The Pros and Cons of Leasing vs. Buying Your Commercial Fleet Vehicles

Building your fleet is an important aspect of growing your business. From landscaping to catering to HVAC services, having a reliable fleet of vehicles specialized to your company’s needs is essential. Here at Zeemac, a common dilemma we see business owners face when building their fleets is whether to lease or finance. While financing a vehicle is the typical route vehicle owners take, when it comes to building a commercial fleet for your business, leasing could be the better option. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between both options to help you make an informed decision!

Leasing vs Financing: What’s the Difference?

So exactly do we mean by leasing and financing? Let’s start with financing. Think about heading to your neighbourhood dealership for your next vehicle. The typical option here is to finance. Financing refers to purchasing a vehicle from a dealership through a lender that allows you to make specific, consistent payments until the vehicle has been paid off. Financing means having complete ownership of a vehicle. Once you’ve paid it off, it’s either yours to keep, sell or trade it in for an upgrade. Leasing is a bit different. When you decide to lease a vehicle, you are essentially borrowing it from the dealer for a specified term, making regular payments throughout while the lender retains ownership. Once the term has ended, the vehicle must either be returned or traded in for an upgrade, beginning the process again.

Leasing Pros and Cons

Pros

• Monthly payments are typically lower
• The lender or dealership is responsible for the majority of maintenance and repairs
• Leasing terms tend to be more flexible - return or trade in the vehicle with minimal penalties
• Initial capital investment is typically lower

Cons

• The lender owns the vehicle, but you have options to purchase at the end of the term
• You are required to keep the vehicle in good condition to avoid penalties
• Financing Pros and Cons

Financing Pros and Cons

Pros

• You can borrow money to purchase a vehicle and pay back the loan over time
• You own the vehicle once all payments have been made
• Financing terms are fixed

Cons

• Monthly payments are typically higher
• The vehicle is yours, so maintenance and repairs are your responsibility
• Because of the fixed terms, you must pay off your loan before you can sell or trade in your vehicle
• Initial capital investment is typically higher

Find Affordable Options for Your Next Fleet at Zeemac

Whatever option you choose, the Zeemac team is here to find the best leasing and financing options for your growing business. We’ll present you with flexible and affordable options that make sense for your needs and provide support as we work through the decision-making process together. Contact us today – we can’t wait to help your business thrive!