Your End-of-Lease Timeline: When to Start Thinking About Your Next Car

If your car lease still has a year to run, you probably don’t want to think about renewal just yet, and that’s completely fair. But knowing roughly when to start thinking about it can save you stress (and money) later down the line. 

Here’s a simple month-by-month guide that shows what to expect in the run-up to your lease end, and why the 6-month mark is the sweet spot for your next move. 

12 Months Before - Nothing to Do (Yet!) 

Right now, you don’t need to do anything. Your car is still new, your lease is ticking along nicely, and we won’t ask you to make any decisions. 

But it’s a good time to just be aware that your lease will end in a year’s time. Start keeping an eye on the types of cars that catch your attention - maybe your family’s needs have changed, or you’ve been eyeing up an EV. 

No decisions, no paperwork. Just something to look forward to. After all, in 12 months, you could be driving another brand-new car. 

9 Months Before - Start Thinking About What’s Next 

At around nine months before your lease ends, it’s worth giving your options a little thought. Would you like to renew your lease with a new car, extend your current one, or hand it back when it’s due? You don’t need to decide yet - just think about what suits your situation. 

If you think you might want a new car, this is when it helps to know that the best time to start the renewal process is at the 6-month mark. That’s when you’ll have the widest choice and the best chance to lock in prices before they rise. 

6 Months Before - The Optimal Renewal Window 

This is the golden point in your lease timeline. 

Most vehicles have a factory lead time of at least 14–16 weeks, so starting your renewal around six months before gives plenty of time to order, build, and deliver your next car without any gaps. 

It also means: 

• You can factory order your next car - choosing your exact spec and colour - instead of being limited to stock vehicles. 

• You can fix your price early, which often works out cheaper since prices tend to rise each year. 

• You have the widest choice of models and deals before stock becomes limited. 

Starting now doesn’t mean you have to hand your current car back early - it just means we can line up your next one perfectly so your new car arrives as your current lease ends. 

4–3 Months Before - Confirm Your Choice 

If you’ve already placed your order, great - your new car will likely be in production or on its way. If you haven’t, you’re still in a good window to act. At this stage, it’s mainly about confirming your order and checking in on lead times. Leaving it much later, though, can reduce your options - especially if you’re after something specific or popular. 

2 Months Before - Last-Minute Decisions 

This is where things start to tighten up. If you haven’t renewed or extended yet, your options may now be limited to in-stock vehicles - which usually means less flexibility on spec and colour. Prices may also have risen compared to what they were six months ago. You might also find yourself needing to extend your current lease temporarily, which can be fine, but keep in mind that your manufacturer warranty may have expired by now. 

1 Month Before - Prepare for Handover 

If you’ve ordered your next car - nice work! We’ll arrange delivery dates, collection of your current vehicle, and make sure everything runs smoothly. If you’re still unsure, don’t panic - just get in touch as soon as possible. We’ll help you explore what’s still available and guide you through any last-minute options. 

What Happens If You Leave Renewal Too Late 

Life gets busy - we totally get it. But waiting until the final month or two can mean: 

• Fewer cars to choose from. 

• Higher prices due to market changes. 

• Possible downtime between cars or forced lease extensions. 

That’s why we like to reach out around 12 months before - not to rush you, but to help you stay ahead and get the best value. 

How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Your Renewal Window 

Honestly? Just keep an eye on your emails from us (we promise they’re helpful!). We’ll send you: 

• Early renewal deals similar to your current car. 

• Clear updates on when to act. 

• Guidance from our team to make the process easy. 

And if you ever want to chat about your renewal timeline, you can contact us any time - no pressure, no pushy sales talk, just straight-forward advice. 

In a Nutshell 

• 12 months: Do nothing - just stay aware. 

• 9 months: Think about what you might want next. 

• 6 months: Best time to act - more choice, better prices. 

• 3–1 months: Confirm or extend before options narrow.