Car Lease Maintenance: Everything You Need to Know

People opt for leasing cars rather than buying them to escape the responsibilities that owning a car attracts. From carrying out repairs and maintenance, to eventually looking for a buyer at the end of the vehicle’s life cycle, there’s a lot to take care of. This is why it may surprise you that car leases also require maintenance. Since you don’t own a leased car, should maintaining it be your responsibility?

Who Maintains a Lease Car?

You will need to maintain your lease car, including servicing the vehicle regularly. High-mileage leases require even more frequent servicing because of the miles you put on the vehicle.

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Current Landscape: Car Lease Maintenance in 2025

The car leasing landscape has evolved significantly since this post was first published, with technology playing a bigger role than ever. In 2025, most leasing companies now integrate IoT-enabled vehicle diagnostics that automatically track maintenance needs and alert you via mobile apps. Electric vehicle (EV) leases have surged to nearly 30% of the market, introducing new maintenance considerations like battery health checks and specialized software updates. Subscription-based leasing models (popularized by companies like Care by Volvo) now include bundled maintenance packages as standard, shifting responsibility back to manufacturers in many cases.

Recent data from LeasePlan’s 2025 Mobility Report shows 78% of lessees now use digital platforms to schedule maintenance, up from just 42% in 2022. The rise of predictive maintenance AI can now forecast service needs with 94% accuracy according to McKinsey, helping you avoid unexpected repair costs at lease-end. However, cybersecurity has become a growing concern – a 2024 Upstream Security report revealed a 137% increase in connected car hacking attempts, making regular software updates a critical part of lease maintenance.

Enhanced Insights: The Future of Lease Maintenance

Industry experts now recommend treating lease maintenance as a “technology stewardship” responsibility rather than just mechanical upkeep. “Your 2025 leased vehicle is essentially a rolling data center,” explains automotive tech analyst Miriam Chen. “Neglecting over-the-air (OTA) updates can void warranties just like skipping oil changes used to.” Leading lessors like Ally Financial now include telematics data in lease-end inspections, assessing how well you’ve maintained both hardware and software systems.

The most forward-thinking lessees are adopting a “proactive compliance” approach. This means using your vehicle’s built-in maintenance logs (now standardized across 89% of 2025 models per SAE International) to automatically generate service reports for your lessor. Some luxury brands like BMW even offer augmented reality maintenance guides through their apps, showing you exactly how to check fluid levels or tire tread properly.

Practical Application: Your 2025 Maintenance Checklist

Here’s how to stay ahead with your leased vehicle maintenance this year: First, enable all connected services and automatic update features – this satisfies most lessors’ technology maintenance requirements. Second, use your manufacturer’s app to complete the recommended “digital walkarounds” monthly, where the app guides you through photo documentation of your vehicle’s condition. Third, for EVs, schedule battery health checks every 15,000 miles – most dealers now offer this as a free service to maintain battery warranty compliance.

When it comes to physical maintenance, the rules have changed slightly. While you still need to follow the manufacturer’s schedule, many 2025 leases now include “forgiveness” for minor wear items like wiper blades or cabin air filters. However, cybersecurity maintenance is non-negotiable – always install security patches within 14 days of notification to avoid potential lease violations. Consider using a dedicated vehicle VPN if you frequently use public charging stations.

FAQ: Your 2025 Lease Maintenance Questions Answered

Do I need to worry about software updates on a leased car?

Absolutely. As of 2025, 73% of leasing companies consider failure to install critical software updates a breach of contract. These updates often include safety improvements and emissions optimizations that affect the vehicle’s long-term value.

How has EV leasing changed maintenance responsibilities?

EV leases now typically include battery maintenance in the agreement, but you’re still responsible for tire rotations, brake checks (even with regenerative braking), and keeping charging ports clean. Most manufacturers require annual battery diagnostics.

Can I use third-party shops for lease maintenance in 2025?

While possible, it’s riskier than ever. Modern vehicles require proprietary diagnostic tools – 62% of independent shops can’t perform all required maintenance on 2024+ models according to ASE certification data. Stick to authorized service centers.

What happens if my leased car gets hacked?

Most 2025 leases include cyber protection clauses if you’ve maintained updates, but you may be liable if negligence is proven. Immediately report any suspicious activity to your lessor and follow their incident response protocol.

Are there new lease-end inspection technologies I should know about?

Yes. Many lessors now use AI-powered image analysis that detects wear at pixel-level precision. Some even analyze your driving patterns through telematics data to assess mechanical stress on components.

