A pull-ahead is a manufacturer program that lets you end your current lease early, with some or all of your remaining payments waived, as long as you lease or buy a new car from the same brand.

It is one of the few ways out of a lease early that can cost little or nothing. It is part of your car lease end options.

How it works

The brand's finance arm decides that it would rather put you in a new car now than wait for your current lease to run out. So it offers to waive a set number of remaining payments if you return your car early and take a new one from the same brand.

A typical program might look like:

  • Eligibility: leases ending within the next few months.
  • Offer: remaining payments waived, sometimes up to a set number or dollar amount.
  • Condition: you lease or buy a new vehicle from the same brand, often through its finance arm.

Programs vary by brand and change often. Some run most of the year, some only at particular times.

What is waived, and what is not

Usually waived: some or all of your remaining monthly payments, within the program's limits.

Usually not waived:

  • Excess mileage charges. Some programs prorate your allowance to the early return date, which helps, but check. See car lease mileage limits.
  • Excess wear and tear. Your car is still inspected. See lease return inspection.
  • The disposition fee, unless the program or a loyalty offer waives it.
  • Anything you owe that is not a scheduled payment, such as late fees.

When a pull-ahead is a good deal

When the waived payments are real money. Three waived $500 payments is $1,500 you would otherwise have paid for a car you are about to give back.

When you wanted a new car from that brand anyway. The condition costs you nothing if you were staying.

When your mileage is low. If the program prorates, you may return the car comfortably under allowance.

When to think twice

If your car has equity. If it is worth more than its buyout price, returning it through a pull-ahead hands that equity to the lender. You may do better buying it out or trading it in. See equity in a leased car.

If the new lease is not competitive. The waived payments are only a saving if the new lease is a good deal on its own. Price the new car as you would any other. See how to negotiate a car lease.

If the program excludes other incentives. Sometimes a pull-ahead cannot be combined with certain lease cash or loyalty offers. Compare the total. See car lease incentives.

How to find out if you qualify

  1. Check your lender's account portal and any recent mail. Brands often contact eligible lessees directly.
  2. Ask a dealer for that brand, or ask us.
  3. Get the terms in writing, including exactly which payments are waived and how mileage is treated.

The short version

A pull-ahead waives some of your remaining lease payments if you get a new car from the same brand early. It can be excellent value, as long as the new lease is competitive and your current car has no equity you would be giving up.

If you want us to check whether a pull-ahead is available on your lease, get in touch.