Not being an owner but having a vehicle at your disposal 24 hours a day, 365 (or 366) days a year in exchange for a monthly fee is an option that is increasingly valued by users. But there is a way to make that monthly payment cheaper: renting a second-hand car.
Below we review three reasons to consider this option and one to think twice. The economic one is the main advantage, especially taking into account that the latest data from the Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) indicate that the price of used cars in January has increased by more than 16% compared to 2022.
How does second-hand car leasing work?
In general terms, used car leasing works exactly the same as new vehicle leasing. In other words, once the brand and model have been selected among those offered by the rental company, a monthly fee is agreed based on the services included, the time and the maximum mileage (it can be exceeded, but extra kilometers will have to be paid). ).
The monthly payment always includes the rental of the car (the property is always maintained by the rental company), taxes (in the case of a second-hand car, the circulation one), maintenance, roadside assistance… It is also insurance is usually included and, depending on the number of kilometers, the change of tires.
Three reasons to value used car leasing
We are now going to list the main advantages of renting used cars…
All in a single monthly payment
Economic peace of mind is one of the main advantages of renting, whether it is brand new or second-hand vehicles.
As we have listed in the previous lines, whoever hires a leasing service enjoys the car as if it were their own but with the peace of mind of knowing how much they are going to pay each month for its use. The rental fee includes all expenses derived from driving; This, in the case of used vehicles, includes procedures that are not usually part of traditional leasing, such as the ITV.
For professionals and the self-employed, renting used vehicles maintains tax benefits such as deducting the monthly payment from the IRFP (as long as it can be shown that the vehicle is for professional activity).
Limited use and mileage
The difference with respect to the traditional second-hand car market is that most of the used cars offered for renting are vehicles that have first gone through traditional renting and have been returned at the end of the contract.
This assumes that they usually have limited use and mileage; at the same time that it is guaranteed that they have had a single owner and that they have passed all the revisions (something that the leasing company usually certifies since it is, as the owner, the one that is in charge of all the maintenance and repair work).
In this regard, it should be added that many leasing companies offer a mechanical certification carried out and signed by professional experts that guarantees the good general condition of the vehicle and its correct operation both mechanically and safety.
frequent change
As is the case with brand new leasing contracts, used car contracts have a duration of between two and five years. After this period, the lessee returns the car and can start a new contractual relationship with the company.
It is here where we find another of the three reasons to consider hiring used car leasing very seriously: changing a vehicle frequently allows economic access to higher and more modern equipment, which translates into greater safety and, also, ecology ( especially if you opt for an electric car or a plug-in hybrid).
And a reason to discard it
Given the advantages of renting used cars, it is time to mention the main disadvantage that is the same that can be applied to the purchase of a used vehicle; You don’t open, you don’t choose.
If you opt for a used vehicle, you will have to limit yourself to what the leasing companies offer, not only in terms of make and model; also in mechanical configuration and, above all, level of equipment, color…
As in any renting, modifications are not allowed in used ones, so if you want to customize it, it will be with an element that once the contract period has passed, you can remove it without leaving a mark.
