Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about car lease transfers, the process, and how our platform works.
General Questions
Leasingübernahme.de is Germany's premier marketplace for car lease transfers. We connect people who want to exit their lease early with those looking to take over an existing lease. Our platform provides a secure and transparent way to transfer car leases, benefiting both parties while avoiding the early termination fees typically charged by leasing companies.
A lease transfer is the process of transferring the rights and obligations of a car lease from the original lessee to a new person. The process typically works as follows:
- The current lessee lists their lease on our platform with all relevant details.
- Interested parties browse listings and contact the lessee through our secure messaging system.
- Once both parties agree to the transfer, they complete our online application.
- The leasing company reviews the application and performs a credit check on the new lessee.
- If approved, both parties sign the transfer documents.
- The vehicle is physically transferred to the new lessee, who then assumes all lease responsibilities.
Taking over an existing lease offers several advantages:
- Shorter commitment period compared to a new lease (typically 6-24 months remaining)
- No down payment or significantly reduced upfront costs
- Potential cash incentives from the original lessee
- Immediate vehicle availability without factory order waiting times
- Often includes extras and accessories already added by the original lessee
- Opportunity to try a specific model before committing to a longer lease or purchase
Lease Transfer Process
No, not all leasing companies allow lease transfers. Most major leasing companies in Germany do permit transfers, but policies vary:
- Some allow full transfers, where the original lessee is completely released from all obligations.
- Others only allow partial transfers, where the original lessee remains partially liable if the new lessee defaults.
- Some companies have restrictions based on how much time is left on the lease or require minimum credit scores for the new lessee.
We verify the transferability of each lease before it's listed on our platform. The transfer policy is clearly indicated on each listing.
The lease transfer process typically takes 2-4 weeks from application to completion. This timeline can vary based on the leasing company's procedures, the responsiveness of both parties, and the complexity of the specific case. Credit approval for the new lessee usually takes 3-5 business days, while the paperwork processing and final transfer can take an additional 1-2 weeks. We provide a detailed timeline for each leasing company on our platform and keep both parties updated throughout the process.
Several fees may be involved in a lease transfer:
- Leasing company transfer fee: Typically €250-€500, charged by the leasing company to process the transfer.
- Credit application fee: Some leasing companies charge a fee to run a credit check on the new lessee.
- Platform fee: Leasingübernahme.de charges a success fee only when a transfer is completed successfully.
- Vehicle inspection: Optional but recommended, costs vary based on the service provider.
The parties can negotiate who pays which fees as part of their transfer agreement. Many original lessees offer to cover the transfer fee as an incentive.
Payments & Financial Questions
The credit requirements for taking over a lease are generally similar to those for obtaining a new lease. Most leasing companies in Germany require a SCHUFA score in the good to very good range. The exact requirements vary by leasing company and may also depend on the value of the vehicle and the remaining lease obligation. Generally, a clean credit history with no significant negative entries and stable income are the key factors. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we offer a pre-qualification tool on our platform that can give you an indication without affecting your credit score.
The monthly lease payment itself cannot typically be changed during a transfer, as it's set in the original lease contract with the leasing company. However, the original lessee may offer incentives to make the deal more attractive, such as:
- A cash incentive that effectively reduces the monthly cost
- Paying the transfer fee
- Including extras like winter tires, accessories, or prepaid maintenance
- Covering the first month's payment
These incentives should be clearly documented in the transfer agreement between both parties.
Electric Vehicle Leases
Yes, taking over an electric vehicle (EV) lease involves some unique considerations:
- Battery condition: Check the current battery health and capacity, as this affects range and performance.
- Charging equipment: Clarify if home charging equipment is included in the transfer.
- Charging subscriptions: Determine if any charging network subscriptions are transferable.
- Government incentives: Understand how any government EV incentives were applied to the original lease and if there are any implications for the transfer.
- Battery warranty: Verify the remaining battery warranty, which is typically separate from the vehicle warranty.
We recommend having an EV-specific inspection before finalizing the transfer to assess battery health and overall vehicle condition.
Evaluating an electric vehicle's battery condition is crucial when taking over a lease:
- Request the battery health report from the vehicle's onboard diagnostics or dealer service records.
- Check the maximum range when fully charged compared to the original specified range.
- Look for any battery-related warning lights or error messages in the vehicle's system.
- Test the charging speed at different charging levels (if possible).
- Consider a professional EV inspection service that specializes in battery diagnostics.
Most modern EVs have battery warranties that cover significant capacity loss (typically below 70-75% of original capacity) for 8 years or 160,000 km. Verify the remaining warranty coverage before taking over the lease.
Platform & Account Questions
We implement several measures to ensure security and build trust on our platform:
- Verification: We verify the identity of all users and the existence of the lease before listings go live.
- Secure messaging: Our platform provides a secure messaging system so parties can communicate without sharing personal contact information initially.
- Standardized agreements: We provide standardized transfer agreements that protect both parties' interests.
- Escrow service: For transfers involving cash incentives, we offer an optional escrow service to hold funds until the transfer is complete.
- Ratings and reviews: Users can rate and review each other after completed transactions.
- Support team: Our dedicated support team is available to assist with any issues throughout the process.
We also maintain strict data protection practices in compliance with GDPR and other relevant regulations.
If you encounter any issues during the transfer process, we're here to help. Our support team can be reached through multiple channels:
- Contact our support team directly through your account dashboard
- Email us at support@leasingubernahme.de
- Call our customer service line at +49 30 1234567 (Mon-Fri, 9:00-18:00)
- Use the live chat feature on our website during business hours
For complex issues, we can assign a dedicated transfer specialist to your case who will work with both parties and the leasing company to resolve any problems. We also offer a mediation service for disputes between transferring parties.
Still Have Questions?
If you couldn't find the answer you were looking for, our support team is ready to help you with any questions about lease transfers or our platform.