If you are over your lease mileage allowance when you return your car, you may incur additional charges and fees from the leasing company. It’s important to understand how excess mileage is typically handled in lease agreements and what to expect in such a situation:

1. **Excess Mileage Charges**: Most lease agreements specify a maximum mileage allowance for the lease term, such as 12,000, 15,000, or 18,000 miles per year. If you exceed this mileage limit when returning the leased vehicle, you will typically be charged an excess mileage fee for each mile over the limit. These fees can range from 15 to 25 cents per mile or more, depending on the terms of your lease agreement.

2. **Calculate Your Excess Mileage**: To determine the total excess mileage charges, you can calculate the number of miles you’ve driven over the allowed limit throughout the lease term. Multiply the excess miles by the per-mile fee specified in your lease agreement to estimate the additional charges.

3. **Final Lease Inspection**: When you return your leased vehicle, the leasing company will conduct a lease-end inspection. During this inspection, they will assess the overall condition of the vehicle, including checking for excess wear and tear and documenting the mileage.

4. **Invoice for Excess Mileage**: After the inspection, the leasing company will send you an invoice for any excess mileage charges, along with any other applicable fees, such as excess wear and tear or disposition fees.

5. **Payment or Negotiation**: You will be responsible for paying the excess mileage charges within the specified timeframe. Failure to pay these charges may result in penalties or collection efforts by the leasing company.

It’s important to note that there are a few options you can consider to manage excess mileage charges:

**1. Prepay for Excess Mileage**: Some lease agreements offer the option to prepay for excess mileage at a reduced rate when you sign the lease. While this may require a larger upfront payment, it can help you avoid higher charges at the end of the lease term.

**2. Purchase the Vehicle**: If you’ve exceeded the mileage allowance but have grown attached to the vehicle and want to keep it, you can explore the option to purchase the vehicle at its residual value, as mentioned in your lease agreement. This allows you to become the owner and avoid excess mileage charges.

**3. Negotiate with the Leasing Company**: In some cases, you may be able to negotiate with the leasing company to reduce the excess mileage charges. If you plan to lease another vehicle from the same company, they may be more willing to work with you to retain your business.

**4. Consider Excess Mileage Insurance**: Some lease contracts offer excess mileage insurance as an add-on option. This insurance can help cover a portion of the excess mileage charges when you return the vehicle. However, it’s important to carefully review the terms and cost of this insurance to determine if it’s a cost-effective solution for your situation.

To avoid unexpected excess mileage charges, it’s advisable to monitor your mileage throughout the lease term and consider purchasing additional miles if you anticipate exceeding the allowance. This proactive approach can help you budget for potential charges and make informed decisions about your leased vehicle.