What Does Residual Value Mean When Buying a Car

A car’s residual value is the value of the car at the end of the lease term. The residual value is also the amount you can buy a car at the end of the lease. … Your lease payment is basically the depreciation, split up over the lease period with fees and interest included.

What does the residual value tell you?

The residual value, also known as salvage value, is the estimated value of a fixed asset at the end of its lease term or useful life. In lease situations, the lessor uses the residual value as one of its primary methods for determining how much the lessee pays in periodic lease payments.

What if my car is worth less than the residual value?

Closed-end leases — With a closed-end lease, if the car ends up being worth less than the residual value when the lease is up, you can still turn the car in and walk away with no obligation other than to pay what you’ve promised to pay for things like mileage overages.