Private leasing attracts again – then you avoid the traps

Driving a new car without worrying about the second -hand value or unexpected repair costs – these are some of the main arguments for private leasing, according to the industry. But as interest rates rose, the leasing form quickly lost popularity.

In 2022, the notifications to the General Complaints Board, ARN, also became more and more. From being able to normally be measured in tens to then count for hundreds when the monthly cost, which consumers perceived as fixed, began to move upwards. In recent years, several cases have also been rewritten, where lessons must have received bills of tens of thousands of kronor for exceeding service intervals.

Now the industry looks A recovery for leasing and raises both benefits and is deficiencies in the system. As new cars have become increasingly expensive to buy, interest is growing again, but self -criticism is evident after previous problems.

– Consumers have become increasingly used to having more expensive things such as monthly subscriptions and both private leasing and company leasing have large shares. Those who choose private leasing are all from those who do not have room for risks to those who want to avoid costs for service and repairs, says Tommy Letzén, CEO of the Motor Industry National Association, MRF.

He believes that the reporting on private leasing has both deserved and undeserved over the years and that what has emerged about surprising bills when returning the car was mainly a problem several years ago. He further believes that the industry jointly implemented measures to make it clearer to the consumer.

– There were definitely the actors who made mistakes, which is why it is important to be transparent with the conditions. We convened the leasing companies and set an industry standard for what, for example, counts as normal and abnormal wear and has listed examples of this in a brochure, says Tommy Letzén.

But the pitfalls At the same time, many are, says a lawyer at M Sweden. He thinks you should be read when you look over whether to privately lease your car or buy. He says that the issues he receives from the union’s members apply to everything from increased monthly fees during the contract period to which wear and tear can be considered acceptable or not upon return.

– When you have leased a car in three years, some have happened and the companies can look at stone shoots or scratches and then charge high amounts for this. We also get questions from members about service intervals that have been exceeded, there can be high amounts for it as well, says Olle Haglund.

He thinks that as a car speculator you should read through the fine print and really find out the conditions before. And make a calculation about what the cost can be if you buy the car instead, if you can get together for the cash contribution of at least 20 percent.

– It is also important to keep in mind that one’s job and family situation can change for three years that you bind and that it is difficult to get out of a lease, he says.

At the same time, M Sweden hopes for clearer guidelines and protection for consumers around private leasing, from government teams.

– We call for more transparency and that fixed monthly costs are really fixed. That a better balance is created between the leasing worker and the lessor, says Olle Haglund.