Rent to own a car is an attractive option for those who don’t have the necessary cash to purchase one outright. As the name suggests, it lets you rent a car and pay off the rental cost over time — with the promise that you can eventually own it. But before signing up, make sure you understand all of the associated pros and cons.
What Is Rent-to-Own Cars?
Rent-to-own cars, also known as lease-purchase agreements, are contracts that allow you to lease a car for a set period of time (typically 1-3 years) and then take ownership once the contract term is complete. During this period of rental, you typically make a small up-front payment (often called a “deposit”), followed by agreed-upon monthly payments until all costs are covered. At the end of your agreement, you will own the car outright.
Benefits of Rent to Own a Car.
Renting to own a car can be beneficial in some cases, such as when you don’t have the means or credit score to secure a loan. Additionally, rent-to-own agreements often have lower monthly payments than traditional loans and you can write off the rental amount as an expense for tax savings. If you are registered for VAT, you can also write off the VAT to reduce your tax liability. Another advantage is that these leases often come with certain additional benefits such as warranty coverage, roadside assistance and insurance that you may not be able to afford otherwise.
Challenges With Rent to Own a Car.
Rent to own cars can come with some significant risks and challenges. For starters, you’ll be locked into a lengthy contract that can last up to 36 months, which means you won’t have the flexibility to trade in or upgrade your car for another one until then. However, our rent-to-own a car model enables you to return the vehicle at any time if your circumstances change and you can no longer afford the repayments.
Additionally, the fine print is often loaded with hidden fees, including extra charges for late payments or early termination of the lease. This is not a concern with our rent to own a car service because the fees are presented to you before acceptance of the lease agreement and they will not change for the duration of the lease period.
Finally, rent-to-own contracts typically don’t allow customization such as tinted windows or custom rims and tires.
Costs and Terms Involved in Rent to Own a Car Deals.
The costs associated with rent-to-own car deals vary, but generally, you’ll pay more for a vehicle than if you bought it outright. This is due to the added interest rates which are often very high in rent-to-own car deals. Additionally, the terms of each contract must be carefully read and understood before signing, as different dealerships offer different features such as late payment fees or early termination fees. Be sure to seek out all the details that come along with renting to own a car before entering into an agreement.
Finding the Right Deal for You.
When searching for a rent-to-own car deal, it is important that you compare multiple options. Make sure to read the contract in full and ask any questions that may arise along the way. Additionally, research what types of maintenance or servicing fees may be included in the agreement so you know exactly how much money you will need to budget for each month.
Our rent to own cars agreement is pretty straight-forward:
- The general lease period is 60 months with the option to take ownership of the car at the end of the 60 month period
- You will need a small deposit of between R12 000 and R15 000 to put down
- You will need to be able to afford repayments in the range of R3500 to R5000 per month
- You must have a valid driver’s license which you have held for more than 5 years
- As a male, you must be over the age of 25 for insurance purposes
- You must have a clear criminal record
- Insurance, vehicle tracking and medical assistance included with your agreement