Short-term car lease:
Car lease month-to-month
What is a short-term car lease?
What is a lease?
A lease lets you pay for only part of your car's value. During the lease period, the leasing company retains ownership of the car — unlike buying, where you own the vehicle. At the end of the lease, you may need to cover the remaining value of the car, known as the residual value. A higher residual value results in lower monthly payments during the leasing term.
How expensive is leasing?
The cost of your lease depends on the car model you choose and any additional fees you may need to cover, such as acquisition fees. This total cost is then adjusted by applying dealer rebates, promotions, and possibly the trade-in value of your current vehicle. This adjusted amount forms the basis of your monthly payment, which also includes the car’s depreciation and finance charges.
When is leasing short-term?
A typical leasing period lasts three years. Short-term leasing usually refers to a leasing period of less than 24 months. If you need a car for an even shorter period, a car subscription might be the right choice. With SIXT+, the maximum contract period is 90 days. Should you require a car for a longer duration, you can simply select a different model and start a new agreement.
Pros and cons of short-term car lease
Pros
- Short-term car leasing meets the needs of employees, commuters, or students who require a car for only a few months.
- Short-term auto leases involve less financial commitment, as you only pay for the few months you actually need the vehicle.
- Leasing a car for a few months allows you to try out the newest models or test-drive a car you might want to buy in the future.
Cons
- Calculating the miles you'll need to drive is important since short-term leases usually come with a mileage limit. You may have to pay a penalty if you exceed this limit.
- The rates for short-term leases are typically higher than those for regular leasing periods. Dealerships also offer fewer rebates and incentives.
- If you decide to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease term, the purchase fee will likely be higher since you've only paid off a fraction of the car's value.
Eliminate the drawbacks of short-term auto lease with a subscription
- No need to worry about mileage limits: With a car subscription, basic mileage is included at no extra cost. The SIXT+ subscription allows you to adjust your mileage monthly to fit your needs.
- Avoid high leasing costs: Enjoy transparent and affordable subscription fees. Simply choose the car category that suits your budget, and upgrade or downgrade as needed.
- Bridge the gap to vehicle ownership: If your long-term goal is to own a car, a subscription offers a practical solution until your vehicle is ready. This provides greater flexibility compared to being tied to a short-term lease purchase.
More flexibility with the SIXT+ car subscription
SIXT+ offers a convenient alternative to short-term car leasing, ideal for drivers who need a vehicle for a limited time. Whether you need a car for 1, 2 or 3 months, you can choose your preferred model in just a few minutes. Pick it up at a SIXT station and drive your dream car for a fixed monthly fee. The car subscription can be cancelled at any time, with a minimum commitment of just one month. Maintenance, wear & tear and other costs are all included in the subscription.
SIXT+ OFFERS THESE ADVANTAGES OVER SHORT-TERM CAR LEASE
Month-to-month lease
A short-term leasing contract typically lasts between 6 months to a year. The SIXT+ car subscription has a minimum term of just one month. After each month, the subscription extends by 30 days. The maximum leasing period is 90 days. Afterwards the contract ends automatically. You can return the vehicle at any time without additional charges or fees. This offers you greater flexibility, allowing you to pay only for the months you truly need the car.
100% cost control
With short-term leasing, you are responsible for paying vehicle taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs on top of the leasing price. This can make the overall costs higher than anticipated. In contrast, with a car subscription, you only pay a fixed monthly fee and cover the cost of fuel. You can adjust the fee by adding or removing extras such as additional mileage or protection packages.
Quick booking
With short-term auto leasing, you might experience a longer wait time before your new car is ready. With the SIXT+ car subscription, you can select your preferred vehicle category, pick-up date, and location online. The minimum advance booking time is just 24 hours. If your needs change, you can easily adjust your subscription through the app and even choose a different car.
SHORT-TERM CAR LEASE OR CAR SUBSCRIPTION?
This comparison of short-term leasing and car subscriptions helps you determine the best option for your needs without committing to a long-term purchase.
SIXT+ car subscription | Short-term car lease | |
|---|---|---|
Attractive monthly rate | Attractive monthly rate ✔ | Attractive monthly rate ✔ |
Wear parts included | Wear parts included ✔ | Wear parts included X |
Maintenance costs included | Maintenance costs included ✔ | Maintenance costs included X |
Non-Damage Repairs | Non-Damage Repairs ✔ | Non-Damage Repairs X |
Motor vehicle tax included | Motor vehicle tax included ✔ | Motor vehicle tax included X |
1 month notice period | 1 month notice period ✔ | 1 month notice period X |
Smart alternative to commercial leasing: car subscription for business customers
Flexible terms of up to 12 months, no capital commitment, full cost control thanks to the all-inclusive price - the car subscription is the ideal alternative to commercial leasing and brings maximum flexibility to your fleet. For business customers, we offer exclusive corporate rates, personalized mobility consultation and additional services such as reliable support and our fleet management tool. Register online in just a few steps and receive a non-binding, tailored quote for your company.
Frequently asked questions about short-term vehicle lease
What does short-term car lease mean?
The difference between leasing and short-term leasing is the duration of the contract. Leasing contracts usually have a term of two years, anything below that is considered short-term leasing. If short-term leasing is offered at all, the minimum term is usually a full year.
What types of short-term leasing are there?
The difference between leasing a car and short-term leasing is the duration of the contract. Leasing contracts usually have a term of two years, anything below that is considered short-term leasing. If short-term leasing is offered at all, the minimum term is usually a full year.
How long is the shortest leasing period for a SIXT+ car subscription?
The SIXT+ car subscription is much more flexible than short-term leasing, which benefits customers. For example, there is a minimum term of 30 days for the SIXT+ car subscription. At the end of each month, the SIXT+ car subscription is only extended by 30 additional days. Cancellation before the end of the month is possible at any time and does not cost you anything extra.
Short-term leasing contracts usually have a term of at least one year. If you are looking for more flexibility for your fleet, a car subscription is the ideal alternative. Choose terms from 1 month (up to 12 months) with a monthly termination option. This way you avoid a high capital commitment and fixed contract terms as would be the case with commercial leasing. The car subscription allows you to flexibilize your fleet and the monthly fixed rate ensures full cost control. Find out more about the car subscription for your business
In the case of short-term leasing, the contract holder is usually also the driver. Additional drivers must be contractually agreed upon. Depending on the car model, there are different regulations regarding the minimum age and driving licence requirements. With the SIXT+ subscription, you can easily add additional drivers through the app. The minimum age is 21. At this age you will need to have held a valid licence for at least one year.
The costs of short-term leasing are much more difficult to plan than with the SIXT+ car subscription, where you simply book the vehicle at a fixed monthly price, which already includes most costs. With short-term leasing, there are various cost factors that vary greatly depending on the provider and contract. In addition to the monthly leasing instalments, you will have to pay for a special leasing payment at the beginning and pay various additional costs (e.g. vehicle tax, insurance, maintenance, etc.).
Flexible term can be cancelled at any time, a large selection of vehicles, immediate availability without long waiting times and at a fixed monthly price – these are the advantages of the SIXT+ car subscription compared to short-term leasing. In addition, with a car subscription, the costs can be optimally planned, as additional costs are included in the monthly fixed price.
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