Can You Modify A Leased Vehicle?

So, you leased an automobile and it's been great so far. That's not surprising, as leasing offers some advantages, such as lower payments in most cases. Furthermore, electric SUVs are shockingly cheap to lease right now. However, after that new-car smell and the initial excitement wear off, you may decide that you want to change something or add some extra features to better suit your taste. But wait, you don't actually own this car — the lender does. And often, the contract stipulates that the vehicle must be returned in the same state you received it. So, you can't modify a leased vehicle, right? Actually, you may be able to perform some reversible modifications, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

You'll need to double check with your lender to verify, but certain upgrades are possible, as long as they're reversable. You see, while you may be able to personalize your ride with things likes different tires, a vinyl wrap, or even window tint, you'll need to return it in its original state. Otherwise, you'll incur more charges when you go to return the car at the end of the lease period.

Depending on the terms outlined in the lease, it is possible that the fine print does permit some OEM enhancements, like a beefed up factory suspension for a Wrangler. At the end of the day, though, you have to think about it from the perspective of a car dealer who needs to put this vehicle back into inventory and make it an attractive option for the next car shopper.

You have several options when the end of your contract nears — you can give the car back, you can buy it, you can work out an extended contract with the same car, or you can lease a new one. A lease buyout is when you decide to keep the car and pay off the remaining amount owed to the lender. Although, you should take these steps before you decide to buy out your lease, as you have more options than you may think.

Fortunately, in terms of modifications, if you plan to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease, you won't suffer any penalties as a result. If, however, you decide to return the car or extend the lease after you've made major unauthorized alterations, you'll be hit with all sorts of charges.

If you're not sure whether you'll do a lease buyout at the end of the term, you might want to consider holding off on making any major changes. It might be tempting, but even tapping into the car's wiring to run more powerful audio components is ill-advised. You can, however, add accessories to the car like seat covers, custom floor mats, or smartphone mounts (as long as they're removeable).