-end agreement:

Return the vehicle to BMW and walk away

Return the car and lease a new BMW from the same dealer

Buy out your current lease and purchase the vehicle

If you’re considering

buying out your BMW lease

, we’ve covered it in detail already, so in this article, we’ll focus on the first two options.

If you want to return your leased BMW and walk away

Let’s begin with Option #1—the most straightforward of the three options. If you’re planning to return your BMW at the lease end, the timeframe to start this return begins as early as 90 days before your BMW lease termination date. Here’s a timeline of what to expect:

90 days out

Check your email for a BMW Lease End Mailer around 90 days before your lease termination date. This outlines your options for ending your lease, leasing a new vehicle, or buying your current vehicle. BMW Financial Services and BMW Center may also call you directly.

One month out

BMW Financial Services will contact you when it is time to schedule your vehicle’s

pre-return inspection

. Most inspections can be done at a BMW Center, but if you’d like to schedule your own ahead of time, contact your preferred BMW Center or a local BMW representative at (800) 959-4269.

View the inspection results

Once the inspection is complete, log on to

My BMW

to access your Vehicle Return Estimate. You’ll find a summary of estimated charges that may be outstanding, including recommended repairs, remaining payments, and more. If repairs are required on your BMW, visit your local BMW Center for a quote. Repairs at the dealership using only original BMW parts can help you avoid unexpected delays or additional charges.

One week out

Contact your original BMW dealer where the lease contract originated to schedule a final inspection and vehicle return appointment. You may be able to return your vehicle to another dealership, but contact them to confirm they can accept it.

On the day of your BMW lease return appointment

Bring the vehicle to the BMW dealership with all of the original equipment (keys, Owner’s Manual, maintenance records, repair receipts, vehicle inspection report, etc.). At the return appointment, you’ll be required to sign a Federal Odometer Statement serving as confirmation of your lease return.

After the return

Once you’ve returned your BMW, you can view any outstanding balances or refunds in process by accessing a copy of your Vehicle Return Statement through the

My BMW

portal. You will also receive a mailed copy two to three weeks after your vehicle is returned.

If you choose to return your

BMW lease

without leasing a new BMW, there are specific fees you’ll be responsible for. These include:

Disposition fee

Outstanding services

Wear and tear

Excess mileage

While you may be liable for a few payments upon returning your leased vehicle, there are no future obligations to BMW. Whether you’re keen on getting behind the wheel of another vehicle brand or are cashing in your car for the cyclist lifestyle, this is the most straightforward approach to your BMW lease return.

MORE:

How to calculate a car lease payment

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If you want to lease a new BMW

Whether you’re looking to upsize to one of BMW’s awesome SUVs or keep it fast in one of the M series, getting ready for your next BMW lease is easy. The process of leasing a new BMW is similar to the process we just outlined for returning your vehicle and walking away. However, you can start shopping around for your perfect new BMW a few months before your lease termination date.

Even if you're planning to lease another BMW, you’ll still need to schedule a vehicle pre-inspection with your BMW Center, conduct any necessary repairs, and make a return appointment. When you schedule your pre-inspection 90 days before your lease termination, ask about BMW’s loyalty benefits. They offer an Unused Mileage Loyalty Credit for drivers who return their BMW with fewer miles than the contract. And, if you choose to lease another BMW, they’ll waive the disposition fee.

There are loads of benefits and savings linked to leasing a BMW, and there is potential that they could even waive outstanding fees if you choose to lease another vehicle. Because every driver comes from a different situation, get in touch with BMW Financial Services and see what kind of deal they can offer you for your lease return!

If you want to return a BMW lease early

Ideally, you want to wait until your lease termination date to return your leased BMW, but if circumstances have changed and you’re wondering if it’s possible to terminate your lease early, the good news is, yes, it is possible. However, ending a lease early can have some hefty consequences—but when armed with the right information, it’s easy to end your lease early and avoid heavy penalties.

Terminating a lease early comes with steep fees, and you’ll want to re-read your lease contract to determine what they are, as they may vary between dealerships. In general, early termination penalties may include:

Early termination fee

Pay all remaining lease payments until the maturity date

Fees for storage and/or transportation of the car

Negative equity between the current value of the car and your lease amount

Ending your lease early isn’t a standard option when you lease a BMW, so you’ll have to contact BMW Financial Services to negotiate an outcome. However, make sure you understand your financial obligations before calling.

If you’re not interested in paying the fees associated with returning your BMW lease early, there are a few options:

Vehicle trade-in: Call BMW Financial Services and ask them about rolling your current lease into a new lease or purchase. Some dealers will encourage early returns without penalties if you lease another vehicle from them.

Lease transfer:

Car lease swaps

are only permitted in certain states, but the lease can be transferred to an individual buyer or using a lease swap company. However, know the details of getting into a lease transfer before you bring up this option to BMW Financial Services.

Purchase your vehicle: Again, this is a non-standard option for which you’ll have to contact BMW Financial Services. However, buying out your BMW early could eliminate some of the payments associated with terminating a lease early.

MORE:

Is it better to lease or buy a car?

How to find the best BMW insurance

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BMW insurance costs

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FAQs

Can I return my BMW lease to any dealership?

Yes and no—only the BMW Center at which your lease originated can accept the return of your lease. However, alternative BMW Centers may be able to accept your returned vehicle if they have capacity.

If you’re planning to return your BMW lease to a different BMW Center than it was initially leased at, contact them directly to see if they’re willing to accept the return and discuss the details of their return process.

Can you return a BMW lease early?

If circumstances have changed and you no longer need your BMW lease, terminating your contract early is possible, but it comes with some steep costs. Contact BMW Financial Services at (800) 578-5000 to discuss your early termination options.

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