Mercedes-Benz Lease
This is your complete guide to leasing a Mercedes-Benz including everything from upfront costs to lease-end options.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- How to lease a Mercedes-Benz
- How much does a Mercedes-Benz lease cost?
- What to do when your Mercedes-Benz lease is up
- How to find affordable car insurance for a Mercedes-Benz
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
A new Mercedes-Benz can be pretty expensive, but a lease can get you behind the wheel in an affordable way. All leases have their terms and conditions, though, so you need to be aware of each option’s unique features before you sign a lease contract.
Leasing can be a great option for those looking to save money or if you just like the feeling of a new car. When you lease, you get to hit the road with a new car every few years.
However, leasing can have its downsides. It comes with more restrictions, and much like renting an apartment, you’re paying for the convenience rather than paying off the car.
To help you determine if leasing is the way to go with your new Mercedes-Benz, the
car insurance
comparison app Jerry
has assembled everything you need to know about the leasing process, costs, and what to expect at the end of your lease. Read on to find out if leasing a Mercedes-Benz is worth it for you—and how you can save on your
Mercedes-Benz insurance costs
along the way.RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
How to lease a Mercedes-Benz
Like most cars, leasing a Mercedes-Benz is fairly straightforward, but start with these tips and tricks to help you make sure you get the best deal for your dollar:
- Check your credit score. Getting approved for a lease generally requires a higher credit score than a purchase. The minimum credit score ideal for leasing a vehicle is 700.
- Calculate your budget. Whether you’re financing or leasing a car, your payment should not make up more than 15% of your gross monthly income. For example, if you make $5,000 per month, your car payment should not exceed $750.
- Calculate your down payment. Most leases, and especially those on luxury vehicles, require a specific amount of cash due at lease signing. Plan to pay at least a few thousand dollars.
- Consider how much you drive. Most leases limit the number of miles you drive each year to no more than 15,000. There are options for higher mileage drivers, so it’s essential to understand your needs and driving practices so you don’t overpay.
Once you have your finances in order, you can begin
comparing lease offers
at your local Mercedes-Benz dealership. Your lease payment will vary depending on the car’s value, so if you’re looking for style without the expense, consider leasing a
CLA-Class
. If your budget has some wiggle room, consider Mercedes-Benz’s new flagship electric vehicle, the EQS.Remember as you’re shopping that dealers work off of commission, so they’ll be trying to talk you into as many options and upgrades as possible. Having a firm budget prepared beforehand can help you keep your lease payments low.
The final step: shop for insurance
Car insurance isn’t included when you lease a vehicle, but it is required for you to drive off the lot. Most dealers require you to obtain
full coverage insurance
on your leased vehicle. Don’t worry, Jerry can help you get full coverage for a low price within minutes!Just download the Jerry app, answer a few quick questions, and Jerry will compare quotes from 50+ top insurance providers and provide you with your top options within two minutes. The best part? The average Jerry driver saves $887 a year!
How much does a Mercedes-Benz lease cost?
Leasing a Mercedes-Benz is cheaper than financing, but the exact cost of your lease will depend on several factors, including:
- The model you select
- The selling price
- Your lease term
- Your interest rate
- Add-ons you select
- Your state’s sales tax rate
Dealers often run specials, but you can generally expect your monthly payment for a 36-month lease to be somewhere between $551 for an AMG CLA 45 and $1,030 for a GLE 350 4MATIC.
This is just an estimate, and you'll need to consider that in addition to your monthly payment, you’ll also have cash due at signing. That’s going to include your down payment, acquisition fees, and other additional taxes and fees.
Let’s break down upfront costs associated with leasing a Mercedes-Benz A-class. Your monthly payment will be about $601, but your upfront costs will include:
- First month’s payment: $635
- Down payment: $1,635
- Security deposit: $0
- Acquisition fee: $795
That means you’ll have $3,065 due at signing, and that’s without sales tax, add-on features, and other factors that could increase that amount and your monthly payment.
You might think you can save the money due at signing by going with the CLA class, but you’ll have at least $3,971 to pay before you can drive away with one of those. When you lease, it’s about more than just the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)—you have to consider all the required lease fees and options as well.
Services included in a Mercedes-Benz lease
Like many manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz leases do not cover routine maintenance costs during your lease terms—but they do offer you the option to purchase a
prepaid maintenance plan
. If you choose the prepaid plan, you’ll get the following once per year or every 10,000 miles:
- Oil change
- Filter replacement
- Fluid check
- Multi-point inspection
- Additional services depending on your vehicle’s model and age
If you choose not to purchase a prepaid plan, you are responsible for keeping up with vehicle maintenance and repairs throughout your lease.
In addition to maintenance plans, Mercedes-Benz also offers customers optional Lease Protection, which waives penalties for excess wear and tear at the end of your lease up to $7,500. This optional perk gives you reassurance knowing that you’re covered—even if you get the occasional door-ding.
Key Takeaway Monthly payments on your Mercedes-Benz lease can range from $551 to $1,030, but you’ll have to cover more upfront costs at your lease signing.
What to do when your Mercedes-Benz lease is up
When your lease term ends, you’ll have the choice to either return or purchase your vehicle.
How to return a leased Mercedes-Benz
To return your leased Mercedes-Benz, all you need to do is:
- Review your inspection results and make any necessary repairs
- Detach your vehicle from yourMercedes me connect account
- Return your vehicle to your local dealer
- Receive your final lease-end statement in the mail
Even if your car is like-new when you return it, you will still have to pay a $595 disposition fee at the end of your lease. If you choose to lease or purchase a new Mercedes, you’ll receive a $500 credit to offset part of this fee.
How to purchase a leased Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz won’t blame you if you fall in love with your leased car. Instead, they’ll let you buy it outright. You can negotiate a purchase with
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
or you can work with a bank or credit union for a car loan.How to find affordable car insurance for a Mercedes-Benz
Remember, your new Mercedes-Benz lease is going to require full coverage, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Let
Jerry
, the number-one-rated car insurance
app (and the only super app for car owners), help you find the best coverage at the best price for your Benz.Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute—and to save you time, Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you're not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. You’ll get all of the savings and coverage with none of the hassles.
This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and reigns as the top insurance app in the country.
“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.Jerryhelped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
FAQs
Is Mercedes-Benz leasing worth it?
Whether leasing any vehicle is worth it depends on your finances and your priorities. If you’re looking for long-term options, financing is probably better for you. If you’re more interested in ensuring you can afford the Mercedes-Benz you want, leasing may be a great option for you.
What’s the cheapest Mercedes-Benz you can lease?
Your Mercedes-Benz lease cost will depend on several factors including price, taxes, your credit score, and the amount you have to put down. Generally speaking, though, the Benz with the cheapest monthly payment is the CLA-class, while the one with the cheapest upfront costs is the A-class.
Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month
4.7You might also be interested
