Suppose you are one of the over 4 million Americans who enjoy the benefits of driving a leased car or are looking to lease a car yourself.

In that case, it's important to understand the entire leasing process from start to finish. A bit more goes into ending a car lease than simply dropping it off at the dealership when your Subaru lease ends.

Understanding your options is paramount to a successful conclusion of your leasing contract. Here is your complete guide to ending a car lease, courtesy of AutoFair Subaru of Haverhill.

Understand Your Lease Contract

Picture this; you got a great deal on your Subaru Forester and have enjoyed all of the fantastic benefits of leasing vs. buying a car. However, you're 6 months from the end of your lease, but you aren't sure what needs to happen between now and the lease return date. So the first thing you need to do is review your Subaru lease contract and create a checklist. As you review your lease, look for things like:

• Maintenance requirements
• Possible fees you may be responsible for
• Mileage parameters
• Wear & tear provisions
• Lease terms
• Wheels
• Leasing dealership return procedures

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you keep track of things like mileage or damage. Then, when you have less than 6 months before you need to return your car, you are aware of anything that needs fixing and can avoid tacking on any additional fees or penalties upon returning your leased vehicle.

It's recommended to contact your local leasing dealership at least 3 months in advance of your final lease payment to ask:

• What location and time can I return my leased vehicle?
• Are there any possible fees you may be responsible for?
• Are there fees associated with ending my lease early?
• Are there any special offers or benefits for early lease returns?

You may also want to ask about any alternative end-of-lease options, especially if you are interested in extending your current lease, exploring the best Subaru lease deals, or are considering purchasing an off-lease car.

Examine the Car

Begin returning your leased vehicle with an examination of the car itself. Since various fees and charges can be imposed for failing to take proper care of the car, it's important to make sure that everything is as it should be and that any damage has been taken care of before ending your preferred lease. Here's what to look for during your inspection:

The Condition Of The Car

You will need to return your leased Subaru in "good" condition, with no damages, scratches, or dents. If you have any damaged areas on your car, you will need to get them fixed before returning them to avoid excessive fees from the lessor.

The Amount Of Fuel In The Tank

Try to return your leased car with about as much gas in its tank as when you got it originally since most leases stipulate that leased vehicles should be returned with a full tank (or at least not significantly more or less empty than when they were picked up).

All Original Parts And Equipment

You'll have received an inventory list from your leasing company, including all the parts that came with your leased Subaru Forester; double-check this list against what's on hand before turning the car back in and seeing if anything's missing (and if so, replace these components).

Accessories And Other Items

This means anything (included in your lease agreement) left inside or around the vehicle, such as a spare tire, snow chains, etc. Ensure they're where they are supposed to be. So you can return your car without incurring extra costs upon ending your AutoFair Subaru of Haverhill lease.

Returning Your Preferred Lease

Here is a condensed checklist to use as you prepare to return your leased vehicle:

• Take care of any maintenance & repairs you are responsible for.
• Make sure all tools, accessories, and equipment listed in your lease agreement are accounted for and in the correct place.
• Consider your end-of-lease options (off-lease car purchase, lease extension, new lease, standard lease return, etc.) and plan your next steps accordingly.
• Know what fees you can expect to pay upon ending your lease.

Once those items are taken care of and you confirm the return's date, time, and location with the original lessor, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of leasing a car for the remainder of your lease, stress-free.

Contact AutoFair Subaru of Haverhill today for the best Subaru lease deals in the greater Essex County area!

Click here to see how you can earn cash with your leased car.