Can You Lease a Car for Six Months?

• Six-month leases put you behind the wheel of newer cars faster but come with various caveats. 
• Dealerships rarely advertise six-month leases because most lessees prefer to spread out their payments over several years to reduce their monthly outlay. 
• Lease takeovers represent a popular alternative to traditional leasing, but lessees should be cautious of potential lease-end penalties they assume when taking over a lease. 
• FINN car subscriptions offer a convenient and flexible alternative to leasing, with subscription terms as short as six months readily available.

A lease typically lasts anywhere from two to three years. Most automotive manufacturer commercials advertise a three-year, 36,000-mile lease designed with the best money factor and lowest monthly payments in mind. Not all lessees will qualify for these terms. 

Yes, you can lease a car for six months. A typical short-term car lease lasts less than 24 months, so six-month leases are often referred to as “mini leases.” Finding a six-month lease takes some research, but your best bet is to approach a luxury dealer specifically for this type of lease. A stellar credit score, favorable debt-to-income ratio, and sizable down payment can also improve your candidacy for a six-month lease. 

When you subscribe to a car with FINN, you don’t have to worry about meeting high credit and salary expectations. Instead, you can prequalify to see if you’re eligible. Subscribers with a lower credit score simply pay a security deposit but have an equal opportunity to pick a car they want to drive for the next six months. FINN also includes insurance, maintenance, registration, and depreciation in a single monthly payment, so all you have to cover is fuel. 

In theory, the shortest term for a car lease extends to the point where you terminate the lease contract early. For example, you could lease a car and one week or month later terminate the lease. However, this practice is neither cost-effective nor practical. Most of the best car lease deals incorporate terms of at least one year if not two or three. 

You can find six-month car leases where you find traditional leases—at dealerships and through online lease takeover marketplaces. Both sources typically require you to qualify for a six-month car lease like a conventional lease. If you want to avoid the hassles of leasing altogether, check out a FINN car subscription instead. 

FINN car subscription

FINN offers straightforward subscription terms, with a singular monthly payment incorporating registration, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. Easy on budgets and lacking a down payment, FINN car subscriptions connect you with a car you want to drive for six or 12 months. Once you pick your subscription car, you can have it delivered straight to your door for the ultimate convenience. 

Dealership

It’s uncommon for dealerships to advertise six-month car leases, but they are available upon request. Availability often depends on your location and the dealership’s inventory. Some dealers may restrict which vehicles they allow six-month leases on. Though short leases can help them quickly make money and return that vehicle to inventory, popular vehicles may be more profitable by staying on the lot as used cars.  

Online lease marketplace 

LeaseTrader and SwapALease connect current lessees with prospective lessees looking to take over the remainder of a car lease. This arrangement helps current lessees avoid early termination fees, and those who assume the lease get to drive a car for a short period without coughing up the costs associated with lease generation. It’s a win-win scenario that has worked for hundreds of lessees. 

If you want to lease a car for six months (give or take), you can find a potential lease on one of these online lease marketplaces. You must pass the eligibility requirements to start the lease. In addition, you may be responsible for any lease-end penalties that apply. It pays to read the fine print if you plan on assuming a lease through an online lease marketplace. 

Before you approach a dealership or log into an online lease marketplace, consider the following tips that can help you decide if a six-month lease is right for you: 

• With such short terms, your lease money factor may not play as critical a role as it would in a longer lease. In the long run, money factors of 0.0035 (8.4%) and 0.0025 (6%) only make a few hundred dollars difference. 
• Leasing for only six months can quickly put you back at square one, where you must decide between leasing, financing, or buying a car outright. However, six-month car leases can help you test-drive vehicles for an extended period before you make a final commitment. 
• Dealerships tend to offer the best lease deals on longer leases. Longer terms allow lessees to spread out depreciation, whereas six-month leases carry the bulk of the burden of depreciation.  
• Evaluate your current financial status, future goals, and transportation needs. How much can you spend on a car in the next few months to a year? Do you want to stick with the same car for a year or more? Asking yourself these questions can help you align your goals with the available options.
• Managing miles on a six-month lease can challenge you or be of no consequence. It all depends on how much you drive, how many miles are left, and how you manage your driving. 

Take these considerations into account before you sign on the dotted line. Read on to learn more about the advantages of leasing for six months and how a long-term car rental could help you make ends meet instead. 

Benefits of a six-month lease 

Six-month leases come with the existing benefits of traditional leasing, including lower monthly payments, access to newer cars, and avoiding the majority of costly maintenance fees. In addition, short-term leases can help almost anyone bridge the gap between current and expected circumstances. For example, parents may help their college student lease a car for six months, employees may temporarily need transportation while in another state, or prospective buyers may want to test the practicality of a car before pursuing financing. 

Long-term car rentals

With so many car lease fees to avoid, renting a car for an extended period could be a viable alternative. Most car rental companies consider renting a car beyond 14 days as a long-term rental. Renting a car doesn’t require a credit check, and you’re not locked into mileage restrictions or harsh timeframes if you want to extend your rental a few extra days.  

However, most rental car companies charge an additional fee for drivers younger than 25. Vehicle selection also suffers a bit, especially if you’re looking for vehicles with higher trim levels. Depending on how long you rent, your transportation costs can meet or exceed the cost of leasing for around six months.