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Your lease agreement should cover how often you take the car for servicing and the kind of maintenance the vehicle needs. Repairs on lease cars are carried out at approved centres as stated in the contract. You must stick to these authorised dealerships because the vehicle will undergo inspection at the end of the lease.

Check your documents for an approved centre when the car needs maintenance or repairs. New vehicles come with warranties and often attract lower repair costs throughout the contract period.

If the broker finds out you haven’t abided by all the contract terms regarding repairs, you will leave yourself open to charges. This is why it is important to document all kinds of repairs and maintenance so you do not receive extra return charges at the end of the contract.

Can I Maintain a Lease Car At Home?

You can carry out basic car maintenance at home to save costs. Here is some routine maintenance you can perform at home:

• Change or top-up engine oil level/windscreen washer when necessary
• Ensure coolant and radiator are at optimal levels
• Inspect vehicle lights frequently to be sure they are in good condition
• Check windscreens for cracks
• Check tyre pressure and inflate them if necessary

You can do these simple things at home without contacting the manufacturer or your leasing company. Your maintenance package should cover more intensive servicing procedures.

What is a Maintenance Package?

Whether you lease a business or a private car, you can choose a maintenance package. Leasing or finance companies offer these packages so lessees can enjoy the vehicles without worrying about repair and maintenance costs.

The cost of the package is included in your monthly payments and takes care of the vehicle’s maintenance, which sometimes includes MOT.

How Much Does a Car Lease Maintenance Package Cost?

The price of your maintenance package depends on various factors like the vehicle’s model, lease duration, and annual mileage limit. Brokers like lease loco offer customers several options.

Vehicles with high mileage often require more expensive maintenance since the car will experience more wear and tear. Cars like Mercedes and Audi with more costly parts also attract higher maintenance packages.

What Does a Maintenance Package Cover?

As explained, you can carry out basic maintenance at home. However, your maintenance package covers other repairs. Here are some of them:

1. Replacing tyres

Your maintenance package should cover regular tyre replacements and, in some cases, punctures. Remember to carry out this replacement at an approved centre to ensure you are getting quality tyres. Read more about What are the best car wrap colours?

2. Oil top-up

Lessees sometimes feel like they can handle this part of maintenance independently. But it may be better to have this covered so you don’t have to deal with the dangers of forgetting.

3. Servicing

As part of the lease agreement, you must service the car following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your maintenance package covers this so you can meet the required standards.

4. Breakdown

Breakdown happens at the most unexpected time, but your maintenance cover ensures you get support in these situations.

5. Brake pad replacement

Managing bad brake pads can be extremely dangerous, but you wouldn’t have to do this with a maintenance package.

Common Maintenance Exclusions

Similarly, maintenance packages contain exclusions. You may not be covered for the following:

• When damages are caused by your mistakes, e.g. incorrect fuelling
• Stolen wheels or tyres
• When fraud is suspected
• Broken or missing items
• Damages that exceed normal wear and tear

Conclusion

Maintenance packages save you the stress of servicing your lease vehicle. They are worth it, especially for high-mileage leases where the vehicle may be subject to greater wear and tear and increased risk of damage compared to lower-mileage vehicles.

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As we move into 2025, understanding car lease maintenance remains essential for protecting your investment and avoiding costly penalties. By staying proactive with routine servicing, keeping detailed records, and adhering to your lease agreement’s terms, you can ensure a smooth leasing experience. Remember, neglecting maintenance not only risks fees but also impacts your ability to lease future vehicles.

The automotive industry continues to evolve with advancements in electric and connected vehicles, making lease maintenance even more critical. Whether you’re driving a traditional combustion engine or the latest EV, staying informed about manufacturer requirements will save you time and money. Consider setting maintenance reminders or exploring lease-end protection plans for added peace of mind.

Have questions about your specific lease? Share them in the comments below—we’d love to help! For more expert insights on leasing and automotive trends, subscribe to our newsletter and stay ahead of the curve.

People Also Ask

What happens if I don’t perform required maintenance on my leased car?
Failing to follow maintenance schedules can result in hefty penalties at lease-end, as dealers may charge for excess wear or void warranty coverage.

Can I perform my own maintenance on a leased vehicle?
While basic upkeep like oil changes may be allowed, always check your lease agreement—some contracts require dealership servicing to maintain warranty validity.

Are tire replacements covered under a lease?
Typically, no. Lessees are responsible for replacing tires that fall below the minimum tread depth specified in the lease contract.

How often should I service an electric leased vehicle?
EVs require less frequent maintenance than gas cars, but regular brake, battery, and software checks remain crucial—follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

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