Deciding whether to purchase a maintenance program when you lease a car, especially if you intend to buy it out, can be tricky. Many dealerships offer these plans, but Are Car Lease Maintenance Programs Worth It in the long run? Let’s consider a real-world scenario to find out.
Imagine you’re at the end of your BMW M4 lease with only 12,000 miles on the clock. You’re planning to buy the vehicle and the dealer presents you with several maintenance options:
- Scheduled Maintenance (+2 years, 75K miles): $2000
- Full Maintenance (+1 year, 50k miles): $3100
- Full Maintenance (+2 years, 75k miles): $4550
- Full Maintenance (+3 years, 100k miles): $6000
- Full Maintenance (+4 years, 125k miles): $7100
Given the low mileage, are these offers a good deal? The short answer, especially for drivers with low mileage, is often no. Maintenance schedules are typically based on time or mileage, whichever comes first. For someone who doesn’t drive many miles annually, time becomes the more critical factor.
Instead of mileage-based plans, consider the actual maintenance your car will likely need over the next few years. For low mileage drivers, essential maintenance is more about time-based intervals. This usually includes annual oil changes, cabin air filter replacements every few years, intake filter changes, and spark plug replacements at longer intervals.
For instance, over three years, you might only need:
- Year 1: Oil change and cabin air filter.
- Year 2: Oil change and cabin air filter.
- Year 3: Oil change, cabin air filter, intake filters, brake fluid change, and spark plugs.
Opting for services at an independent mechanic or even doing some basic maintenance yourself, like air filter changes, can significantly reduce costs compared to dealership maintenance programs. While full maintenance plans offer peace of mind, they often come at a premium that may not be justified for low-mileage drivers. Carefully evaluate your driving habits and typical maintenance needs before deciding if a car lease maintenance program is truly worth it for you.
