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General Questions
Can you lease a Tesla?
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Yes, Tesla offers leasing on all models: Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. Leases are available through Tesla Financial Services in the US.
How does Tesla leasing work?
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Tesla leases work like most car leases: you pay for the vehicle's depreciation plus interest (money factor) over a set term (24-48 months). At the end, you return the car. Unlike other manufacturers, Tesla does not offer a purchase option at lease end. Learn more โ
What are the current Tesla lease terms?
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Tesla offers 24, 36, and 48-month lease terms. The most common is 36 months. Mileage allowances are 10,000, 12,000, or 15,000 miles per year. See mileage guide โ
Is Tesla discontinuing leases?
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No. As of April 2026, Tesla continues to offer leases on all models. There are no current plans to discontinue leasing.
Costs & Fees
Why are Tesla leases so expensive?
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Tesla leases appear expensive because: 1) The advertised price excludes taxes and fees (adds 20-30%), 2) Money factors are higher than traditional auto loan rates, 3) Tesla doesn't fully pass through the $7,500 tax credit on leases, and 4) The no-buyout rule means you can't capture equity. Full explanation โ
What is the Tesla acquisition fee?
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The acquisition fee is a $695 charge to originate the lease. It's typically rolled into your monthly payment (about $19/month on a 36-month lease). See all fees โ
What is the Tesla disposition fee?
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The disposition fee is $395 charged at lease end for processing the return. It's waived if you lease another Tesla within 30 days. More on disposition fee โ
What is a money factor in a Tesla lease?
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A money factor is Tesla's version of an interest rate. It's a decimal (like 0.00210). Multiply by 2,400 to get the APR. Current money factors for Tier 1 credit: Model 3: 0.00210 (5.04%), Model Y: 0.00215 (5.16%), Model S: 0.00205 (4.92%), Model X: 0.00208 (4.99%), Cybertruck: 0.00220 (5.28%). Full money factor guide โ
Can you negotiate a Tesla lease?
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No, Tesla uses fixed pricing. You cannot negotiate the money factor, residual, or MSRP. However, you can save by finding demo vehicles, inventory discounts, and timing your lease at quarter-end. See saving strategies โ
Credit & Approval
What credit score is needed for a Tesla lease?
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Tesla requires 650+ for most leases, but 720+ gets you the best rates (Tier 1). Scores below 650 may require a co-signer or larger down payment. Credit score guide โ
What income do you need to lease a Tesla?
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Tesla doesn't publish a minimum income, but your monthly payment should typically be โค15-20% of your gross monthly income. For a Model 3 at $564/month, that's about $2,800-$3,800/month or $34,000-$45,000/year. Full requirements โ
Does Tesla do a hard credit pull?
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Yes. Tesla performs a hard credit inquiry when you submit a lease application. This may temporarily lower your score by a few points.
Mileage
What are the mileage limits on a Tesla lease?
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Tesla offers 10,000, 12,000, or 15,000 miles per year. Standard is 10,000. You choose your allowance at lease signing. Mileage guide โ
How much does Tesla charge for extra miles?
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$0.25 per mile over your contracted allowance. 5,000 extra miles = $1,250.
Can you buy extra miles upfront?
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Yes. You can purchase additional miles at signing, usually at a lower rate ($0.15-0.20/mile). This is cheaper than paying at lease end.
Lease End
Can you buy a Tesla at the end of the lease?
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No. Tesla leases do not include a purchase option. You must return the vehicle at lease end. This is different from every other major manufacturer. Read why โ
What happens at the end of a Tesla lease?
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You have two options: 1) Return the car and pay any excess mileage/wear plus a $395 disposition fee, or 2) Lease another Tesla within 30 days and the disposition fee is waived. More on lease end โ
Can you end a Tesla lease early?
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Yes, but it's expensive. Early termination requires paying all remaining payments plus fees. The smarter option is to transfer your lease to someone else ($595 fee). Early termination guide โ
Lease Transfers & Takeovers
Can you transfer a Tesla lease to someone else?
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Yes. Tesla allows one lease transfer per vehicle for a $595 fee. The new lessee must pass a credit check. Takeover guide โ
Can you take over someone's Tesla lease?
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Yes. You can find lease takeovers on platforms like LeaseTrader, Swapalease, and Leasehackr Marketplace. You'll pay the $595 transfer fee and need credit approval (650+ typically). Used lease guide โ
Demo & Inventory Vehicles
What is a Tesla demo vehicle?
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Demo vehicles are Teslas used for test drives or as service loaners. They have 2,000-10,000 miles and are sold at a discount (typically 10-20% off MSRP). They come with the full new car warranty. Demo vehicle guide โ
How much can you save on a demo Tesla?
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Demo vehicles are discounted 10-20% off MSRP. On a Model Y, that's $5,000-$10,000 off, which lowers your lease payment by $80-$150/month.
When is the best time to lease a Tesla?
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The last 10 days of each quarter (April, June, September, December). Q4 (December) typically has the deepest discounts as Tesla pushes to meet annual delivery targets. End-of-quarter strategy โ
By Model
How much is a Tesla Model 3 lease?
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Advertised: $449/month (RWD). True all-in: ~$564/month with $4,145 due at signing. Model 3 guide โ
How much is a Tesla Model Y lease?
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Advertised: $499/month (RWD). True all-in: ~$624/month with $4,500 due at signing. Model Y guide โ
How much is a Tesla Model S lease?
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Advertised: $1,549/month (Dual Motor). True all-in: ~$1,757/month with $7,500 due at signing. Model S guide โ
How much is a Tesla Model X lease?
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Advertised: $1,649/month (Dual Motor). True all-in: ~$1,857/month with $7,500 due at signing. Model X guide โ
How much is a Cybertruck lease?
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Advertised: $799/month (AWD). True all-in: ~$1,007/month with $7,500 due at signing. Cybertruck guide โ
Still have questions?
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